Marklin AC to DCC-Ready for under a Dollar! - Convert Marklin or HAG AC Locomotives to DCC for Cheap

In this video I convert a HAG locomotive that’s designed for Marklin AC analog track into a DCC model that can run with my Marklin Central Station. I use a cheap bridge rectifier instead of an expensive kit or a replacement magnet.
Please note that this technique works well with dual brush commutators but doesn’t work well on single commutator motors like LFCM models.
today i'm going to help you with a pretty common problem that i see people asking about on the internet and here on youtube and that's how we can convert a marklin ac analog locomotive into one that will run on dcc so you can run it on your markland track that is controlled by a markland central station or some other dcc controller
okay one of the ways that you can do this is by purchasing for around 30 bucks one of these marklin conversion kits they work really well and you know i think in a lot of ways they're worth the money if you want to go this route another way you can do it is to purchase one of these permanent magnets by esu they run around 15 bucks to be honest i've had somewhat mixed luck with these i don't know if the plastic is particularly good for holding the two arms in place or not but i'm just decided not to go this route anymore
you know but the components you already have inside of your hag or Marklin are actually already suited to converting to dcc and you don't really have to do anything expensive or special you know the magnet here is just fine except it's not a permanent magnet like you need for a dc motor but it's an electromagnet so all you need to do is run some current through it and it will actually turn into a magnet that you can use
okay in order to work on magic we're going to rely on this little miracle component that's known as a bridge rectifier it takes inbound some sort of electrical signal ac is marked here and it converts it to dc which is really handy for us they come in all shapes and sizes including this really small one they even have smaller ones but they're always marked with something like these little squiggly lines and then plus minus and that's the key to what we want here now what's really nice about these little gizmos is they sure are cheap cheaper than either of the options that i've pointed out to you and i think that's great because we don't want to spend a whole lot of money when we don't really have to on this already expensive hobby now the one i've chosen for this project is the 2w06 rectifier which is really great because it has about a 2 amp limit you don't really have to worry about voltage too much with rectifiers but amperage does certainly make a difference so this one will suit really well since the dcc decoder i'm using actually tops out at about 1.5 amps now even though most rectifiers indicate that they take ac as an input actually they'll take dc as an input too and that's exactly what we want here so this will be great for our purposes now what's going to happen is we're going to take the output from the plus and minus and put that into our electromagnet and that's going to become our permanent magnet so to speak and that's what's going to help us run our dc #modeltrain #modelrailroad #hoscale #hogauge #modeldiorama #modellocomotive #miniaturerailroad #train #locomotive #railroading #modelbahn #modellbahn #modelbahnen #modeltrains #modelrailroading #modelrailways #modelrailroading #howto #howtovideo #miniatures #miniaturerailroad #coupler

[@pedrov.piffaut6585]

Great tip and video, thank you so much!!!!

[@alanaitken4206]

Brilliant , never thought of that , your video demonstrates is so invaluable ,I will try convert it on Marklin 3053 electric locomotive E03002. Thanks for sharing video.

[@adamdelarozza1985]

The end result is the old Marklin A.C. transformer is then replaced with the direct current Train transformer control. The center rail is + p0sitive , the two tracks are the - negative. The 5-pole motor with the permanent magnet can still be used and will draw less current or the old Marklin electro magnet coil does, Although it can still be used for the magnet but this will draw more current & heat running the voltage through it.., i think the perm magnet is a better option. Thanks for showing us this informative video.🙂

[@anubhavguha140]

This is an ingenious breakthrough for confused noobs like me in the modelbahn universe. I have followed your instructions and used a rectifier that costs less than half a dollar, in order to run a very old Marklin AC Analog locomotive that was made in 1951. However, the loko is currently draining more than 1.5 amps of current and the rectifier is getting heated up after 5 mins of playtime. I have added Al plates with heat sink paste to cover the rectifier for now, Lets see how far it goes. Cant thank you enough for this Doctor Hobby

[@DoctorHobby]

Ahh, yes, some adjustments will need to be made, especially for older, less efficient models. Let me know how it goes!

[@Marco-xz9sc]

Hey Dr.Hobby, I did on larger scale. I did with an old Lionel AC motor on a TMCC ACL diesel. I got a beefier recitifier and it worked analog but with LokSound L it didn’t want to move… any thoughts??

[@Locostop]

Great work 👍. One question, the decoder track wires will be connected to the centre rail and two side rails as usual, correct?

[@DoctorHobby]

That's correct. The red "hot" wire is connected to the center slider while the black "neutral" is connected to the two side rail pickups on the wheels.

[@marcelschwartz6198]

((E) Good work!! In fact, the pole brackets from esu and the pole brackets from Märklin Series 83 (permanent magnet) is not recommended, for lack of ventilation (lack of cooling) the (permanent magnets) in the pole bracket tend to discharge, only the new pole bracket from Märklin Series 37 (permanent magnets) do not tend to discharge (permanent magnets) in the pole bracket. Pole brackets from HAG are reliable, the (permanent magnets) in the pole bracket do not tend to discharge. Field brackets from Märklin series /36.../35.../34.../33.../31.../30... can be polarized with the Graetz circuit (consisting of 2 diodes) [control phase P1. p2 (L1.L2.)]. Field brackets from HAG can also be poled with the Graetz circuit (consisting of 2 diodes) [control phase P1. P2] (L1.L2.)]. Whether you then have the load balance is questionable. The wiring from the original AC motor Märklin or from the original AC motor HAG is retained, as with analog AC operation. The changeover switch is removed and replaced by the Graetz circuit, which consists of [2 diodes] connected to the [control phase P1. P2] on the field bracket where the changeover switch was connected, control phase P output of the field coil is connected to from the motor shield (rotor terminal P). [ Lead of the Graetz circuit (consisting of 2 diodes) to control P wire from the decoder] [Control wire N from the motor shield (rotor terminal N) to control wire N from the decoder] i.e. to the control P N wire from the decoder. The control wire PN can now be connected as usual from the motor to the terminals PN of the decoder: Applies to DCC -AC decoders!!! Control wire P N wire from the motor orange/grey at the DCC -AC decoder (with cable or interface). [Control wires P N from the motor are green/blue at (Märklin)] for DCC -AC [DCC -AC Decoder Märklin]. (DCC -AC Decoder Märklin) (with cable or interface). When these are available. It is imperative to use DCC decoders that are also designed for analog AC operation!! Only for AC locomotive!! [Never use DCC decoders that are also designed for analog DC operation!! Unless it is a DC locomotive]. The DCC decoder will go up in smoke (DCC decoder is destroyed). And therefore unusable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gute Arbeit!! In der Tat die pol Bügel von esu und die pol Bügel von Märklin Serie 83 (Permanentmagnet) ist nicht zu empfehlen, mangels Belüftung (mangels Kühlung) neigen sich die (Permanentmagnete) in dem pol Bügel zu entladen, Einzig der neue pol Bügel von Märklin Serie 37 (Permanentmagnete) neigen sich nicht die (Permanentmagnete) in dem pol Bügel zu entladen. Pol Bügel von HAG sind zuverlässig neigen sich nicht die (Permanentmagnete) in dem pol Bügel zu entladen. Feld Bügel von Märklin Serie /36…/35…/34…/33…/31…/30…, können mit der Graetz Schaltung (bestehend aus 2 Dioden) gepolt werden [Steuer fasen P1. P2. (L1. L2.)]. Auch Feld Bügel von HAG Können mit der Graetz Schaltung (bestehend aus 2 Dioden) gepolt werden [Steuer fasen P1. P2] (L1. L2.)]. Ob man dann den last Ausgleich hat ist fraglich. Die Verdrahtung von dem original AC Motor Märklin oder von dem original AC Motor HAG bleit erhalten, wie beidem analogen AC betrieb. Der Umschalter wird ausgebaut und durch die Graetz Schaltung ersetzt, die aus [2 Dioden besteht] die an die [Steuer fasen P1. P2] am Feld Bügel wo der Umschalter angeschlossen war, Steuer fasen P Ausgang der Feldspule wird an von dem Motor Schild (Rotor Klemme P) angeschlossen. [ Zuleitung der Graetz Schaltung (bestehend aus 2 Dioden) an Steuer P Leiter von dem Decoder] [Steuer Leiter N von dem Motor Schild (Rotor Klemme N) an Steuer Leiter N von dem Decoder] also an die Steuer P N Leiter von dem Decoder. Die Steuer Leiter P N kann nun wie gewohnt die Steuer Leiter P N von dem Motor an die Klemmen P N von dem Decoder angeschlossen werden: Gilt für DCC -AC Decoder!!! Steuer Leiter P N Leiter von dem Motor orange/ Grau bei dem DCC -AC Decoder (mit Kabel oder Schnittstelle). [Steuer Leiter P N von dem Motor sind bei (Märklin) grün/blau] für DCC -AC [DCC -AC Decoder Märklin]. (DCC -AC Decoder Märklin) (mit Kabel oder Schnittstelle). Wenn diese erhältlich sind. DCC - Decoder die auch für den analogen AC betrieb ausgelegt sind zwingend verwenden!! Nur für AC Lok!! [Keinen Fall DCC - Decoder die auch für den analogen DC betrieb ausgelegt sind verwenden!! Es sei das es sich um eine DC Lok handelt]. So wird der DCC - Decoder in rauch auf gehen (DCC - Decoder ist zerstört). Und somit unbrauchbar.

[@marcelschwartz6198]

(D) Schöne Lösung mi dem Brückengleichrichter es dürfte auch aderst gehen, ohne den spulendrat on dem Motoren Schild zu abzulöten die Steuerleiter P1. P2. (L1. L2.) verbleibe an den Klemen bei den Feldbügel P1. P2. (L1. L2.) N, verbleibt mit der Drossel an dem Motoren Schild der spulendrat (Ausgang der spule wird zu P und das Kabel mit der Drossel wird zu N also (P: N.) Steuerleiter P1. P2. (L1. L2.) Zuleitung der spule von dem Feldbügel werden an die 2 Dioden angeschlossen genauso wie man das macht für den Lichtwechsel bei DC Loks (bei Wechsel der Fahrtrichtung). Steuerleiter P von dem DCC Decoder für dem Motor werden an die Zuleitung der 2 Dioden angeschlossen. N. von dem DCC Decoder für dem Motor wird an die Drossel von den N. der mit der Drossel verblieb. Nun wird aus dem AC Motor ein AC Motor. Der auch mit DC blieben werden Kannen. mit (dem Wechsel der Fahrtrichtung). Die Restliche Verkabelung wird wie gehabt mit dem DCC Decoder verbunden. Beachten sie die Bilder. Die kosten für ein Paket geeigneter Dioden sind nicht. so hoch. Zudem ist das Paket (mit 2 Dioden) sehr kompakt als platzsparend, und kann bei einer Lok im lokinneren gut untergebracht werden. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (E) Nice solution with the bridge rectifier, it should also work without unsoldering the coil wire on the motor shield, the P1 control conductor. p2 (L1. L2.) remain on the clamps at the field brackets P1. p2 (L1. L2.) N, remains with the choke on the motors shield the coil wire (output of the coil becomes P and the cable with the choke becomes N, i.e. (P: N.) control wire P1. P2. (L1. L2 .) The lead of the coil from the field bracket is connected to the 2 diodes in the same way as you do for the light change in DC locomotives (when changing the direction of travel).Control conductor P from the DCC decoder for the motor is connected to the lead of the 2 diodes. N. of the DCC decoder for the motor is connected to the throttle of the N. which remained with the throttle. Now the AC motor becomes an AC motor. The can also be left with DC. with (the change of direction). The rest of the wiring is connected to the DCC decoder as usual. The costs for a package of suitable diodes are not that high. In addition, the package (with 2 diodes) is very compact and space-saving, and can be easily accommodated in a locomotive inside the locomotive.

[@marcelschwartz6198]

(E) Another thing you should say goodbye to at Märklin, from which (Märklin system) with a decoder it is (MFX-AC) (Motorola-AC) (DCC-AC) has 2 different cable trees (wiring) at (MFX-AC ) (Motorola-AC) these are the colors of the Märklin system [control wire PN from the motor are green/blue for (Märklin)] with DCC-AC they are the colors [control wire PN from the motor are orange/grey with the DCC -AC decoder] which is also used for Märklin -Trix systems for DC locomotives (DCC -DC). (AC locomotives or DC locomotives) do not differ as far as the cable tree (wiring) is concerned, so you can say goodbye to the clock-old braid at Märklin!! The (wiring) remains the same for (AC locos and DC locos) both have a (DC Motor P N) nowadays except for Märklin and HAG there is still a (AC Motor 2P N (L1. L2. N)) only for Märklin [Soft Sinus motor series 39... are 3-phase (R.S.T.N.) (P1 P2 P3 N).] the production of the soft sine motor series 39... has been discontinued at Märklin!! Only type no. 39... is used here. for locomotives be it for (AC or DC). Does the Märklin system have its own brand of electronics and AC decoder or DC decoder, which also makes sense. Märklin AC and Märklin -Trix DC that have a series 39 soft sine motor... Can be switched to DCC decoders, AC decoders or DC decoders when used with the different makes of DC decoder is very complex because you also need the control electronics, you have to know where to feed the [control wire P N (wire from the motor orange/grey) from the DC decoder. That's why it's better to leave Märklin's own make. If there is an interface, you can also use other makes of DC decoder. (E.g.) (DCC -AC) or (DCC -DC), if the power supply from the motor (orange/grey) is in the right place at the interface on the circuit board. Where is the power supply for the control electronics for the (Soft Sinus Motor Series 39...), for the cables (orange/grey) so that the DCC decoder transmits the control commands for the direction of travel and the speed to the control electronics for the (Soft Sine motor series 39…). It is very likely that the term "3-wire" or "2-wire" has become common because the (AC Motor 2P N (L1. L2. N)) motor requires one more wire, i.e. "3-wire" for the (DC Motor P N) only "2-wire" so today one still uses "3-wire" for AC locomotives and "2-wire" for DC locomotives, although to put it bluntly, Märklin and HAG also use "2-wire" DC locomotives today in 2022. Conductors" are only the supply line. P is moderately on, the supply line has a different arrangement. Even with high-voltage current 230V /400V, the old hands still speak of (R. S. T. N. PE) instead of (L1. L2. L3. N. PE) in the year 2022, where they say goodbye to the (" R. S. T. N, PE ") "-thing and go". should!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (D) Ein weites man sich bei Märklin quasi verabschieden sollte, von dem (Märklin-System )bei einem Decoder sei es (MFX- AC) (Motorola-AC) (DCC-AC) 2 verschiedene Kabel Bäume (Verdrahtung) hat bei (MFX- AC) (Motorola-AC) sind es die Farben von den Märklin-System [Steuer Leiter P N von dem Motor sind bei (Märklin) grün/blau] bei DCC-AC sind es die Farben [Steuer Leiter P N Leiter von dem Motor orange/ Grau bei dem DCC -AC Decoder]die auch Märklin -Trix -System für DC Loks(DCC -DC) verwendet wird. (AC Loks oder DC Loks) unterscheiden sich nicht was der Kabel Baum (Verdrahtung) angeht, deshalb kann man sich bei Märklin von der Uhr alten Zopf verabschieden!! Die (Verdrahtung) bleibt dieselbe bei (AC Loks und DC Loks) beide haben heutzutage ein (DC Motor P N) ausgenommen bei Märklin und HAG gibt es noch ein (AC Motor 2P N (L1. L2. N)) nur bei Märklin [Soft Sinus Motor Serie 39… sind 3 phasig (R.S.T.N.) (P1 P2 P3 N).] die Produktion von dem Soft Sinus Motor Serie 39… ist bei Märklin eingestellt!! Hier wird nur noch die Art Nr. 39… verwendet. für Loks sei es für (AC oder DC). Hat Märklin System bedingt Elektronik und AC Decoder oder DC Decoder ein eigenes Fabrikat was auch sin macht. Märklin AC und Märklin -Trix DC die einen Soft Sinus Motor Serie 39… haben Können auf DCC Decoder, AC Decoder oder DC Decoder umgestellt werden ist bei der Verwendung bei den verschieden DC Decoder Fabrikate sehr aufwendig da man auch die Steuer Elektronik braucht, man muss wissen wo man die [Steuer Leiter P N (Leiter von dem Motor orange/ Grau) von dem DC Decoder einspeisen muss. Deshalb belässt man besser das eigene Fabrikat von Märklin. Wenn es eine Schnittstelle gibt, kann man auch andere DC Decoder Fabrikate verwenden. (Zb.) (DCC -AC) oder (DCC -DC), wenn an der Platine bei der Schnittstelle die Einspeisung von dem Motor (orange/ Grau) an der richtigen Stelle ist. Wo man bei der Steuer Elektronik für den (Soft Sinus Motor Serie 39…), für die Kabel (orange/ Grau) die Einspeisung ist damit der DCC Decoder die Steuer befehle der Fahrtrichtung und der Geschwindigkeit weiter gibt an die Steuer Elektronik für den (Soft Sinus Motor Serie 39…). Sehr wahrscheinlich hat sich der Begriff "3-Leiter" oder "2-Leiter" eingebürgert, weil bei dem (AC Motor 2P N (L1. L2. N)) Motor bezogen ein Leiter mehr benötigt wird sprich "3-Leiter" bei dem (DC Motor P N) nur "2-Leiter" so mit verwendet man heute noch für Wechselstrom Loks "3-Leiter" und für Gleichstrom Loks "2-Leiter" obwohl über spitz gesagt auch Märklin und HAG heutzutage anno 2022 Gleichstrom Loks "2-Leiter" sind nur der die Zuleitung. P ist Schleifer mässig an geht, hat die Zuleitung eine andere Anordnung. Selbst beidem Starkstrom 230V /400V sprechen die alten Hasen noch von (R. S. T. N. PE) anstatt von (L1. L2. L3. N. PE) anno 2022 wo man sich quasi von dem (" R. S. T. N, PE ") " -Gedöns verabschieden " sollte!!!

[@pedrov.piffaut6585]

Please, I would appreciate it if someone can advise on which of the following three decoders would work best with the cheap bridge rectifier proposed by Doctor Hobby. All three are sold on eBay. Thank you!!! 1. Marklin Digital Locomotive Decoder, Programmable, from 60760 kit 2. Märklin H0 60906 Märklin Locomotive Decoder Allstrom 3. Märklin 60972 Locomotive Decoder mLD3 mfx/MM1/MM2/DCC 21 MTC 21MTC

[@tomaswolf5882]

does that mean that if I wire it like you, I can run in on a standard analogue DC 2 rail track? do i have to somehow make pick ups from rails also?

[@DoctorHobby]

This is a great question, and, yes, there would be two challenges. Converting it to pick up the "positive" from the engineer's side would be the first issue. Many Marklin wheels aren't insulated because there's no point in doing that. The second is that the gauge of Marklin wheels is actually slightly different compared to NMRA. It would potentially work without a hitch until the locomotive had to roll into a point.. Then.. Not so sure if it would take the switch without hassle.

[@bhotla66]

This video uses 3rd rail Marklin tracks. My 2cent knowledge says it won't work on 2rail DCC or DC. The wheels for 3rail and 2rail are different. 3rail wheels on 2rail will get shorted.

[@joaomadeira3775]

Hi, its possible have your email? I'm trying to put a decoder on a Marklin locomotive but I need some technical advice! Regards, Sean

[@DoctorHobby]

[e-mail]

[@marcelschwartz6198]

(E) For Märklin 3015, should not be used with a decoder PN (PN) or decoder 2PN (P1 P2 N) decoder Motorola-(AC) / MFX -(AC) / (DCC-(AC) which are rated only 1.2A are too short from the maximum A. With a Märklin 3015, a trailer load of 1.0 A must be calculated using the thumb. Minimum payload maximum A. 1.5 A. Märklin has made a replica for the 3015 Märklin Theme 150 years of Märklin 31859 model of the series Ce 6/8 lll 31859-green this [decoder item No. 145 199 Märklin] should be suitable. Whether this decoder is a decoder Motorola-(AC) / MFX AC (AC) / or (DCC-(AC), [Motorola-(AC) 2P N. / MFX -(AC)] 2 control phases 2P. N. or [(DCC-(AC) 1 control phase P. N.] I can't say because my Märklin 3015 have been converted to DC analog operation [P1. P2. N. (L1. L2. N.)] with a Graetz Circuit are provided so that change of direction and light change are possible because I only have DC models in H0 while retaining the original AC motor Märklin with light change (CH) SBB.phase P. N.] I can't say because my Märklin 3015 have been converted to DC analog operation [P1. P2. N. (L1. L2. N.)] with a Graetz Circuit are provided so that change of direction and light change are possible because I only have DC models in H0 while retaining the original AC motor Märklin with light change (CH) SBB. ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (D) Für Märklin 3015, sollte nicht mit einem Decoder P N (P N) oder Decoder 2P N (P1 P2 N) Decoder Motorola-(AC) / MFX -(AC) / (DCC--(AC) der nur 1,2A ausgelegt sind verwendet werden, die sind von der max. A. zu knapp!! Bei einem Märklin 3015 muss über den Daumen mit 1,0A mit anhängelast gerechnet werden. Minimum Nutzlast max. A. 1,5A. Märklin hat 3015 Märklin ein Nachbau gefertigt zu dem Thema 150 Jahre Märklin 31859 Modell der Serie Ce 6/8 lll 31859-grün diesen [Decoder Art Nr. 145 199 Märklin] müsste geeignet sein. Ob dieser Decoder ein Decoder Motorola-(AC) / MFX AC (AC) / oder (DCC--(AC), [Motorola-(AC) 2P N. / MFX -(AC)] 2 Steuer fasen 2P. N. oder [(DCC--(AC) 1 Steuer fase P. N.] ist. Kann ich die nicht sagen da meine Märklin 3015 auf DC analog betrieb umgebaut sind [P1. P2. N. (L1. L2. N.)] die mit einer Graetz Schaltung versehen sind damit Fahrtrichtung Wechsel und Licht Wechsel möglich sind da ich nur DC Modelle in H0 habe. bei Beibehaltung von dem original AC Motor Märklin. mit Licht Wechsel (CH) SBB.

[@dinglebopsmoothedwithshlee6830]

That's about as clear as mud.