Intermittent Turnout Decoder Issues with Märklin C-Track

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Intermittent Turnout Decoder Issues with Märklin C-Track

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tgj		#1 Posted : 01 May 2025 10:36:49(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/03/2025(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Rinkenæs, 6300 Gråsten		Hi everyone, I'm encountering a recurring issue with my Märklin C-Track layout, utilizing turnout decoders 74462, Initially, all approximately 70 turnouts function correctly after setup. However, after a few days, some of them stop responding. Interestingly, when I swap the decoder from a non-functioning turnout with another (e.g., decoder no. 1), the turnout operates correctly again. Furthermore, the decoder that was previously not functioning, works fine when installed in a different turnout. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with turnout decoders losing functionality over time? Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Thorben
		Thorben Jensen - Denmark CS3+, Märklin HO TC Gold Version 10.0 B3, 64 bit Windows 11 Home


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JohnjeanB		#2 Posted : 01 May 2025 12:04:49(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,550 Location: Paris, France		Hi Thorben The most frequent issue is related to the switch motor 74491. Here the result is one of the microswitches does not work (either just once or permanently) Here the cure is to short each switch pins. Another issue with the decoder has to do with the MFX fonctionning. While excellent for locos and cars, the slightly modified MFX for accessories may cause trouble if you push again on that button "find lost MFX accessories". IMO, better stick to MM2 (assign manually addresses, code the switches on decoders and you are good to go. Another possibility: often, the powering of 74462 decoders through the track poses problems and a direct digital power feed is much better. 74462 decoders are excellent for carpet trains, they are unwise to be used on fixed layouts: much more expensive, difficult to intervene if problems, power feed trough the track. Cheers Jean
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tgj		#3 Posted : 01 May 2025 12:23:35(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 02/03/2025(UTC) Posts: 11 Location: Rinkenæs, 6300 Gråsten		Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi Thorben The most frequent issue is related to the switch motor 74491. Here the result is one of the microswitches does not work (either just once or permanently) Here the cure is to short each switch pins. Another issue with the decoder has to do with the MFX fonctionning. While excellent for locos and cars, the slightly modified MFX for accessories may cause trouble if you push again on that button "find lost MFX accessories". IMO, better stick to MM2 (assign manually addresses, code the switches on decoders and you are good to go. Another possibility: often, the powering of 74462 decoders through the track poses problems and a direct digital power feed is much better. 74462 decoders are excellent for carpet trains, they are unwise to be used on fixed layouts: much more expensive, difficult to intervene if problems, power feed trough the track. Cheers Jean Hi Jean, Thank you for your insights. Regarding the microswitches in the 74491 turnout motors, I understand that they can fail. However, I'm puzzled as to why they start working again after I disassemble and reassemble them. Could it be that the act of taking them apart and putting them back together temporarily resolves a contact issue? As for the decoder setup, all my turnouts are configured using the MM2 protocol with manually assigned addresses; I don't use mfx for accessories. You mentioned that powering the 74462 decoders directly with digital power is preferable to relying on track power. Could you please elaborate on how to implement a direct digital power feed for these decoders? I'm not entirely sure how to set this up. Best regards, Thorben
		Thorben Jensen - Denmark CS3+, Märklin HO TC Gold Version 10.0 B3, 64 bit Windows 11 Home


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