Hi all,
I was thinking of installing the current conducting couplers on the coaches so that I avoid installing pick-up shoes. The current would be drawn from the locomotive, meaning that whenever the loco lights go on, the lights in coaches go on too. Now, would I be able to install and use the current conducting couplers on the loco as well? many thanks for shedding light on this.

Yes I do. I use single pole RTS couplers. Multi-pole would be better than relying on the ground from the cars, but I like the RTS couplers since they interface with normal Marklin ones. In most cases, I have been able to route the wire into the lok without modifying the lok. I think I have had to drill two or three of them, though.

For providing power to the lights in the coaches, DO NOT attach the wire from the coupler directly to a decoder output. This will overload the decoder with a few coaches attached. Either connect it directly to the feed from the center rail pukos, in which case the coaches will always be lit when connected; or to a relay controlled by the decoder so you can control it. I have done both.

One Pole means One Wire Connection.
Two Pole Means 2 Wires /Connection.
Marklin CCC are as far as I Know Single Pole
Some-one will correct me if I am Wrong.

Nev

Do you still need a relay if you are using the new LED lighting strips connected directly to the decoder. ie 73400 or similiar.
These would draw less power than the normal globes and I think you could have a few coaches without a problem - further comment on this would be appreciated.

Diesel

My intention is to have a maximum of six coaches per train and even then I do believe is a bit too long, but let's say six. So how shall I proceed so that I am not burning the decoder, there is enough power to properly light the coaches and the loco and enough power to operate the consist without jerking of the loco?

Ron is discouraging it, even though two poles are needed if want to connect the coaches lighting to one of the free F functions of the decoder.

Not true. I control the coaches with a decoder function with one pole. I use the coach ground to return the current to the tracks.

So on the CS then, I would see the 4, 5, or 6 coaches that have one function, the light and that's it? No need for the pick-up shoe for each coach, just the one that the loco has? This leads me to another thing. The freight box cars that have a marker light at one end. Suppose you have a freight train and the last car is a box car which has a marker light installed. And when the loco's lights turn on, the marker light turns on as well.

The main thing is that I am trying to avoid using pick-up shoes onany of the cars/coaches, in preparation for signals on the layout. I apologize for making it harder by asking so many questions.

Thanks for your patience[:I]

I have done this two ways, both with small monostable relays:

Current from the locomotive:
A function output controls a small relay installed inside the locomotive, the current is transferred either via a wire to the cars or via current conducting couplers.

Current from one of the cars, with it's own pick-up shoe:
An output from the 60960 or 60961 function decoder controls a small relay installed inside the locomotive, the current is transferred either via a wire to the other cars or via current conducting couplers.

The connection:
The relay coil is connected to a function output from the decoder (negative) and to the orange wire, which is a rectified plus (positive). The relay switch input is connected to the "B" (center contact) from the pick-up shoe, the output is connected to the light circuit for the cars. In this case, the bulbs are connected to ground in each car.
In case of LED car illumination, a bridge rectifier must be installed in every car to avoid the flickering light.

Example of a convertion, including white and red light in the control car, also controlled by relays, can be found at http://www.saebonet.com/Tog/3071.htm

Ron,

It is not a problem. Look forward to seeing some of your pictures of your craftsmanship when you have the time.

Take care,

Bob