MS2 “only possible at main device“ message

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Slylock3		#1 Posted : 16 June 2024 08:20:34(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/06/2024(UTC) Posts: 3 Location: Missouri, Olivette		Hi all, I have just hooked up brand new digital starter set with MS2, and when I try to add an engine, I get the message “only possible at main device.” I also noticed that the last line of the Information screen says “without railbox.” Seems like these are very uncommon messages, judging by lack of Google results. Do I have a bad railbox? -Matt


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H0		#2 Posted : 16 June 2024 10:31:45(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,432 Location: DE-NW		Hi! Welcome to the forum! Never saw this message before. The plug of the MS2 has 10 pins. Only about 4 pins are actually used, but maybe one of them is bent or broken off. So the MS2 may get power, but communication may be interrupted. Please check the plug before blaming the railbox.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS


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JohnjeanB		#3 Posted : 16 June 2024 11:08:07(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,548 Location: Paris, France		Hi Matt Indeed those are non-standard messages. The quickest /easiest thing to do is to reset the MS2. Another thing is to have the s/w updated using a CS3 , CS2 or another up-to-date MS2 Indeed broken / bent pins happen all the time (approx 20 to 25€ for a spare cable). One pin missing can produce strange behaviour Cheers Jean
		My layout videos latest vid marshalling yard My Layout


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mike c		#4 Posted : 16 June 2024 20:39:53(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,216 Location: Montreal, QC		Hi Matt, I would send an email to digital(at)marklin.com explaining the situation and let Curtis Yeung and Rick Sinclair help you. https://www.marklin.com/clubs/digital-club When adding a locomotive to a MS2. You need to ensure that the locomotive is the only digital model on the track. I usually connect the MS2 to a separate track segment (2 or 3 tracks) and use that for registering or modifying locomotive settings. Once done, I connect the MS back to my my layout. I am fortunate that I have a pair of controllers so I have a second box for my test track Only having Mobile Stations, I could not update the controller here. That was the reason why I bought the second (newer one). I was able to update the old box from the new controller, so it can be used with either. First thing I would recommend to try is to connect the MS2 to the other socket in the box and see whether you get the same result. As some of the others have mentioned, I would examine the pins with a magnifying glass to see whether any are bent/missing You mention that this is a brand new set, so I would not tinker with it too much and contact the dealer/seller as a warranty/replacement/exchange concern. Marklin's US operations are located in Jefferson, MO, so you are not too far. Curtis and Rick can explain what services may be available there. Rick is based in CA, but the warehouse/office may offer some services. Have a good weekend and hope that they can help you. Regards Mike C


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Slylock3		#5 Posted : 17 June 2024 06:39:01(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/06/2024(UTC) Posts: 3 Location: Missouri, Olivette		Originally Posted by: H0 Hi! Welcome to the forum! Never saw this message before. The plug of the MS2 has 10 pins. Only about 4 pins are actually used, but maybe one of them is bent or broken off. So the MS2 may get power, but communication may be interrupted. Please check the plug before blaming the railbox. Thanks everyone for your quick replies. Tom and Jean were correct: I mashed one of the pins in the plug.

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Goofy		#6 Posted : 17 June 2024 06:59:51(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,273		Originally Posted by: Slylock3 Originally Posted by: H0 Hi! Welcome to the forum! Never saw this message before. The plug of the MS2 has 10 pins. Only about 4 pins are actually used, but maybe one of them is bent or broken off. So the MS2 may get power, but communication may be interrupted. Please check the plug before blaming the railbox. Thanks everyone for your quick replies. Tom and Jean were correct: I mashed one of the pins in the plug. Strange...i too did had same problem! One pin was bend and when i did tried to correct the pin it broke!
		H0 DCC = Digital Command Control

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cookee_nz		#7 Posted : 17 June 2024 09:29:23(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 31/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 3,991 Location: Paremata, Wellington		I used to see that VERY often on very similar IBM PS/2 style connectors on Keyboards & Mice. With care, they are usually able to be straightened, care being the operative word. Very fine needle-nosed pliers help, but you probably need to use a tiny jewellers screwdriver to encourage the pin away from the housing to get better access, and then very gently and gradually start to straighten it. If you are lucky it will straighten out ok without breaking. They tend to be quite soft so will bend easily, but they also don't like metal-fatigue. Designed by engineers from utopia who thought everyone would use them in good light, on a clean desk with heaps of room, rather than the reality of being hunched over under a desk with no light blindly poking around "I know it plugs in somewhere around here"!! Good luck getting it straight.
		Cookee Wellington
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marklinist5999		#8 Posted : 17 June 2024 12:22:35(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,864 Location: Michigan, Troy		I'm usually concerned that I might do it to. I don't force the connectors if they don't feel aligned to plug in smoothly.


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JohnjeanB		#9 Posted : 17 June 2024 13:34:38(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,548 Location: Paris, France		Hi Matt the best is to order a spare Mäklin cable This how its done The spare Märklin cable is E146781 and is between 20€ and 25€ You need only a TORX key T8H (Metric sizing) and patience. Trying to make straight the bent pin is not ideal as it may break later, damage the female connector on the Gleisbox or the CS3 and the brocken pin may stay in the female connector. Cheers Jean
		My layout videos latest vid marshalling yard My Layout

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