Hi: Can one buy a Telex or something functionally like a Telex coupler that you can add onto an existing Maerklin Lok through the NEM coupler pocket? Clearly, you would have to electrically power it, but aside from those complications, is there something?--MM

Hi Michael,

AFAIK these couplers are not available separately, as the control of these couplers requires a special piece of electronics. A similar situation is present for the Roco telex couplers (NEM-pocket based). You might consider the Krois ones. (Website only in German: http://www.krois-modell.at/produkt/digikupp/)

Ray: If you look at the parts list for the 37903 you see: 117993, Telexkupplung. So there is a part and part number, but the red light is on, so it may not be available. The price was listed at 14,95 €. Let's hope it becomes available soon.

Sander, I also found the HGH page you mentioned, where a Roco Telex coupler was added to a tiny 30000. I guess the Lok already had a decoder, so they added another decoder for this. It seems one could just map a function /AUX output from a more sophisticated decoder to do this.

Thanks.--MM

Ray: If you look at the webpage (you have to hunt around):

http://hgh-esn.ath.cx/p02_ma_3000x_u.htm

you will see that a small circuit board, in addition to the decoder, was added to that 30000. That's what he means, I am sure. However, if you were adding a decoder, or had an existing decoder with extra AUX outputs unclaimed, you should be able to hook them up.--MM

Sander & all, please elaborate...

As I understand it, you only need the additional pcb when using the roco couplers?
Is it not needed for the (old) Märklin telex couplers? Maybe these have sturdier coils and don't risk getting fried if activated for a (too) long time.

I have converted an old BR86 with a TAMS LD-W-2 decoder and 5* motor. In this decoder, you can program the maximum time the telex output delivers full current, after that the current going through the coil is limited. It's called a 'kick' function.
Works well in the old BR86: The hook flips up with full juice and after about 1 second, the current is limited but is still enough to hold the hook up (you can actually hear when the limiter kicks in).
Unfortunately, the TAMS decoder does not perform as well when it comes to driving characteristics[:(], so I'm thinking of replacing it. Are there any other decoders out there which have this 'kick' function and perform better for motor control? Or can I just use a lokpilot and wire the telex coils directly to the decoder output?

Also, I just checked my BR50 (from digital starter set) and it has a newer type telex coupler which looks a lot like the roco type. Would this coupler require a special pcb to protect it? Mine came digital from factory, so I don't know what type of decoder is used and if it has telex coil protection.

Pieter-Jan, Your question convinced me to look at the LokPilot manual, and in section 12.3.1 gives the different types of outputs you can assign to a function and they include (quoted):

• Pulse: output turns off automatically after a certain time. This is ideal for Telex un-couplers.
• Coupler function: for controlling couplers by Krois® and ROCO®

So you should be able to sue an inexpensive LokPilot to do this.--MM

Michael, sander,

Thanks for this very usefull info. I'll try the lokpilot.