This can be done on many of the models based on the BR V36/236. I have converted the locomotives from the sets 2846, 2848, 28502, the 3145 and the double locomotive 3346.
Updated 22.01.2011
Märklin 2846, CFL 455
Conversion parts:
For the 2846 I used the conversion set 60901. The
newer set 60923 with a mfx decoder and the simpler set 60760 may also be
used. Only the decoder is different between the three conversion
sets.
A rather simple and straight
forward conversion. There are no needs for any modification to any
parts, except for the lamp holder for the common bulb for both front and rear
lights.
I have replaced the Relex couplers with close couplers from Märklin
7205, a set with 40 couplers for cars and 10 for locomotives.
Decoder:
The decoder is installed at the same place as the original reversing unit.
It is installed in the holder 258820.
Maybe I later on will install another decoder (from the 60760 kit or an mfx decoder) in this locomotive. These decoders give the possibility to adjust the maximum speed down to the prototypical correct speed of 60 km/h. 60 km/h is not possible with the current decoder. The speed adjustment range is not wide enough.
The decoder in CFL 255:
Motor:
Installation of the motor itself is simple. After removing all the existing
parts (motor, reversing unit, lamp etc.), clean the chassis and make sure
that everything (transmission and wheels etc.) is turning smoothly. Install the new
motor, firstly without the brushes. Check once more that everything revolves
freely. Install the brushes.
The motor in CFL 455:
Lamp:
The original lamp position in the locomotive is still used, now in a new
holder, Märklin part no. 624510, pressed into the original bulb holder, to use the 610080 bulb. See the above photos.
The grey wire to the lamp is soldered to both the grey and yellow wire solder
pad on the decoder. The lamp stays on in both driving directions.
The original lamp bottom contact is soldered to one if the lamp holder pins and
connected to the orange wire from the decoder.
The interior light is a 28 Volt T1 bulb connected to f1, brown/red wire.
The orange wire to the interior light comes from the above mentioned lamp bottom
contact.
A future improvement will be to replace the head lamp bulb with two LEDs, one for each driving direction, installed at the end of the light guides in the locomotive body.
Wire colours:
| Wire colour | function | Connecting to |
|---|---|---|
| Red wire | B (centre contacts) | pick-up shoe connector |
| Brown wire | 0 (tracks) | locomotive ground |
| Blue wire | Motor brush | rear brush holder |
| Green wire | Motor brush | front brush holder |
| Orange wire | Common + | both bulbs (front lamp and interior light) |
| Grey wire | Forward lights | these wires are connected together at the decoder and connected
to the free connector on the centre bulb, on in both directions |
| Yellow wire | Reverse light | |
| Brown/red wire | function 1 | interior light |
| Brown/green wire | function 2 | not connected |