Solenoids

Märklin Digital for Dummies ^® Solenoids

Specific "k83" decoders, like the Märklin 6083, are used for controlling turnouts, train decouplers and signals of the layout. These devices are often called electric solenoids. The decoders provide a short pulse of power, like the old Märklin 7072 "stellpulte" does, to control the solenoids. Normally, a k83 decoder can manage 4 turnouts, 8 train decouplers or 4 signals (like the Märklin 7039 signals I am using), of course you can combine different types of solenoids at one decoder. Note that some signals require "k84" decoders, read more about these decoders in the in the Stopping Areas section.

Wiring of the k83 decoders is quite simple. The k83's are connected to the layout by the red and brown cables, and in theory, you can actually feed the decoders by connecting them with cables to the tracks. This could be nice e.g. on temporary layouts. However, I wouldn't recommend this in long-term.

	Example: You connect the transformer to track A. Track X is 10 metres from track A, and we're going to connect the k83 to track X. Having this long distance, you will loose power at each track having minimum power left at track X. The new Märklin C tracks are supposed to manage power better, compared with the Märklin M tracks.
	Recommendation 1: Avoid to use the tracks for feeding power to the k83, or other, decoders (except for Loco Decoders...). Instead, use 100% cables for the connection, unless you have a temporary "livingroom floor" layout.
	Recommendation 2: Add several points for feeding power to your layout. In the Occupied Track section, you will see that I am using 33 points for feeding power.

If you don't go for a computer operated layout, in my opinion, maybe you shouldn't use digital decoders at all for the solenoids. OK, using digital, for each decoder (e.g. 4 turnouts) you will save some cables as you only need 2 cables (red and brown) instead of 12 cables (4 turnouts x 3). However, if the layout is permanent, for me, it wouldn't be worth the money just to control the solenoids e.g. with a Märklin Keyboard 6040. The "minimum" need of wiring is often used as an argument for Digital, but I don't buy that. There is also a picture in the Stopping Areas section that presents the "Digital Spaghetti" you can expect here. You will derive added value from your k83 investments when your layout is represented by graphics as a switchboard in your computer Software, and you can define and store routes to traffic etc.

I am using the S-DEC-4-MM decoder from the German firm Littfinski-Datentechnik (LDT) instead of the Märklin decoder. The S-DEC-4-MM provides a few advantages:

	With reference to the "maximum 52 VA" discussion in the Power Supply section, using the S-DEC-4-MM you can save valueable power with feeding the decoder from a separate transformer (instead of consuming the "expensive" digital power). This is applicable for the magnetic operation only. You still need connection to the red and brown cables for the digital control.
	Cost for the S-DEC-4-MM is approx. 300 SEK (30 USD) compared to approx. 730 SEK (73 USD) for the Märklin decoder.

I have reserved digital addresses 1 to 40 for solenoids (controlled by k83 decoders). Address 1 to 4 is represented by decoder 1, address 5 to 8 is represented by decoder 2 etc. Normally, the address of the k83 decoder is set with dip-switches according to the 80 addresses table. However, the S-DEC-4-MM (and other LDT decoders) provides a "self-learning address". This works as follows:

	Connect a solenoid (e.g. a turnout or signal) to the decoder output number 1 (important).
	Press the programming button on the S-DEC-4-MM decoder.
	The solenoid starts to switch once every second, i.e. the decoder is in the “programming mode” now.
	If you e.g. want to set the addresses for decoder 2, click on address 5 (which is the address for the decoder output number 1), using the Software switchboard or the Märklin Keyboard 6040.
	If the decoder has recognized the assignment correctly, the connected point will switch a bit faster for a while.
	Leave the “programming mode” by pressing the programming button on the decoder again. The decoder address is saved permanently now but can be changed by repeating the programming as described above.

This is almost plug-and-play!

Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!

PayPal enables secure VISA, MasterCard, AmEx or Discovery payments between private persons worldwide. This is a great Internet service. Don't feed the banks with more money on your hobby!