Hello everyone,
Is it possible to make light on of digital loco with 6080 decoder in analog mode?
I recently get digital loco 3634 try to run on M track with analog system.
It runs normal but light doesn't work.
Please assume I come from 35 years ago the time my Märklin life once stopped.
I recently back to Märklin.

If the loco is 35 years old, it is probably using an incandessant light bulp (not LED)¿?
-In that case it should be trivial to isolate the bulp from the decoder, and just give it power directly.

I think there are several ways. F.x. this;

Thank you for nice advice. Yes it has light bulb 60190. I was thinking the wild way like you suggest connecting directly from motors.
But I am afraid of damage to decoder and bulbs. Are two diodes necessary to avoid the damage?

Edited by user 26 August 2023 12:54:50(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi V,

In answer to your original post (# 1), yes, it is possible to light the globes in a loco with installed digital 6080 decoder when running in analogue mode.

These decoders were one of the earliest digital decoders offered by Märklin and I fitted many in my digital conversions in the 1980s (and in turn replaced them with more advanced decoders subsequently).

Back then one powered the light globes from the two auxiliary functions of the decoder (the yellow and grey wires) but because of the nature of the digital signal super-imposed on the track "power", this caused a "flickering" of the lights. The sole purpose of a diode is to eliminate this flicker (see lower diagram below from page 97). So even if you are running a 6080 decoder loco on "modern" digital "power" it is prudent to leave the diodes in place.

Back then, if you wanted to run additional functions (such as telex) then you powered the light globes direct from the track (i.e. pick-up slider and rail, as in analogue) and used diodes to eliminate the flicker as shown in the upper diagram below, but in that situation you lost directional control of the lights.

If, however if you are running the 6080 loco only on analogue (no digital signal) there is technically no need for the diodes. Also the 6080 automatically senses analogue track current and runs as if in analogue control. Further, setting all of the eight dip switches of the 6080 to "off" sets it to run in analogue. However I am not sure if you have illuminated lights or directional control of the lights under analogue control (I no longer have any locos with 6080) and if you cannot, you may need to wire the globes directly to the track (as in the upper diagram), but without the diodes, however you would have no directional control of the lights.

See below from old Märklin digital handbook :







Have fun with your trains

PJ

Hi
To avoid any future problem, I would recommend Märklin 32VA transformer 66471 if your mains are 230 VAC.
What is important is the (over)voltage when changing the loco direction. Some older transfors (blue case) have the reputation to deliver higher than 24VAC voltage.
This may lead, above 26 VAC to the destruction of recent decoders. The older C80 are safe (never burnt one) but it is always a pity to destroy an expensive decoder because of this.
Cheers
Jean

Hm... 16V * SQR(2) = 22,627V
Maybe you need to try with another multimeter...?
(Is your meter is measuring the peak of the AC-wave, instead of the nominal useful voltage?)


The only difference between 66470 and 66471 is the on/off contact on the cable, as per latest EU laws.
The 66470 is perfect for your use!

Yes the highest means the moment at reverse pulse not maximum dial position.
So I assume 66470 is still OK.

If, however if you are running the 6080 loco only on analogue (no digital signal) there is technically no need for the diodes. Also the 6080 automatically senses analogue track current and runs as if in analogue control. Further, setting all of the eight dip switches of the 6080 to "off" sets it to run in analogue.

I have returned to analogue after dabbling in Digital a few years ago. This thread has explained why my one loco that had a 6080 decoder ran without the lights (which are grounded ones). So thank you to the contributors - there's some very interesting reading in this thread.

I was going to wire the lights direct to the slider connection but ended up taking the 6080 out and putting in a proper 208240 reverser. These can be quite hard to find these days but there must be thousands hidden away in attics and cupboards with people who have done numerous conversions in the past.

I wanted to keep the motor as original as I like the 'floatiness' of the AC motors rather than the abrupt stopping that you get with a permanent magnet.

Sorry to all the digital afficionados but, to me, Marklin just isn't Marklin without all the clicks and buzzes!