Hi everyone!

My dad just recently purchased a brand new Central Station 3 and accompanying 60045 power pack to help us test our H0 locomotives. We've run into a few issues with the unit straight out of the box and are looking for any help possible.
I wanted to verify this is the correct power pack to be used for H0 in the US as there are multiple options.
After the quick setup, we are not able to register any of our MFX or digital Marklin locomotives. Something seems off with the unit as the STOP button doesn't seem to illuminate when pressed.
Another interesting thing I noticed was that three locomotives were already registered in the unit that we don't have, unless these were "examples" preinstalled.
After not being able to register any mfx locomotives automatically or manually, I decided to see if any updates were available for the unit, which there were, so I updated the unit after connecting to my router. After the update, I checked the software version, when I noticed the unit's serial number shows as: 0.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated! Hopefully it's user error and the device isn't DOA.

-Steven

Seems like you have received a used/"tested" item, and it is defective.

The LEDs in the stop bars should work.

So you should return it and get a new one.


Regarding Mfx registration, check that your CS3 has this settings enabled:



Note that older non-mfx locomotives needs to be added manually or from the database. (MM and MM2 protocoll)

(I currently don't use the DCC protocol so I leave that off)

Kind of odd to have locos already in a new CS3. There are a number of ETE clubs in California. A member of one might be just around the corner and willing to come and help. Search through this website for the one closest to you: https://www.ete.org/

Hi
Sometimes in Germany they sell B-Ware at reduced price. These are new items already delivered to a customer
According to EU law you may - within 14 days - return the purchased merchandize without any need to provide a reason.
So the first owner may have done something.
If Lippe sold the unit as brand neu, there must be a warranty attached to it

Märklin's warranty is "24 months from the date the product was purchased from an official Märklin dealer, but no longer than 60 months from the time the item is removed from the catalog assortment."
Not sure for the USA but here, in Europe (EU), you send a message to Lippe and they send a sticker to be attached to the returned parcel so shipment is free of charge both ways.
Similar with Märklin: for an accepted warranty return, you pay for the shipment to them, they repair / exchange / ship free of charge and ask you to provide a shipment cost receipt so that you shipment costs are reimbursed (usually by CC.
Note: It is safe to phone first.

Two things are definitly abnormal are: serial number to be Zero and the stop bar not lighting (is it still turning the power OFF and ON?.

Note: I had a Märklin Insider loco for a bit more than 5 years that turned faulty but I returned to my shop in Paris and Märklin / Au Pullman managed to have it repaired free of charge.

PS: have you tried to connect your CS3 to a PC using a simple CAT5 CAT6 (Ethernet cable)?
How to?
- go to your CS3 System: IP and fill an IP address like 192.168.0.23
-

- then on your PC, using your browser (I use Edge on Win 11) in the address field, type the IP address you have selected (e.g.: 192.168.0.23), alternately, using a "Box" / WiFi Router, will assign an IP Address and it will show on your CS3.

- Then you get a welcome screen from the CS3 giving you access to all fonctions (limited edition power on layouts, no simultaneous loco editing on both the PC and the CS3

NOTE: the screen on your PC may be different of the screen on your CS3 because you have two independent users (one on the CS3 doing some loco parametrization and the PC doing train control as an example)

Best of luck
Jean

I was unable to get a CS3 repair in US without breaking the warranty. Had to mail unit to Germany. Took a few months, but repair (failed power board) was free under warranty.
(first do the reset I suggested earlier)
Ben