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Offline kevwill  
#1 Posted : 25 August 2016 12:41:26(UTC)
kevwill


Joined: 17/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 153
Location: Norfolk, England
I started collecting Marklin in around 2004/5. I have ten locomotives most of which have the very old fx decoder. I do have some mfx decoder locos as well.
Well due to a bad accident any plans to start my layout had to be put on hold. I now have recovered ,built my train hut in the garden and have the time to restart my layout, but obviously have dated stock nearly all that are still boxed never used.
I know these types of questions have been asked many times but could someone advise me on the following points
is it possible to update my locos to the newest decoders,
is it fairly easy to do if I can,
and if not do any of you know where I could send them to if its too complicated for the average user to do.
I live in the UK and I would really appreciate any guidance given
My wife, children, and all my friends, think as i'm into Model trains, i'm very boring and should grow up. NEVER NEVER!!!
Online xxup  
#2 Posted : 25 August 2016 12:55:40(UTC)
xxup

Australia   
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 9,456
Location: Australia
If you know how to solder and have the equipment, and understand DC electrical theory, then you should be okay. The instructions from ESU are pretty good and my guess is that the instructions for the Marklin ones are just as good.

The thing about installing decoders is that you really need to make sure that the running gear is working perfectly before you start any upgrade work. Any tightness of the drivetrain will cause the decoder to overheat and destroy itself.

With the ESU decoders, you need an eCOS or a Lokprogrammer, while the latest Marklin decoders use a neat tool that hangs off a USB port.

Do some searching on this forum - there are lots of posts about decoder conversions.
Adrian
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Offline kevwill  
#3 Posted : 25 August 2016 14:24:39(UTC)
kevwill


Joined: 17/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 153
Location: Norfolk, England
Thanks Adrian, I know how to solder so I will start converting them one at a time.
I'll have a good nosey on the forum for tips etc ,I just wanted to know it's possible and financially viable, the locos are very sentimental so I'll clean the running gear and re oil once I've found a tip on here how to do it properly.

Thanks again
My wife, children, and all my friends, think as i'm into Model trains, i'm very boring and should grow up. NEVER NEVER!!!
Offline RayF  
#4 Posted : 25 August 2016 14:53:18(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
Hi Kev,

Perhaps you need to ask yourself whether you actually need to replace the decoders? Decoders from 2004 onwards will probably have load regulation, acceleration and braking delay, etc and the performance will not be very different to current decoders.

Of course if you want to add sound functions to a loco that originally had no sound that is a different matter, but otherwise I would not bother.

More importantly I would think you should upgrade your controller, as that is more likely to have fallen behind current products. What controller are you using?
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
thanks 3 users liked this useful post by RayF
Offline foumaro  
#5 Posted : 25 August 2016 15:20:09(UTC)
foumaro

Greece   
Joined: 08/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 4,420
Location: Attiki Athens Greece
I agree with Ray,fx decoders are perfect,you have no need to replace them,it is a mistake to throw away your money.Keep the locomotives original and buy new when it is possible with mfx decoders.Update of controllers is a perfect idea too.Consider twice before you decide.BigGrin
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by foumaro
Offline kevwill  
#6 Posted : 25 August 2016 15:53:57(UTC)
kevwill


Joined: 17/05/2008(UTC)
Posts: 153
Location: Norfolk, England
Quote:
image.jpegimage.jpeg
Originally Posted by: kevwill Go to Quoted Post
Thanks Adrian, I know how to solder so I will start converting them one at a time.
I'll have a good nosey on the forum for tips etc ,I just wanted to know it's possible and financially viable, the locos are very sentimental so I'll clean the running gear and re oil once I've found a tip on here how to do it properly.

Thanks again


Thanks for your advice Ray and foumaro, I have just completed the train hut after getting planning permission from the wife. It's been up a couple of months and been painted inside and out and the electrics just gone in.The pictures above show the hut after I had reclaimed some land fron the existing flower garden in the negotiations . It's 5x3.5 metres.
Luckily I never bought a main controller but I was bought two handheld controllers in one of my main starter sets, I plan to buy a main controller when I've finished.
If you think the old decoders are good enough I will wait and see if I like them when the set comes to life, I do like the thought of having sound though.

Thanks again
My wife, children, and all my friends, think as i'm into Model trains, i'm very boring and should grow up. NEVER NEVER!!!
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by kevwill
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