Adding Accessories to Mobile Station 2 (MS2 Episode 6)

In this video we look at how to add accessories to the Mobile Station 2 (MS2). 3 accessories are used as examples:
A turnout decoder with OLD installation decoder
A signal with a NEW installation decoder
A M84 with a NEW multidecoder

3 simple steps are needed to connect an accessory to the Mobile Station 2 (MS2):
1. Set the address of the accessory
2. Connect the accessory to the power / digital signal
3. Use it

This video gives tips and tricks beyond these 3 simple steps and includes troubleshooting. A focus is on Märklin accessories with an overview of these. However, accessories from other brands can be added in the same way. The difference is how to set the address. You need to read the manual for the accessory to ensure you do it correctly.

WARNING: Always follow the manual when installing accessories and only have power ON when needed.

Tips & How to included:
• How to connect the accessory in 3 simple steps
• How to set the accessory address using dip switch
• How to select the accessory on the MS2
• How to change the accessory output/function on the MS2
• How to use DCC for accessories with the MS2
• Tip: Märklin Motorola (MM) is also called MMs or FX
• Tip: Recommend use Märklin Motorola (MM) for accessories with the MS2
• Tip: Only use DCC if you all your accessories support it
• Tip: All Märklin accessories support Märklin Motorola (MM)
• Tip: You cannot use MFX to control accessories with the MS2
• Tip: Most accessories from other brands support Märklin Motorola (MM)
• Tip: Accessory address 1 is different from locomotive address 1
• Tip: Märklin Motorola supports up to 320 addresses
• Tip: Some older Märklin Motorola (MM) accessories only support 256 addresses
• Tip: DCC supports up to 2040 addresses
• Tip: Some devices limit the address range you can set using the dip switch
• Tip: You can program an address to use the full address range, if supported
• Tip: Turnouts and 1 aspect signals take 1 address
• Tip: M83 and M84 take 4 addresses (default) or 8
• Tip: Three-way turnout and 3/4 aspect signals take 2 addresses
• Tip: New turn tables take 16 addresses
• Tip: New turn tables have default address MM 225-249
• Tip: New turn table can be programmed using MFX for DCC and other addresses
• Tip: Look in the manual how to set the address
• Tip: Remember to set the decoder format to either MM or DCC
• Tip: Märklin dip switch OFF is towards the numbers
• Tip: Märklin dip switch ON is away from the numbers
• Tip: ALWAYS power OFF when you change the dip switch
• Tip: ALWAYS power OFF when you connect accessories
• Tip: Use a small flat screwdriver to change the dip switch
• Tip: First reset by setting all dip switches to OFF, then set address
• Tip: Some other brands must have power ON when setting the address
• Tip: Each accessory must have its own address (or address range)
• Tip: Avoid using the same address for multiple accessories
• Tip: Plan which address to use for which accessory
• Tip: Put a sticker on the accessory with the address you have given it
• Tip: Have an overview of the addresses used
• Tip: Have a layout overview with the addresses/accessories
• Tip: Use a power bus for larger layouts
• Tip: "B" on track is the tab closest to the edge - connect to Red wire
• Tip: "0" on track is the tab furthest from the edge - connect to Brown wire
• Tip: Spade connector flat side towards the track
• Tip: Solder wires on a permanent layout for more secure reliable operations
• Tip: Connect the accessory to the same side as the power from the MS2 to avoid issues with contact track.
• Tip: use SHIFT+knob to change address fast
• Tip: When accessory just connected the MS2 does not know the state - change a couple of times to get in sync
• Tip: Change MS2 "Accessory Protocol" to desired MM or DCC

Enjoy and have fun with model trains :-)

Interesting links (English):
Märklin Mobile Station 2: https://www.maerklin.de/en/products/d...
Mobile Station 2 manual: https://static.maerklin.de/damcontent...

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:34 3 simple steps to connect
02:33 Plan addresses address format
03:58 Märklin accessory overview
04:32 Märklin Motorola (MM/MM2/FX)
05:51 MFX
06:13 DCC
07:05 NEW multidecoder
08:27 OLD multidecoder
09:09 NEW installation decoder
10:17 OLD installation decoder
11:43 Connect to power / digital signal
12:46 Use it
13:37 Accessory examples
14:28 Address examples
15:13 OLD installation decoder turnout MM address example
15:53 NEW installation decoder signal DCC address example
18:25 NEW multidecoder M84 MM address example
19:48 Connect to the track
23:31 Power ON MS2
23:47 Troubleshooting
25:21 Using the accessories
28:13 DCC addressing with MS2
30:13 Accessory Protocol back to MM
30:52 Outro