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Märklin Digital for Dummies ® Locomotive Decoders This section starts with a general Introduction, then some words about which decoders that are suitable for certain motors, and finally I have added examples of how to convert a locomotive to digital.
Introduction Table of Contents On conventional (analogue) layouts, you need separate transformers in isolated sections to get close to multi-train capabilities, as speed is controlled by changing the output voltage on each transformer. An alternative is to use catenary (i.e., power line in the air) which enables two trains to operate independently in one section. This you don't need with digital. As a general principle in the new world, there is only one section (one transformer) and always 16 Volt AC on the layout. How does this work? The first generation of multi-train control systems was named Märklin "Delta", and Märklin "Digital" is the successor. In Märklin Digital, you can still use the Delta type locomotive decoders, but if you use the (more expensive) digital Märklin 6080 (c80), Märklin 6090 (c90) or the latest Märklin 6090x decoders (60902 and 60905), you can derive additional functions (f1-f4) like controlling (on/off):
However, 6080 and 6090 decoders only have one function, most often for turning lights on/off. In addition, the 6090 and 6090x decoders, preferrable in combination with 5 pole motors (instead of 3 pole motors) derive superior running features, e.g. load compensation (e.g. same speed both up- and downhill, and in curves) and very smooth performance. Conclusion? 6090x decoders (i.e. 60902 and 60905) are better. In 2004, the new "Märklin Systems" was introduced in order to replace "Märklin Digital". You may still use (most of) the Märklin Digital items, such as the 6080, 6090 and 6090x loco decoders. The new generation of Märklin Systems loco decoders are called "mfx" (60922), and they are produced by the company ESU. The mfx decoders have 16 functions, and their features for sound are enhanced. Using mfx, you may set 16000 addresses (compared to 80 using 6090x) and mfx have 128 speed steps. The mfx decoders also have some kind of feedback reporting to the control unit. The mfx decoders (60922) are further commented below. Due to the fixed 16 Volt AC on the layout, you can't use locomotives without decoders on a digital layout - They will always drive on full speed. In addition, locomotives with Digital decoders are running better and more quiet compared to those equipped with Delta. To enable the Digital System to find your locomotives, you have to set unique addresses to them; Like telephone numbers:
Typically, the 4 Delta dip switches correspond to the 8 Digital switches, where Digital 1 = Delta 1 e. g. Digital setting "1---5-7-" is Delta "1-34" which is adress 6. Note that the mfx decoders (60922) do not have dip switches. Here you need to change the address and other features (such as acceleration and deceleration) using the control unit. Kenneth Pallund has some excellent pages if you want to learn about Delta and Digital decoders in detail, or even try to modify the decoders... He has also provided the address table above concerning Digital decoders. Decoders & Motors Table of Contents What decoders (and motors) are the different Märklin engines equipped with? I found and translated the following information from the Der Moba FAQ site ("DS" is abbreviation for Direction Switch):
In my opinion, Delta is a good entry into the new technology. As you will see in the Trains section, I used to have a number of Märklin locomotives equipped with Delta units instead of Digital decoders. However, as I have learned - and experienced - that those engines aren't really suitable for computer operated layouts - regarding speed control (e.g. slow motion is to fast), brake control etc. - I have sold all of them, or upgraded the engines with Digital decoders. If you want to install a 6090, 6090x or mfx digital decoder - which are superior - in a locomotive, you first need to identify the motor. This is required, as using the Märklin 6090, 6090x or mfx decoders, you need to convert the AC motor to DC (with a permanent magnet). In general, Märklin locomotives are equipped with the following motors (Examples are from the Märklin Service Pages):
Helmut Kern provides a very good overview of the Märklin Locomotive History as a source to find out what motor your locomotive is equipped with. Once you have identified the motor, the following can be done:
You will also find some new mfx items identified as 6093x. These are sets comprising a decoder, sound module and loudspeaker. They can be used to replace your Märklin Digital 60902 decoder (e.g. from a 60901, 60903 or 60904 set) or your Märklin Systems 60922 mfx decoder (e.g. from a 60921, 60923 or 60924 set), keeping the motor only:
More detailed information on the loco decoder subject can be derived e.g. in Bogobit's presentation of Märklin Digital Decoder Types, Kenneth Pallund's Märklin Decoder Overview and in Michael Prieskorn's decription of Locomotives Suitable for Change to Digital Decoder. Don't forget to spend some time on the marklin.users.net Conversion Sessions. Kenneth Pallund has e.g. a comparison of DCM, LFCM and SFCM motors on his Retrofitting page. Also, Antonio Martinez has some very comprehensive pages (in Spanish, use Babel Fish to translate) on parts required, locomotives suitable for conversions etc. According to Insider News 3/2003 (German Edition, translated by Costas, a friend on marklin.users.net forum), the following locos can be retroffited to Digital by using the new 60903 Decoder Kit. Table 1 Table 2 Again according to Marklin Insider 3/2003: "The locomotives in Table 1 can be reequipped without special expenditure of Maerklin digital specialist dealers." "Table 2 contains all models, which can be converted only at additional expenditure of an authorized repair shop or of the Maerklin Repair Service. Conversion Sessions Table of Contents Is it difficult to convert a locomotive to digital? In my opinion, you only need some basic skills in soldering, and I can assure you that I'm not very good in this practice. How about warranty? Well, Märklin is stating that the "conversion should be performed by authorized and trained Märklin Digital dealers...", but how fun is that? This is also an opportunity to save some money, and in addition, I live more than 100 km from the nearest dealer. Finally, even if I am a happy amateur, I have never managed do destroy a decoder. This one of the reasons why I stick with Märklin decoders. However, people who are interested in fine-tuning of sound decoders and/or mixed Märklin-Motorola / DCC protocols - which you can read more about this in the Control Unit section - have my deepest respect. The locomotive decoders are not my core interest in this hobby, I get the fine-tuning I (so far) require from the PC Software. (I also have a source that provides me the Märklin 60902 at a very competitive price!). Below, you will find two examples on how to install a digital decoder in a locomotive. You will find several examples on how to convert Märklin locomotives, by following the links recommended earlier. This is why I choose to give you two examples of Roco conversions. A nice feature with Roco, and most other brands that provides Märklin compatible three rail models, is that the motor always is a DC motor. (Märklin and HAG are the only exceptions I know.) Therefore, you only need to install a Märklin 60902 decoder (or similar), i.e. no conversion of the motor is required.
In this example, we will convert a Roco 43926 which was produced in the early 1980:s, i.e. the Swiss SBB Be 4/6 12320, using a Märklin 60902 decoder. You may click on the pictures, for larger view.
This example will show a very "quick" conversion. The only functions I will use, is the possibility to turn light on/off. Of course, lights will be direction sensitive (which wasn't the case before conversion), however not according to the Swiss standard of having three lights turned on in the front, one light turned on in the rear. I will skip the light in the rear, as there is only one light bulb at each end of the locomotive. The Swiss standard would require two light bulbs at each end.
Above, you can see the opened Be 4/6, and in the right end, an electronic unit that (1) converts AC to DC and (2) provides the direction switch functions. This electronic unit should now be completely removed. The unit is connected with two black wires (for track power and ground return) and two brown wires (to the motor, which is hidden below the brown card). Note that the motor setup, with a drive shaft etc., is completely different from Märklin motors.
Above, you will see that all required wires from the decoder have been soldered according to the following schema:
Before soldering the headlight wires, do some testing on the layout. Else, you could end up with lights in the rear only... The remaining wires are for functions I don't use (yet). I could have used the orange wire for the light bulbs ground return, however this would imply some drilling on the locomotive, as the light bulb ground return currently is transferred via the locomotive itself.
Removing the electronic unit derived enough space for assembling the Märklin 60902 decoder. In this locomotive, it wasn't required to fix the decoder e.g. with glue. The 60902 is assembled in a case, it will not be damaged if it moves a little. Testing the locomotive (after setting a digital address with the dip switches), the engine was immediately working. After adjusting the maximum speed (with the left pot) and the acceleration/braking delay (with the right pot), the locomotive is operating surprisingly smooth (almost like a Märklin 37xxx locomotive would). Including the orange wire (as mentioned above) would have totally eliminated the flickering lights, however, on this engine the lights are not flickering as much as I have seen on other engines. In this example, we will convert a Roco 43863 which was produced between 1997 and 2000, i.e. the Swiss SBB Ae 6/6 11423. You may click on the pictures, for larger view.
The available space for a decoder in this Ae 6/6 is very small. There is a "box" under the engine, which contains an electronic unit which enables the locomotive to switch direction. As we can remove this unit using a digital decoder, we derive 25 x 13 x 7 mm free space. The Märklin 60902 is 36 x 21 x 9 mm (0.8A motor output). Restricted by space, there are a few Märklin-Motorola compatible alternatives, e.g.:
All decoders above have load compensation features, and require DC motors. Recommended by some people, I selected the Uhlenbrock 76500.
The circuit board contains electronics for managing the two light bulbs to be turned on/off depending on the engine direction. This is not needed with a digital decoder. The Swiss lights logics, i.e. having three lights turned on in the front, one light turned on in the rear, is managed by plastic light conductors under the engine roof. Before installing the decoder, the two diodes have to be removed (see above picture). Also the unit under the engine, that provides the direction switch functions, must be removed.
Above, you will see that all required wires from the decoder have been soldered according to the following schema (which of course differs from the Märklin 60902):
On the picture, you can also see that two circuits are cut. In addition, there is a third circuit under the circuit board that has to be cut. Testing the locomotive (default address = 3), the engine operates even smoother than the Be 4/6 converted in the previous session (like any Märklin 37xxx locomotive would). Of course this is a newer model, and the fact that it is running on 8 wheels helps a lot...
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