Mechanical
To get good results with a digital
conversion, it is essential that the locomotive be mechanically sound and in
good running condition. Fitting a decoder and high performance motor into
a badly running unit will not fix problems caused through “bad mechanics”. Whenever I
undertake a digital conversion, I will normally give the loco a thorough
mechanical inspection and service, and replace any worn parts (gears etc) as
part of that exercise. I will not "slap a decoder" into a locomotive!
Motor Options
Most modern decoders require a motor with a permanent
magnetic field in order to get feedback to the decoder for load regulation
purposes. For locos equipped with one of the standard Märklin universal motors,
the most recommended method of achieving this is to retrofit a modern high efficiency motor kit. There are three types that Märklin produce -
| DCM - Drum Commutator Motor (60941) |
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| SFCM - Small Flat Commutator Motor (60943) |
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| LFCM - Large Flat Commutator Motor (60944) |
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Click on the image for a larger view.
Decoder Options
Firstly if you want to just convert one of your treasured analogue locos from when you were a child, then the cheapest option would be to install an AC/DC loco decoder 60906. This decoder will run your loco as if it were analogue but with the advantage of having a couple of seperate functions such as head lights, cab lights and even smoker. The old elecromagnetic motor remains in the loco which means a not so smooth operation but better than pure analogue.
Both Märklin and ESU produce decoders with generic sound preloaded for Steam, Diesel or Electric locos but I like to down load sounds from the Märklin server applicable to that Class of loco and then modify the sounds and function settings according to the customers requirements. I like to install the 21 pin interface decoders where ever I can but sometimes due to lack of space I might have to install a wired harness decoder. The main thing for any customer to decide is whether they want a sound or non sound decoder?
Both Märklin and ESU produce decoders that automatically register themselves, mfx in the case of Märklin or M4 in the case of ESU. If you don't have a controller that has mfx protocol then you can just register the loco manually in MM protocol.
What do I recommend? It all depends on your budget and what you want to pay for.
If you don't give me any specific settings then I am happy to leave the decoder in it's default settings.
Märklin 21 pin interface decoder:
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Märklin wired harness decoder:
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ESU LokPilot decoder: |
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Märklin AC/DC loco decoder 60906. |
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Click on the image for a larger view.
