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US Adapter for 29814 Mega Set Transformer. Is this safe?
Joined: 08/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 4
Location: Chatham. NJ
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Hello,
I am new to the forum. This weekend my shipment from Lokshop arrived. Part of my order was the 29814 Swiss Mega Starter set. Everything else in my collection has been purchased in the US (older digital stuff... 80f unit controlled). I did not consider the fact that something ordered from Germany would have a transformer made for European electrical service. My question is, will I do any damage to the 60214 central station by simply using a US plug adapter? Would it be better to buy a 60055 transformer? Does it matter?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Chris - Chatham, NJ
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 Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 15,870 Location: Gibraltar, Europe
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Chris Honer wrote:Hello,
I am new to the forum. This weekend my shipment from Lokshop arrived. Part of my order was the 29814 Swiss Mega Starter set. Everything else in my collection has been purchased in the US (older digital stuff... 80f unit controlled). I did not consider the fact that something ordered from Germany would have a transformer made for European electrical service. My question is, will I do any damage to the 60214 central station by simply using a US plug adapter? Would it be better to buy a 60055 transformer? Does it matter?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Chris - Chatham, NJ Hi Chris, it matters very much! The European power pack is designed to accept a nominal 230V. If you feed it with US house current it will not be able to function, and might cause damage to itself. I think it unlikely that it will damage the Central station, though, but it definitely will not work. Get the 60055 transformer, if that is the correct US voltage rating. |
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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 Joined: 01/03/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,339 Location: USA
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ETE  ECoS iTrain TouchCab C-Gleis German Era Id & IIIb USA Era IIIb SBB Era III SJ Era IV GC Era V |
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 Joined: 21/10/2004(UTC) Posts: 31,692 Location: United Kingdom
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Hi Chris,
Welcome to the forum. |
Large Marklinist 3- Rails Layout with CS2/MS2/Boosters/C-track/favorites Electric class E03/BR103, E18/E118, E94, Crocodiles/Steam BR01, BR03, BR05, BR23, BR44, BR50, Big Boy. |
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Joined: 08/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 4
Location: Chatham. NJ
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Thanks to all for the quick responses. I definitely wanted to avoid making any kind of tragic mistake. I've been lurking around for a few months now (reading and digesting) and all of the great discussions have really been a big help towards my decision making and money saving. I appreciate the fact that there is a support group with knowledgable folks willing to share.
Kind regards,
Chris - Chatham, NJ
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 Joined: 08/05/2009(UTC) Posts: 590 Location: Sydney
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First of all welcome to Chris.
From what I can see your set is supplied with DC switchmode supply, most switchmode power supplies are unversal now a days. The power supply from ESU is unversal, and should do the job. It's possible that the one you got in the set is universal too, but Märklin just haven't stated it. Personally I would try it, while disconnected it from the CS2, and check the output voltage with a multimeter, it should read approx. 19 V dc.
If the transformer is safe for 230 Vac then I can't see why it shouldn't be for 115 Vac. |
Regards Kenneth
CS1 update - K & C tracks - German Era 3B & 4, with some Swiss and Austrian visitors. - My Layout |
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Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC) Posts: 15,870 Location: Gibraltar, Europe
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Piggy wrote:First of all welcome to Chris.
From what I can see your set is supplied with DC switchmode supply, most switchmode power supplies are unversal now a days. The power supply from ESU is unversal, and should do the job. It's possible that the one you got in the set is universal too, but Märklin just haven't stated it. Personally I would try it, while disconnected it from the CS2, and check the output voltage with a multimeter, it should read approx. 19 V dc.
If the transformer is safe for 230 Vac then I can't see why it shouldn't be for 115 Vac. Kenneth, it might or might not be safe to try it. Supplying half of the correct voltage might correspond to a "brownout" situation, where the power supply might be working hard to try to supply 19V from an input which is too low. This could cause component failure, depending on the design of the circuits. If the supply were universal it would show the input range 100-250V on the label. If it specifies 230V I would assume it means just that. |
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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 Joined: 29/04/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,391 Location: Chennai
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A good quality step up transformer (120 to 230 V with the appropriate wattage) should work. When I bought my mega starter set, that's what I used until I got a 60055 transformer. I am not sure if there will be any negative effects if used as a long term solution. The experts here will clarify that. |
Gautham
Atlanta, GA USA |
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Joined: 08/05/2009(UTC) Posts: 590 Location: Sydney
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Point taken, Ray. Personaly I would try, but I would admit I'm don't have much fear of electricity.  Anyway it must easy optain PSU in the US with those specs, maybe made a DCC system at fair price. |
Regards Kenneth
CS1 update - K & C tracks - German Era 3B & 4, with some Swiss and Austrian visitors. - My Layout |
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 Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,227 Location: Montreal, QC
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Chris, have you contacted Lokshop and let them know about this issue. many times, they will replace the Euro transformer or power supply with the corresponding one made in the USA. Contact them and let us know what happens before you go out and buy a step up transformer. If they do not offer to help, contact Maerklin directly at service@maerklin.de and see if they step up to the plate. I would not expect a US Dealer or Walthers to offer much help. They might offer to sell you the 120VAC US part. Regards Mike C
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,771 Location: New Zealand
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Piggy wrote:The power supply from ESU is unversal, and should do the job. The problem you will have there, is that the CS2 has a special 4 pin socket for the power supply to plug into. So you can't just go and buy any switchmode power supply and expect it will plug straight in. I believe it is possible to use any of the current Marklin AC transformers with the CS2, you just need to source a cable with the correct plug on it from somewhere. Maybe the suggestion of a step-up transformer is the best one for now, until Marklin release the 120v version of the 60061 switchmode power supply. BTW, welcome to the forum, Chris.
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Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,771 Location: New Zealand
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RayPayas wrote: If it specifies 230V I would assume it means just that. It does specify that, and you are right Ray, it means 230v only. Although, having said that, mine is working OK on 240vac.
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Joined: 01/03/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,339 Location: USA
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Chris, as Mike C mentioned with a notice to the dealer ahead of shipping most will exchange the transformer for a 120V version useful in North America. You can contact the dealer and see if they will do an exchange, however that will involve shipping charges. You could also try selling it on eBay with a disclaimer that it is 230V. If you are looking for possible alternatives that you feel confident in undertaking then have a look at these two threads. The usual caveat of doing some research and being informed applies. https://www.marklin-user...&m=259570#post259570https://www.marklin-user...&m=259509#post259509Regards, Thomas |
ETE ECoS iTrain TouchCab C-Gleis German Era Id & IIIb USA Era IIIb SBB Era III SJ Era IV GC Era V |
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Bigdaddynz wrote:it means 230v only. Although, having said that, mine is working OK on 240vac. 230 V means 230 V +/- 10 % (207 to 253 V). As long as your 240 V stay within +6 %/-10 % then you're using it within its specification (AFAIK it's 240 V +/- 10 %). Back to topic: I think that this power supply along with a step-up transformer will perform better than a transformer for US voltage. Märklin doesn't offer power supplies for the US yet. |
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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Joined: 08/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 4
Location: Chatham. NJ
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gachar001 wrote:A good quality step up transformer (120 to 230 V with the appropriate wattage) should work. When I bought my mega starter set, that's what I used until I got a 60055 transformer. I am not sure if there will be any negative effects if used as a long term solution. The experts here will clarify that. Dear Gautham, First, I got a step up transformer. Works fine. Good stop-gap measure. Yesterday, my 60055 transformer arrived. I was a little surprised to find that the 60055 transformer does not appear to be directly compatible with the 60214 central station. Central station has a round four-pinned receptor socket, while 60055 has a narrower, round plug with no pins. Can you tell me what intermediate item I am missing? Thanks, Chris
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Joined: 01/03/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,339 Location: USA
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Chris Honer wrote: I was a little surprised to find that the 60055 transformer does not appear to be directly compatible with the 60214 central station. Central station has a round four-pinned receptor socket, while 60055 has a narrower, round plug with no pins.
Can you tell me what intermediate item I am missing?
Thanks,
Chris Chris, You may need the following spare part number from Marklin 120722. Others can confirm. Marklin changed the pin design for the CS2. You can read more here: https://www.marklin-user...aspx?g=posts&t=17214r/Thomas  |
ETE ECoS iTrain TouchCab C-Gleis German Era Id & IIIb USA Era IIIb SBB Era III SJ Era IV GC Era V |
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Joined: 29/04/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,391 Location: Chennai
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Chris Honer wrote:gachar001 wrote:A good quality step up transformer (120 to 230 V with the appropriate wattage) should work. When I bought my mega starter set, that's what I used until I got a 60055 transformer. I am not sure if there will be any negative effects if used as a long term solution. The experts here will clarify that. Dear Gautham, First, I got a step up transformer. Works fine. Good stop-gap measure. Yesterday, my 60055 transformer arrived. I was a little surprised to find that the 60055 transformer does not appear to be directly compatible with the 60214 central station. Central station has a round four-pinned receptor socket, while 60055 has a narrower, round plug with no pins. Can you tell me what intermediate item I am missing? Thanks, Chris Chris, Congratulations on your transformer. I am not sure why it is not compatible. I am not in front of mine now so I am unable to see what type of plug it has. I'm sure someone else here can help you out. |
Gautham
Atlanta, GA USA |
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