Converting an LGB MTS3 set up to operate with the Marklin Central Station 62015, any suggestions?

YorkshireLGB

YorkshireLGB

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Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, but I wanted to ask members experiences of adding a Marklin Central Station CS3 + to an existing MTS3 layout. My MTS3 layout has every whistle and bell that was made for MTS3, including switch decoders, wireless set up, feedback modules and train detection modules, however I miss out on the many extra functions on the newer LGB locomotives only using the MTS3 hand held controllers. What I want to know is how easy is it to integrate the CS3 +, is it simply a matter of connecting it to powered track and it picks up all the decoders etc or is it more complicated, the documentation and information available online assume that you are starting from scratch. I don't really want to move to any other brand/controller system because I am familiar with MTS3 and the Central Station CS3+ seems logical to incorporate the latest technology, I just want to see how it will integrate with my existing setup. Thanks guys!
 
The most easy system to move to is the Massoth DiMAX 1210Z Central Station with 12 amp max track power. As all your MTS system was designed and made by Massoth the change over is simple
 
Railway42 said:
The most easy system to move to is the Massoth DiMAX 1210Z Central Station with 12 amp max track power. As all your MTS system was designed and made by Massoth the change over is simple
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Can I ask, does the 1210Z system facilitate the use of the all the decoder functions in the newer LGB Marklin locomotives?
 
As far as I know the Marklin MFX decoders automatically switch from MFX to DCC. My friends new Marklin loco works on his Massoth DCC OK. It depends what you mean by all decoder functions. Massoth do not auto fill in the loco Address etc.
 
YorkshireLGB said:
Can I ask, does the 1210Z system facilitate the use of the all the decoder functions in the newer LGB Marklin locomotives?
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With the latest firmware updates on the Massoth Navigator, I believe the answer is yes, you can access all the functions available on an MFX decoder.

Jon.
 
DCC is only expected to be compatible with regard to the commands sent down the track. Different manufacturers can use different control bus designs to interconnect the various modules of their systems.

Decoders and accessories that are addressed by the DCC command station via the track *should* work with a different brand of command station (but occasionally there are little niggles).

If you have accessory modules such as feedback and detection units and wireless receivers which "talk" to the MTS3 over a bus connection (not via the track) then I would assume those won't work as the Marklin CS3 doesn't "talk" the same bus protocol as far as I know? You stand a much better chance of those modules working with the Massoth system as MTS3 stuff was made by Massoth as has been mentioned.
 
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A cheaper option would be to add the Massoth Navigator controller to your MTS3 system. That will increase the scope of the MTS3 considerably (speed steps, over 1000 loco address, to mention just 2). And then it will work later if/when you move up to a Z1210. Your LGB components will not be compatible with the CS3 as Nick pointed out above.
 
Yes, add a Navigator, as this will give you most 'bang for your buck'..
 
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