Tip: 60921 Upgrade Conversion of 3709 Steam Locomotive

Date: 12-08-2008 Updated 31-03-2012 Correction 20-05-2014

Hi All,
I decided to upgrade my friend Johns 3709 locomotive to have controllable functions using the Marklin
60921 mfx decoder. The locomotive by default used a 6090 decoder and the F0 light function was used to
switch both telex couplers leaving the lights and smoke option always switched on.

The 60921 MFX decoder has the usual F0 function for lights and two extra functions F1 + F2 which I
chose to use to switch the telex couplers and smoke unit.
Warning: - The size of the 60921 is smaller than the old 60901 decoder and as a result of this the function
outputs have reduced capability. Marklin states 150mA for each function output. In the instructions
Marklin states that two telex couplers can be connected to the one function output. They should have
stated the type of telex couplers as the telex couplers on the 3709 locomotive require 165-170mA for each
telex.
To overcome this problem I wired a Nais TN2-12V relay to switch the two telex couplers together
controlled by F2, it was glued to the existing bracket with hot melt (see red arrow). I used F1 for the
smoke function.

The upgrade conversion was very straight forward. I used a cable tie to hold the decoder on to the
existing support bracket and programmed the decoder using Johns ECoS.
On testing the locomotive I discovered that the smoke unit didnt smoke all the time. The body shell is
only held by two screws which allow the drive wheels to move within the shell as it goes around curves.
Because of this movement the electrical connection is interrupted.
I solved this problem by using A
Marklin solder lug wired to the
ground connection of the
locomotive (see yellow arrow)
With the body shell fitted the
screw holds the solder lug
firmly against the shell making a
very good electrical connection.

The photos above show the original light bulbs being used.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html

Tip: 60921 Upgrade Conversion of 3709 Steam Locomotive

Date: 12-08-2008 Updated 31-03-2012 Correction 20-05-2014
Hello All,
I decided to improve this locomotive by converting to warm white LEDs for the lighting and add a
further two chassis ground connections to improve the running.
I also noticed that I needed a schematic diagram, so at long last here it is.

Schematic Diagram

1k

1k
1
F1

60921
F2

10
4
3

Telex Rear

Telex Front
The 1k resistors are soldered in line with the connecting wire and covered with heat shrink. The 1N4148
diodes are shown in the photos on the following pages.
Part Number
934-1102
120-0956
102-3035
108-1177
PLCC2LW3CT
330PWO4C

Supplier
Element14
Element14
Element14
Element14
Ledz.com
Ledz.com

Description
1K MF25 Resistor 0.25W, 1%
Nais TN2-12V Relay
Harwin SIL Socket 32Way D01-9973242
1N4148 Signal diode
PLCC2 warm white LED
3mm warm white LED

Quantity
2
1
1
3
1
1

Front and rear view of the locomotive

with warm white LED lighting.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html

Tip: 60921 Upgrade Conversion of 3709 Steam Locomotive

Date: 12-08-2008 Updated 31-03-2012 Correction 20-05-2014

Led Lights and Telex Diodes

The front light LED (red arrow) is a PLCC2 type
soldered to cut off resistor leads and plugged
into the existing light socket.
The grey arrow shows a 1k resistor soldered in
line with the grey wire and covered with heat
shrink.
The yellow arrow shows the cathode of the
Telex diode connected to the centre rail red wire.

The rear light LED (green arrow) is a 3mm round

type plugged into the existing light socket.
The yellow arrow shows a 1k resistor soldered in
line with the yellow wire and covered with heat
shrink, it connects to the cathode of the LED.
The orange +wire connected to the LED anode as
shown in the photo.

The yellow arrows show the location of the Telex diodes for the front and rear Telex couplers. The anode
is connected to the chassis ground and the cathode is connected to the Telex coupling wire, refer to page 2
for wiring schematic.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html

Tip: 60921 Upgrade Conversion of 3709 Steam Locomotive

Date: 12-08-2008 Updated 31-03-2012 Correction 20-05-2014

Relay Connections for the Telex Couplers

The connections (yellow rectangle) are the violet common connections in the schematic diagram page 2
from pin 4 of the relay to the Telex couplers front and rear.
The brown/green wire connects to pin 10 of the relay and is the F2 function from the decoder.
The orange +wire connected to pin 1 of the relay.
The red wire on pin 3 of the relay connects to the anode of the diode covered with heat shrink (see page 2
top yellow arrow)
All wire connections to the relay pins use the Harwin rolled pin connectors soldered as single sockets and
protected with heat shrink.

Extra Chassis Ground Connections

The blue arrows show where I have wired extra chassis ground wires to overcome the paint which acts as
an insulator around the mounting screw on the pony trucks.

As always enjoy your hobby.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rossstew/rms/marklin.html