Will next year upgrade my CS to the new one. From what I can see the CS3 PLUS has the S88 built in and that is about all. AS I have a S88 decoder I don't see the point in buying the more expensive version. Am I right in thinking this. Any reply welcome.

Hi, David,

Welcome back.

It's become more complicated.
The Plus version has the Link S88 built in so you can connect S88 directly to the CS3 plus.
The Plus version does not have an S88 decoder built in, it just has the connector for the S88 decoders built in.

You can buy the Link S88 separately for the CS3 and it will still be cheaper than the CS3 plus.
You need the Link S88 to connect your S88 to the CS3.

Hi David,

Good to hear from you again!

I sometimes see his posts on Facebook.
He has moved to N gauge some time ago.

Nice to hear from you David!

Yes, where is the Pink Panter? And John Black is another one that springs to my mind.

/Torbjörn

The CS3 manual says that the CS3 can not be used with transformers. You will need a power supply (DC) for the CS3.

No it does not have a S88 built in, It has the (new RJ45) S88 port to which you can attach NEW S88s (60881 / 60882)
If you have some legacy S88 (6088 / 60880) , then you need a 60883 (S88 Link = L88) to connect to ANY CS3 (60216/60226) REGARDLESS

Are you planning to keep your CS2(s) (as extra throttles) ?
If so, you can retain your existing S88 connections through it - via the system bus adapter cable 60123 to the CS3/CS3+.

New S88s MAY be connected behind old S88s on a chain - with adapter 60884 (just not the other way around)

Note: There is a separate power statement about NOT allowing the track output of a CS3 (60226) to connect to an older CS2 ( approx 60213 but is actually a Hardware level issue that some 60214s have). The CS3+ (60216) may connect in an environment with ONE (CS3=60226 or older CS2)

Edited by user 06 October 2016 06:44:10(UTC)  | Reason: Cable part number correction

Good to see you again, David

Per.

Thanks again for the welcome. Peter I see is still able to come up with the technical stuff much of which a mere mortal like me has no clue.
However it is clear that I will need to start again with power through to control and whatever is now needed to replace my old S88. Better to go this way than mix old with new I think. I will use my current CS2 on the work bench as with four shuttles and the two controls on the Cs I don't need to hook up any other CS or MS.to the layout.
I am doing quite a bit of work changing the layout and having ordered a new loco and coaches for Christmas thought in the new year I would go for the new CS3.
Will wait until some of you guys get a CS3 when hopefully I can learn more.
Bottles of the holy water have now been despatched to all.

Agreed,

If the CS3 port is set for 12V then the related statement from the L88 manual applies
12 volts only in conjunction with the S88 AC/DC (S88 AC = 60881, S88 DC=60882)

In the CS3/+ manual Marklin simply state ...
Zudem verfügt sie über einen eigenen S88-Anschluss und damit über eine direkte Anschlussmöglichkeit für die Rückmeldemodule 60881 und 60882.

which covers them for someone playing with an unsupported product.
The 6088/60880 are implied as unsupported because Marklin to not offer an adapter cable that is the opposite of the 60884.

Märklin are famous for backwards compatibility.
With CS3, support for transformers ends and you cannot connect 6015/6017 or old S88 directly.

According to the information available now the CS3 Plus comes with a crippled Link S88 built in and an external Link S88 is still needed for backwards compatibility.

Maybe other options will be supported/documented once the CS3 is widely available.

S88 from third parties may support 12 V and may work with the CS3 Plus ...

Information about differences between 60216 and 60226 is clear as mud and deciding which version to get is not a simple task with the available information - especially for those who already have a CS2 without galvanic insulation.

I am sorry that I cant help you with the original topic, but just HAD to shout out a welcome back!

In the context of the post about price comparisons for a minimum S88 configuration I stand by my comment.

To be FUNCTIONAL you need a minimum of
With CS3(60226) ....

OR

With CS3+(60216) ....
CS3+ (60216) AND 60831/2
Therefore
should actually read
CS3 Plus: 799,99 € + S88 (60831) 49,99 € = 849,98 €

So the original comparison conclusion of ONLY a 15 € benefit saving now becomes a 65 € benefit


I went on to offer a set of other business case benefits leveraging this initial investment decision.
I did not offer any "pluses" for the 60216 solution as it relates to S88 topic because I could not think of any.


While this is addressed at a new "has nothing" scenario, I will point out that there will more than likely be an equal or higher number of prospective buyers that already have a MS2. If I were to include this in the economics, I can reuse the 66361 and save another 49,99 € (NOTE: I use the figure quoted above. This item is not produced any more )

Some may need to weigh this economic (price) benefit against other needs/functions, however with the savings you are well on the way to buying a booster (60174/5)
NOTING that a CS3(60236) may support both a L88 (60883) and Booster (60174/5) without the need for an additional Terminal (60125 )

Edited by user 11 October 2016 04:33:06(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Fair enough, as long as prospective users appreciate that it is not a binary yes/no decision.

A CS3 (60226) can ...
- use S88s
- connect to existing equipment
- connect to a friends (controller)
- connect to whatever (PC, ...)

Financially (budget) there is also a benefit in not having to fork out a big lump sum when the equivalent solution may be achieved in steps.

It can, but still we have the limitations with regards to hardware compatibility. I believe that for users unsure where to take their layout, for users with the 60213 and some with 60214, for users unsure on what HW versions their friends might have, for a club investing in Märklin Digital for the club layout and relying on members bringing their CS's: A CS3 Plus will give them the least of problems in these scenarios.


Absolutely. I know a lot of people where the CS3 (60226) would make perfect sense.

Hi clapcott,

what is your real problem?

I accept that some people still want to use their devices from Maerklin Delta, Maerklin System and the earlier Maerklin Digital. But you cannot mix them up as you want, because of the sometimes existing and sometimes not existing galvanic isolation. And this is to be continued by Maerklin.

I do not have a 60212, 60213, 60214, 60215 and even not yet a 60216. For my interest is the differences between the 60216 and 60226. This I cleared up as written before. If you want to get help for your specific problem, please let me know. Perhaps I can help you too.

So I found a Maerklin publication “Technical Tip # 315” for the Central Station 60213 - 60215 Part 1. I expect then also a part 2. But this I never found, as well as these technical tips I never found in English. But in the tip # 315 I see that there are various ports at a 60215 for a CS 60212, 60213 but never for a 60214. On the other hand in the manual for the 60215 Maerklin mentioned for the delivery contents a “Zusatzblatt (Hinweis) Central Station 60213”. This means an “extra sheet (reference) Central Station 60213”. I have no idea about this paper, but it is definitely a hint that a 60213 has to be treated separately.

So I keep with my statement, that the missing galvanic isolation requires a different combination and attachment within the various CS types. How it has to be done? For this I do have to do more inquiries, but please tell me first, what your concern is.

Regards

TEEWolf

If I buy the CS3, How can I transfer data (Locos, turnout/signal/layout) to CS3 from CS2?

I read the manual with english translate said use the USB Stick?

Which manual in English? On the Maerklin internet page in English they offer you a manual, but it is the same in German one as on the German page.

But in this manual, Maerklin explains on page 6 under the heading “Import of CS 2 data”.

First, make a backup from your complete data from the CS 2 on an USB stick, as it stands in the manual for the CS 2.

Second, stick the stick into one of the USB ports of the CS 3 and follow the menus behind the button “System”. Then all your data from locos, magnet articles and track data will be transferred to the CS 3.

I think Wolf said 'System' relates to the CS3 menu's.

For the CS2, perform a system backup (as per CS2 manual instructions) to a USB stick.

Nothing on Manual Can you link manual in PDF? What page number?

BDNZ are you teasing me?

Or did you find Maerklins "Technischer Tip 315" in English? Please let me know where. Here you find mine:

Maerklin Technischer Tipp Nr. 315

I guess I found clapcotts own problem. In April 2016 he wrote in a post that he owes a CS 60213!

“Today I learnt that my CS2 (60213 = v3 HW) is not compatible with the new CS3 (60226)”

https://www.marklin-user...5695-CS3-incompatability

Yes that is it and I see it in the same way! And if he had never returned his CS 60213 and rebuilt by Maerklin, than I would recommend him to buy a 60216 instead of the 60226, if he wants to buy a CS 3. Because Maerklin (or was it in another thread? - sorry I do not remember) wrote somewhere, that one CS without a galvanic isolation will always be functioning in a environment of a full galvanic isolation for a digital MRR.

By my opinion, this is a major reason, why till up today Maerklin is changing the old booster 60713 for free, but not one CS. And a booster is cheaper as a CS.

But to the ports and their variety at a CS 2 – this is another story. Because yes you always have an in- and output for the CAN bus, but Maerklin always writes also about restrictions and limitations, which I do not know.

And the CS has none of the “Maerklin device port” as the new CS 3 60226 will have 2 of them!

But in the technical tip # 315 Märklin shows a port “60173” at a CS 2 or is it a CS? And what do they write:

“Das Vorgängermodell 60173 nicht benutzen. Dieses wurde durch 60174 ersetzt!“

“Do not use the previous model 60173. This was displaced by 60174!”

Don't you think the word “goobledygook” would be a good one for this? Couldn't be this a similar situation for the CS prior to the CS 2 60215 as well?

Sorry, as I wrote already, that I do not have any CS at the moment myself and so I have to do theoretically further researches for “old new problems”. I only wanted to know, which one of the CS 3 fits for me perfectly.

But no problem for me, gathering together information about these “old new problems” in the various German communities - and do not forget the Swiss ones as well, if you want it. Please let me know.

But also Clapcott can and hopefully will help me - no doubt about it. Teaching me about electronics and English – no problem. And already I have a question: does the so called terminal 60125 (isn't it in English not a hub instead of a terminal?) also have a galvanic isolation inside?

Best regards

Wolfgang

yeah, thats one of my issues with Märklin - their naming conventions. A terminal would be an 'end item' or a 'data entry/display device'. From the functional descriptions I've seen, the device is like a 'bridge' - in that it is a way to connect to the data network (bus), from a different signaling system.

Had a chance to play with CS3 yesterday. Marklin had brought a demobox to a local mrr fair. At the same fair there was one dealer (huenerbein) that had 2 for sale for the price of 720 euros, but they weren't sold on the first day. I didnt ask more to check whether that price included the supply or not.(I think it did!)

The device looked nice but I was not entirely convinced yet. Coming from a Ecos1 the speed knobs are really something to get used to.

The layout display looks nice with the rounded corners, but editing with the touchscreen was not easy. Probably a mouse would have been better, but that was not available on the CS3 I used.

Bert

When my wife and I were moving from NZ to the UK in 1997, we traveled on the Trans-Manchurian train. As part of this we did a side trip into Mongolia, where we had an opportunity to do a trip to the site of an ancient monastery. One of the guides there picked up that we were from NZ, and the conversation went like this: -

guide: NZ? is that like Australia?

wife (quick as a flash): No that is like saying Mongolia is part of China.

guide: Ahh, I understand!!!