Hi All,
In the throes of buying my first digital loco. Up to now i have only used analogue. I plan to sit up a separate circuit for digital. It seems the minimium I can use is a 6021 controller (fairly cheap on ebay) and power it with an old analogue transformer on controller. Is this correct or feasible? Should I do something different? The new controler 60212 looks good but very expensive new. Any ideas would be welcome.
Thanks all

Sorry, yet a third question, is there an hand held controller that can be added to a 6021. is whats its number?
regards

If you are starting the conversion to Digital, I suggest an Intellibox(IB). More features in one box, for less price.

I use an adapter from Uhlenbrock to run three Roco Lokmouse II. This gives me 5 Lok throttles, including the two that come with the IB. Plus, the IB has computer interface (6051) and k83/k84 (partial 6040) control included.

The Uhlenbrock site has an english manual you can download. Have a look at the list of equipment you can connect. Includes most Marklin items except 6051 (Already has computer interface).

You also get the flexability of mixing DCC and Marklin decoders in your Loks.

In my opinion, the benifits the 6021 are lower price on eBay (Lots being dumped now[:p]) and you can use it with an IB as a booster.

Thanks all for your answers. Digital seems a strange world. Thomas mentioned an intelligebox. Whilst I have heard of it can someone explain,benefits, costs and where one can obtain one if necessary. does that have its own power or does it need a transformer as well? Is there an english speaking dealers web site to look up about this
thanks

Regarding IB vs 6021: Until recently, IB was clearly more value for money, even though it was higher priced than the 6021. But now after the introduction of Märklin Systems, the 6021 can be found at a very low price.

If your intention is to build a complete digital system (with accessory control, computer control and/or other expansions), the IB is still a much better alternative than the 6021. But if you are just looking for a possibility to run your digital locos, a cheap 6021 might be a good alternative. It is true that you do not get the full juice out of it unless you have a 52VA or more transformer. But I think the worry about "not getting enough juice" is highly exaggerated. An old 30 VA transformer will be OK if you don't have a lot of trains running at the same time or lots of lighted coaches.

Same applies to the IB. Needs also several VA's for its own consumption.

Why not buy one of the new M start sets. If you can find a loco you like the digital control is almost free.
David

I started digital with a 6023 (sort of 1/2 IB) that came with controller and one digital Lok.

A used 6021 is a good start if you find one with a good price. Not to worry that you might waste your investment, you can use the 6021 as booster for the IB.

If Marklin makes everything you want, and you want ONLY Marklin, then the MS/CS will be fine for you. If you want to mix Marklin with Roco, Brawa, Piko or other Loks, you will wind up with an IB for the DCC compatablity.

On power, the brown/yellow connection of your current AC transformer will do just fine to start. As you want to run more than 3-4 Loks at the same time, you can upgrade power supply and add boosters.

Good luck shopping, and don't forget to let us know how you are doing. And, we will be happy to share advice as you have more questions.

Here is my add on to the confusion.
It's correct that Intellibox in my eyes is the best digitalsystem. Main benefits is it's ability to handel both Märklin and DCC decoders, and the LocoNet controlbus (and others) which allows for good units like a handheld.

But you don't have to start with Intellibox if you are interested; try a Daisy system instead. It's much cheaper, has a good handheld control which may be used with an Intellibox later. You can control both turnouts and locos with it. It's far better then the 6021 in most aspects; only exception is the 16 loco limit for locos handled at a time, and the 2 A delivery. A Daisy set also contains a power unit needed to deliver power to track; in case of an Intellibox it comes in handy as an extra booster. you can download manuals from www.uhlenbrock.de (in english).

Regards,
Lars

www.uhlenbrock.de / handbuecher / english / 64000 Daisy system manual

The Daisy system /set consists of two units; one stationary Power2 connected to trafo and layout, and one handheld Daisy, with spiral cable between. These items may be used in three different ways:
1. As a digital system allowing for Märklin and DCC in the same time.
2. Supplentary throttle and booster to a LocoNet system like Intellibox, or american Digitrax system (or 6021 adapter system).
3. As an analog control system, mainly for DC.

You store up to 16 locos, with their address 1-9999 (1-255 for Märklin protocol, 1-80 if it's an original Märklin decoder) and protocol (new Märklin, old Motorola, DCC 14/28 or 128). Thereafter you select the loco to control with 'press loco key / turn knob / press loco key'. With more than 16 locos you must reconfigure, which take some extra key presses.

the f1-f4 keys are used for f1-f4 (f1-f8 if DCC); however, by pressing the turnout key they are instead used for setting turnouts/signals. LEDs indicate with red and green the settings of turnouts, and with yellow/off the settings of functions. The buttons are toggling the state, so 4 turnouts are controlled at a time. To select a differnt 4-range 'press turnout / turn knob / press turnout' During turnout operation, the rest of the keys are used as normal to control the trains.

As opposed to Intellibox you must choose either Motorola or DCC decoders for turnouts, and Selectrix is not available. DCC programming may be performed on the main track, but DCC decoders can not be read.

Main benefits of the Daisy compared to 6021 is
- A LocoNet connector which allows for expansion with lots of interesting units, mainly from Uhlenbrock or Digitrax. LocoNet is also a very convenient way of distributing the controller over the layout. If you drive a train with an extra handheld (not the system handheld), and want to move, you just unplug the control, and plug it in in any other socket, and go on.
- Software may be downloaded via an Intellibox. I would be surprised if Uhlenbrock wouldn't release a new upgrade in the next year, better suited for handling the new Märklin developments.
- Handheld, spiral cable.
- Turnout operation
- Supports DCC
- Smart dial: when adressing a running train, you see the speed of it. Turning clockwise increases speed etc. With 6021 you get a jerk, becuause the trains speed is always different from the current setting of the dial.

Regards,
Lars

If you only want to drive your loc digital. Then I agree with David Dewar.

I think you get very good advice in this forum. I am considering a similar entry into M* digital, and have decided, based on the discussions in other topics (I highly recommend spending a few hours looking through other topics if you haven't already) that I will begin with a starter set; one of the lower priced ones that I can test to destruction.
I do have a question for the forum. Most of my locos are analog, and I would like to keep most of them that way. This suggests two isolated sections or layouts-strictly isolated. Is it correct that I can NOT run analog engines on the new MS system, not even on 'passive' control (letting it run around the track on it's own while other locos are controlled digitaally). How about Delta? I think I can run Delta engines, but not sure. Would appreciate it if any members could confirm this or not, and say why. Thanks

If you want to connect digital and analog tracks, you have to insulate the PUKO lines; you can solve the problem with the pickup shoe using thingies called "Schleiferwippen" in German (some of those are included in the Premium Digital Starter Kids, don't know if they are available separately).
Technically you have some insulating material over the PUKOs at the insulated connection of the tracks to prevent shortcuts between digital and analog current.

Correct, but theoretically digital locos can pass through analog sections. Of course, this only works with locos that automatically detect digital/analog operation (this doesn't work with (older) Delta decoders and some 3rd party digital decoders, but current M* digital decoders can do this).

Or worse: 140% full speed (digital voltage is higher).

I agree John. Keep the two separate and you will have no problems. It is also interesting to run Analogue now and then and of course some bargains can be found when buying locos.
David

That's what I like about this forum. Not only do you get good answers, but also good suggestions. Thanks all.

Hi Olav,

congratulations - one great set [:p] !!! Would like it, too - but there were 9 new locos this year so I'm done for 2004 ... [xx(]

Best Regards
John

Reporting back as a potential digital beginner I have been trawling ebay for items. Picked up a 6021 controller and transformer. I was looking for a 6017 booster but none around. Some say you can use a 6015 booster with the 6021 if you connect one end of the cable upside down. Anyone any thoughts on this? Another suggestion was to use a delta 6604 as a booster, any ideas onthis? also no 6036s(c80f) around, I guess you are all using these at present
regards

Yes it can. The 63810 acutally is a MobStat to LocoNet adapter, also meaning that together with an 63820 it will be the first possible way of connecting a MobStat to a 6021! I don't know yet if there are any functions avaiable with the IB that aren't available with the Daisy system. Turnouts may be controlled by the MobStat as well.

/Lars

I just picked up a couple of Delta 4F for use as boosters. Several on eBay today for 16euro.