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Märklin Digital for Dummies Locomotive Decoders

This section starts with a general Introduction, then some words about whichdecoders that are suitable for certain motors, and finally I have added examples ofhow to convert a locomotive to digital

Introduction

Decoders ! Motors

"onversion #essions

Introduction Table of "ontents

$n conventional %analogue& layouts, you need separate transformers in isolatedsections to get close to multi'train capabilities, as speed is controlled by changing theoutput voltage on each transformer (n alternative is to use catenary %ie, power line

in the air& which enables two trains to operate independently in one section

This you don)t need with digital (s a general principle in the new world, there is onlyone section %one transformer& and always *+ olt (" on the layout -ow does thiswork.

The first generation of multi'train control systems was named Märklin /Delta/, andMärklin /Digital/ is the successor In Märklin Digital, you can still use the Delta typelocomotive decoders, but if you use the %more expensive& digital Märklin +010 %c10&,Märklin +020 %c20& or the latest Märklin +020x decoders %+0203 and +0204&, you canderive additional functions %f*'f5& like controlling %on6off&7

lights,

long distance light,

train uncoupling %Telex&,

sound,

horn6whistle,

smoke,

brake curve

fireman shovelling coal etc etc8

-owever, +010 and +020 decoders only have one function, most often for turninglights on6off In addition, the +020 and +020x decoders, preferrable in combinationwith 4 pole motors %instead of 9 pole motors& derive superior running features, egload compensation %eg same speed both up' and downhill, and in curves& and verysmooth performance "onclusion. +020x decoders %ie +0203 and +0204& are betterIn 3005, the new /Märklin #ystems/ was introduced in order to replace /MärklinDigital/ :ou may still use %most of& the Märklin Digital items, such as the +010, +020and +020x loco decoders The new generation of Märklin #ystems loco decoders arecalled /mfx/ %+0233&, and they are produced by the company ;#< The mfx decodershave *+ functions, and their features for sound are enhanced <sing mfx, you may

set *+000 addresses %compared to 10 using +020x& and mfx have *31 speed steps

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The mfx decoders also have some kind of feedback reporting to the control unit Themfx decoders %+0233& are further commented below

Due to the fixed *+ olt (" on the layout, you can)t use locomotives without decoderson a digital layout ' They will always drive on full speed In addition, locomotives with

Digital decoders are running better and more =uiet compared to those e=uipped withDelta

To enable the Digital #ystem to find your locomotives, you have to set uni=ueaddresses to them> Like telephone numbers7

$n locomotives with Delta decoders, there are 5 dip switches with options /on/and /off/ that you can combine to derive *+ addresses :ou should avoid olderDelta decoders without dip switches %ie ++09 decoders with the ?0**9 chip&

$n locomotives with Digital decoders, there are 1 dip switches that you cancombine to derive 10 addresses

Typically, the 5 Delta dip switches correspond to the 1 Digital switches, where

Digital * @ Delta *Digital 3 @ offDigital 9 @ Delta 3Digital 5 @ offDigital 4 @ Delta 9Digital + @ offDigital ? @ Delta 5Digital 1 @ off

e g Digital setting /*'''4'?'/ is Delta /*'95/ which is adress + Aote that the mfxdecoders %+0233& do not have dip switches -ere you need to change the addressand other features %such as acceleration and deceleration& using the control unit

Benneth Callund has some excellent pages if you want to learn about Delta andDigital decoders in detail, or even try to modify the decoders -e has also providedthe address table above concerning Digital decoders 

Decoders & Motors Table of "ontents

hat decoders %and motors& are the different Märklin engines e=uipped with. I foundand translated the following information from the Der Moba E(F site %/D#/ isabbreviation for Direction #witch&7

30xx: (nalog models with relays for D#, serial number without letter

30xxx: (nalog models with Delta for D#, serial number with M

31xx: (nalog models with relay for D#, older catalog numbers were passengertrain packings with 90xx model as locomotive, serial number without letter

32xx: Goods train packings with 90xx model as locomotive

33xx/34xx: (nalog models with relay or electronics for D#, serial numbers with

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;33xx/33xxx/34xx/34xxx: #tarting from *225 models with Delta, serial numberswith M35xx: Models with conventional high'power engine and electronics for D#, serialnumber with H

36xx/36xxx: Models with Digital decoder c10 without load compensation %fewexceptions&, serial number with D Most often e=uipped with Märklin +010 %c10&Digital decoders37xx: <ntil *223, analog models with transparent housing and relay for D#

37xx/37xxx: Models with Digital decoder, D" motor and load compensation %fewexceptions&, serial number with - Most often e=uipped with Märklin +020 %for9?xx models& or +020x %for 9?xxx models& Digital decoders 38xx/38xxx: Models with -(M$ Digital decoder

39xx: (nalog model construction kits with relay for D#

39xxx: Digital models with "'#inus motor, serial numbers with # %also with -&

83xx: -(M$ models %ie two rail models& with D" motor83xxx: Models with different e=uipment

In my opinion, Delta is a good entry into the new technology (s you will see in theTrains section, I used to have a number of Märklin locomotives e=uipped with Deltaunits instead of Digital decoders -owever, as I have learned ' and experienced ' thatthose engines aren)t really suitable for computer operated layouts ' regarding speedcontrol %eg slow motion is to fast&, brake control etc ' I have sold all of them, orupgraded the engines with Digital decoders

If you want to install a +020, +020x or mfx digital decoder ' which are superior ' in a

locomotive, you first need to identify the motor This is re=uired, as using the Märklin+020, +020x or mfx decoders, you need to convert the (" motor to D" %with apermanent magnet& In general, Märklin locomotives are e=uipped with the followingmotors %;xamples are from the Märklin #ervice Cages&7

!"inus Motors>;xample7 #wiss # Brokodil %Märklin 924+0&DM Drum "ommutator Motors>;xample7 #wiss # He 565II %Märklin 9?95&#$M Large Elat "ommutator Motors %Large Elat "ollector Motors&>;xample7 #wedish #J Hc %Märklin 9059&"$M #mall Elat "ommutator Motors %#arge Elat "ollector Motors&>;xample7 German D T ?24 %Märklin 90*+&$aul%aer  Motors %Glockenankermotoren&>;xample7 #wiss # Hoter Cfeil %Märklin 9*34&

-elmut Bern provides a very good overview of the Märklin Locomotive -istory as asource to find out what motor your locomotive is e=uipped with $nce you haveidentified the motor, the following can be done7

!"inus7 (lready e=uipped with digital decoders

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DM7 The Märklin set +020* %mfx set +023*&, which includes eg a 4 pole motorand a +0203 decoder %mfx +0233 decoder&, can be used for most D"Mlocomotives (s an alternative, you could try to only replace the magnet with theMärklin 394+20 permanent magnet %keeping the 9 pole motor&, in combinationwith a +0203 decoder %or mfx +0233 decoder&

#$M7 The Märklin set +0205 %mfx set +0235&, which includes eg a 4 polemotor and a +0203 decoder %mfx +0233 decoder&, can be used for most LE"Mlocomotives ( list of locos that can be converted with the +0205 kit is available inthe Märklin Technical <pdate (s an alternative, you could try to only replace themagnet with the Märklin 3304+0 permanent magnet %keeping the 9 pole motor&,in combination with a +0203 decoder %or mfx +0233 decoder&

"$M7 The Märklin set +0209 %mfx set +0239&, which includes eg a 4 pole

motor and a +0203 decoder %mfx +0233 decoder&, can be used for most #E"Mlocomotives ( list of locos that can be converted with the +0209 kit is availablebelow (s an alternative, you could try to only replace the magnet with theMärklin 330540 permanent magnet %keeping the 9 pole motor&, in combinationwith a +0203 decoder %or mfx +0233 decoder& (ccording to several sources, it ismore difficult to convert a #E"M locomotive than a LE"M locomotive, as therecould be performance and siKe issues -owever, the Delta, or the old +010,decoder solution should always work here, as you do not need to convert the ("motor to D" then

$aul%aer 7 The Märklin +0204 decoder can be used for most locomotives It issimilar to the +0203, but its motor output is tailored to coreless D" motors

:ou will also find some new mfx items identified as +029x These are sets comprisinga decoder, sound module and loudspeaker They can be used to replace your MärklinDigital +0203 decoder %eg from a +020*, +0209 or +0205 set& or your Märklin#ystems +0233 mfx decoder %eg from a +023*, +0239 or +0235 set&, keeping themotor only7

+029*7 #team loco sounds

+02937 Diesel loco sounds+02997 ;lectric loco sounds

More detailed information on the loco decoder subect can be derived eg inogobit)s presentation of Märklin Digital Decoder Types, Benneth Callund)s MärklinDecoder $verview and in Michael Crieskorn)s decription of Locomotives #uitable for"hange to Digital Decoder  Don)t forget to spend some time on the marklinusersnet"onversion #essions Benneth Callund has eg a comparison of D"M, LE"M and#E"M motors on his Hetrofitting page  (lso,  (ntonio MartineK has some verycomprehensive pages %in #panish, use abel Eish to translate& on parts re=uired,locomotives suitable for conversions etc 

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 (ccording to Insider Aews 963009 %German ;dition, translated by "ostas, a friend onmarklinusersnet forum&, the following locos can be retroffited to Digital by using thenew +0209 Decoder Bit

'ale 1

#'ahn7 90*?, 9*31H4*47 9031H1*7 9093, 9093*;5*, ;*0, ;50, #erie 23007 9095, 909?, 929?, 9091, 9092, 9050;(1007 9055#chienen'eppelin7 90??D-G4007 90?1, 9011, 9*55D-G?007 9011

'ale 2

H127 9000H?247 90*9, 90*+Tenderlok7 9032#erie G# 1007 9090, 9*?0, 3+?0, 31?0+07 90+5, 90+4, 9*9*, 9*5*, 9*52BLM7 901?, 9020

 (gain according to Marklin Insider 9630097

/The locomotives in Table * can be ree=uipped without special expenditure ofMaerklin digital specialist dealers/

/Table 3 contains all models, which can be converted only at additional expenditureof an authoriKed repair shop or of the Maerklin Hepair #ervice

on(ersion "essions Table of "ontents

Is it difficult to convert a locomotive to digital. In my opinion, you only need somebasic skills in soldering, and I can assure you that I)m not very good in this practice-ow about warranty. ell, Märklin is stating that the /conversion should be

performed by authoriKed 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 *00km from the nearest dealer Einally, even if I am a happy amateur, I have nevermanaged do destroy a decoder This one of the reasons why I stick with Märklindecoders -owever, people who are interested in fine'tuning of sound decodersand6or mixed Märklin'Motorola 6 D"" protocols ' which you can read more about thisin the "ontrol <nit section ' have my deepest respect The locomotive decoders arenot my core interest in this hobby, I get the fine'tuning I %so far& re=uire from the C"#oftware %I also have a source that provides me the Märklin +0203 at a verycompetitive price8& elow, you will find two examples on how to install a digitaldecoder in a locomotive :ou will find several examples on how to convert Märklin

locomotives, by following the links recommended earlier This is why I choose to giveyou two examples of Hoco conversions ( nice feature with Hoco, and most other

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brands that provides Märklin compatible three rail models, is that the motor always isa D" motor %Märklin and -(G are the only exceptions I know& Therefore, you onlyneed to install a Märklin +0203 decoder %or similar&, ie no conversion of the motor isre=uired

"onversion of a # e 56+7 <sing a Märklin +0203 decoder"onversion of a # (e +6+7 <sing an <hlenbrock ?+400 decoder

on(ersion o) a "** *e 4/6

In this example, we will convert a Hoco 5923+ which was produced in the early*2107s, ie the #wiss # e 56+ *3930, using a Märklin +0203 decoder :ou mayclick on the pictures, for larger view

The Be 4/6 and the Märklin 60902 decoder 

This example will show a very /=uick/ conversion The only functions I will use, is thepossibility to turn light on6off $f course, lights will be direction sensitive %which wasn)tthe case before conversion&, however not according to the #wiss standard of havingthree lights turned on in the front, one light turned on in the rear I will skip the light inthe rear, as there is only one light bulb at each end of the locomotive The #wissstandard would re=uire two light bulbs at each end 

The opened Be 4/6 before conversion

 (bove, you can see the opened e 56+, and in the right end, an electronic unit that%*& converts (" to D" and %3& 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

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hidden below the brown card& Aote that the motor setup, with a drive shaft etc, iscompletely different from Märklin motors 

 All wires are soldered 

 (bove, you will see that all re=uired wires from the decoder have been solderedaccording to the following schema7

+ed7 Track Cower 

*ro,n7 Ground Heturn

*lue7 Motor "onnection

-reen7 Motor "onnection

-re.7 Eront -eadlight

 ello,7 Hear -eadlight

efore soldering the headlight wires, do some testing on the layout ;lse, you couldend 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, howeverthis would imply some drilling on the locomotive, as the light bulb ground returncurrently is transferred via the locomotive itself 

The decoder assembled in the Be 4/6 

Hemoving the electronic unit derived enough space for assembling the Märklin +0203decoder In this locomotive, it wasn)t re=uired to fix the decoder eg with glue The+0203 is assembled in a case, it will not be damaged if it moves a little Testing thelocomotive %after setting a digital address with the dip switches&, the engine wasimmediately working (fter adusting the maximum speed %with the left pot& and theacceleration6braking delay %with the right pot&, the locomotive is operating surprisingly

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smooth %almost like a Märklin 9?xxx locomotive would& Including the orange wire %asmentioned above& would have totally eliminated the flickering lights, however, on thisengine the lights are not flickering as much as I have seen on other engines 

on(ersion o) a "** e 6/6

In this example, we will convert a Hoco 591+9 which was produced between *22?and 3000, ie the #wiss # (e +6+ **539 :ou may click on the pictures, for largerview

The Ae 6/6 and the hlenbrock !6"00 decoder before conversion

The available space for a decoder in this (e +6+ is very small There is a /box/ underthe engine, which contains an electronic unit which enables the locomotive to switchdirection (s we can remove this unit using a digital decoder, we derive 34 x *9 x ?mm free space The Märklin +0203 is 9+ x 3* x 2 mm %01( motor output& Hestrictedby space, there are a few Märklin'Motorola compatible alternatives, eg7

The iessmann 435+ which is 35+ x *5 x 32 mm %**(&

The Buehn A034 which is **5 x 11 x 99 mm %0?(&

The <hlenbrock ?+400 %?+430 with A;M plug& which is 33 x *3 x 4 mm %**(&

 (ll decoders above have load compensation features, and re=uire D" motorsHecommended by some people, I selected the <hlenbrock ?+400

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The circ#it board before conversion

The circuit board contains electronics for managing the two light bulbs to be turnedon6off depending on the engine direction This is not needed with a digital decoderThe #wiss lights logics, ie having three lights turned on in the front, one light turnedon in the rear, is managed by plastic light conductors under the engine roof eforeinstalling the decoder, the two diodes have to be removed %see above picture& (lsothe unit under the engine, that provides the direction switch functions, must beremoved

The decoder in place #nder the en$ine

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 All wires are soldered 

 (bove, you will see that all re=uired wires from the decoder have been solderedaccording to the following schema %which of course differs from the Märklin +0203&7

+ed7 Track Cower 

*lac7 Ground Heturn

-re.7 Motor "onnection

range7 Motor "onnection

%ite7 Eront -eadlight

 ello,7 Hear -eadlight

*lue7 -eadlight Heturn

$n the picture, you can also see that two circuits are cut In addition, there is a thirdcircuit under the circuit board that has to be cut

Testing the locomotive %default address @ 9&, the engine operates even smootherthan the e 56+ converted in the previous session %like any Märklin 9?xxx locomotivewould& $f course this is a newer model, and the fact that it is running on 1 wheelshelps a lot