Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 757 Location: Wawa, Ontario
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I have just discovered this item on the Conrad website and would like to know more about it. Translating the brief description does not give much insight on what the product really does. Has anyone tried this product or know more about it, I would like to hear your thoughts on it. http://shop.conrad.nl/mo...an-decoders/248629.html#
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Joined: 20/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,248 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Göteborg, Sverige,
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Hi Matthew, This item is an MFX booster, well sort off, what it does is the following: a regular booster is not capable of transfering MFX signals. So, the section fed by the booster would not have an MFX functionality. With this MFX link, which is supposed to be bridging the insulation between the booster section and the "regular" section, it is possible to use MFX even on sections fed by non-MFX boosters. A Google translation of the product description can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/nxx9n6 |
Sander
--- Era I(b): K.Bay.Sts.B. and K.W.St.E. |
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Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,607 Location: Australia
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Looks useful, but I would like to see a wiring diagram to show how it connects to the booster. I can only see three pins - so I can't work out how to wire it up. |
Adrian Australia flag by abFlags.com |
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Joined: 31/05/2007(UTC) Posts: 534
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Hi Adrian, than take a look in the instructions on page 19: http://www.tams-online.d...rLink/Boosterlink_DE.PDFthis booster link is working fine with my 6015 boosters and the best think I do not need to make 2 way insulation between the booster sections. I can keep the ground continued between the sections what make my internal lightening of coaches working correctly again with the current coducting couplings. rgds Stephan
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Joined: 10/07/2009(UTC) Posts: 22 Location: Helsinge, Denmark
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Hi, there exists some info on the internet about the subject. One guy has made his own solution, that apparently does the same as the Conrad circuit: http://home.swipnet.se/perz/mfx_boost.html.I think there are also other links available on the net, but I could not find them just right now. The tech stuff behind: mfx is using 2 technologies, as I understand it: 1) For very short periods of time (milliseconds), power is removed from the track by the CS. In these periods, the locomotive is using the power that is stored in its' capacitor on the decoder print. 2) When the tracks are without power, the locomotive decoder will start to send data back on the tracks, with a quite high frequency (higher than the frequency the CS is normally modulating the tracks when sending Motorola format data to the turnouts and locomotives. These data packages are then received by the CS. In a system, where an old booster is used, such as 6017 or homebuilt boosters (like my Elektor 200W booster), the high frequency signal is blocked in its' way from the track to the CS by the booster. This circuitry allows a back-path for these high frequency signals to bypass the blocking circuirty of the 6017 booster. EXPERIMENT: Try to place a locomotive on a track connected to the 6017 immediately next to a track connected to the "prog" input of the CS2. You will then see that sometimes mfx works. This is because the radio frequency mfx signals are transmitted by air from the 6017 track to the programming track. IMPORTANT: Never allow electrical contact between the 6017 track and the programming track, as this may damage the output stage of your CS2 programming track irrepairably. BR, Rasmus.
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Joined: 20/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,248 Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Göteborg, Sverige,
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote: Originally posted by villefra<br />Hi, there exists some info on the internet about the subject. One guy has made his own solution, that apparently does the same as the Conrad circuit: http://home.swipnet.se/perz/mfx_boost.html. ... and most of us know who this guy is...  He's a member in this forum (Perz), so, it shouldn't be too hard to acquire more information on this subject. |
Sander
--- Era I(b): K.Bay.Sts.B. and K.W.St.E. |
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Joined: 19/03/2004(UTC) Posts: 976 Location: Gorizia, Italy
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Hello,
I have seen elsewhere the connection diagram for a similar product (I can not remember which and where). I can bet however that one wire is connected to the brown "O" terminal of the track, another wire to the red "B" terminal of the track powered by the booster and the last wire is connected to the red "B" terminal of the track powered by the Central Station (or by another booster). Of course the connection is made at the point where the tracks fed as described are insulated.
Now I would like to know if I won my bet.
EDIT: post written while other members were posting on the same subject.
Bye
Renato
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Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC) Posts: 9,607 Location: Australia
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Thanks guys... My guess is that I would need lots of these as I use the centre rail as s88 detection using the Viessmann S88 units.. Perhaps they can be joined at the output of the booster and the eCOS?? Rather than at each track join??? |
Adrian Australia flag by abFlags.com |
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Joined: 23/02/2005(UTC) Posts: 801
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Hi,
Once a mfx loco has been registered on the programming track (or a track directly connected to the controller main output), it seems to me that the mfx dialog between loco and controller is no longer useful. Then the mfx ability for a booster appears to be unnecessary? Did I miss something?
Fred
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,466 Location: DE-NW
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by villefra <br />The tech stuff behind: mfx is using 2 technologies, as I understand it: 1) For very short periods of time (milliseconds), power is removed from the track by the CS. In these periods, the locomotive is using the power that is stored in its' capacitor on the decoder print. 2) When the tracks are without power, the locomotive decoder will start to send data back on the tracks, with a quite high frequency (higher than the frequency the CS is normally modulating the tracks when sending Motorola format data to the turnouts and locomotives. These data packages are then received by the CS. AFAIK only Railcom has short breaks w/o power. With mfx you always have power on the track and the locos modulates the track power. Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by efel <br />Once a mfx loco has been registered on the programming track (or a track directly connected to the controller main output), it seems to me that the mfx dialog between loco and controller is no longer useful. Then the mfx ability for a booster appears to be unnecessary? Did I miss something? CS and MS "ping" the locos. Without answer, the MS will show a flashing speed bar and CS won't allow changing loco settings. But you can still control the locos - so you can do it even if boosters don't have feedback. But: if the layout was off for a long time, you might find that some locos won't respond - then you'll have to move them (from a shadow station?) to the programming track. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
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Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC) Posts: 11,165
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote: Originally posted by Sander van Wijk... and most of us know who this guy is...  He's a member in this forum (Perz), so, it shouldn't be too hard to acquire more information on this subject. Which reminds me of this event where we met... https://www.marklin-user...ault.aspx?g=posts&t=9235 |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service... He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
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Joined: 23/02/2005(UTC) Posts: 801
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by H0
But: if the layout was off for a long time, you might find that some locos won't respond
I didn't know that! Thanks Fred
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Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 757 Location: Wawa, Ontario
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I wonder then if this solution allows for two or more 6017 with boster-link (per 6017 booster) to be connected to the same section of track where the MFX signal will be read from (a 60173 booster section or to the output of a CS or MS Station). Or does this solution only allow for just one 6017 booster section and booster-link to be connected to a CS, MS Station or 60173 booster section.
I have ordered some parts so that I may give this a try, will be some time before the parts arrive and I have the time to get around and trying this concept.
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Joined: 25/09/2003(UTC) Posts: 2,786 Location: ,
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btw we have to be carreful with all mentions "mfx" which are not given from Marklin...Sometimes I have noticed it is said "mfx" or "m4" in place of "motorola" ...just because "mfx" is Motorola compatible... (I don't say it is the case here)
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Joined: 31/05/2007(UTC) Posts: 534
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Hello Maxi,
with one booster link you can connect 1 booster to mfx communication. If you want to connect more booster, you need more booster link.
The booster link is doing nothing else than recording the mfx signal coming from booster 6017 section and passing it to CS or booster 60173.
rgds
Stephan
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,466 Location: DE-NW
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by jeehring <br />btw we have to be carreful with all mentions "mfx" which are not given from Marklin...Sometimes I have noticed it is said "mfx" or "m4" in place of "motorola" ...just because "mfx" is Motorola compatible...
Is mfx Motorola compatible? I don't think so. It seems that mfx is a trademark owned by M*. Since the bust-up, ESU call their "mfx" stuff "M4". Different names for the same protocol. All mfx decoders also support MM protocol - 2 protocols in a single decoder. Edit: mfx is a registered trademark owned by Märklin. Edit 2: TOM is a registered trademark owned by Märklin. (Better call me Thomas ...[}:)]) |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
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Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 757 Location: Wawa, Ontario
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by supermoee [ with one booster link you can connect 1 booster to mfx communication. If you want to connect more booster, you need more booster link.
This part I understand perfectly. Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote: The booster link is doing nothing else than recording the mfx signal coming from booster 6017 section and passing it to CS or booster 60173.
This is where I still have the question of can the outputs of more than one booster link be connected to a single CS or booster 60173. regards Matthew
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Joined: 31/05/2007(UTC) Posts: 534
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Hallo Matthew,
I missunderstood your question. Clear, you can connect as much booster link you want to a CS or a booster 60173.
The only point you have to take care is to connect them all at the same CS or Booster 60173. If not you would connect the ground of CS and boosters 60173 against the rules of Märklin.
Kind regards
Stephan
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Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC) Posts: 757 Location: Wawa, Ontario
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That was the impression I was starting to get.
Thanks
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