02/08/2004 Digitising a 3048 steamer with ESU LokPilotDCC

Product Review

Manufacturer:


ESU

Item:


LokPilotDCC

Description:


Digital locomotive decoder

Rating:


****
Note that my reviews do not do price comparisons, I leave those judgements to the reader. Photographs may show the item combined with other products and simply reflect how I chose to use the product. The rating is made in the context of my personal requirements and desires.

The ESU LokPilot and LokPilotDCC decoders are good multifunction decoders with load control and many configurable settings, for example, the light intensity of lights, various flashing patterns etc. The only reason these decoders do not get 5 stars is their extreme sensitiviy to momentary loss of power - whch can happen if the track is dirty.

This is a sequence of photographs showing how I installed an ESU LokPolotDCC decoder into my Märklin 3048 steamer that has the old motor type with the large flat commutator. Also shown is the relay I added for the smoke unit.

Märklin 3048 steamer and ESU decoder
3048 Loco made in the mid 1960s, ESU LokPilotDCC Decoder and HAMO magnet are ready to be united. HAMO magnet is from ESU part number 51960
motor
Old brushes, wiring and electromagnet still in place
reversing mechanism
old mechanical reversing mechanism that will be replaced by the decoder
old reverser
underside of old reverser
dirty motor
motor cover is now off and reveals a filthy interior made up of carbon dust, old oil and dirt
cleaner motor
rotor and motor cover have now been cleaned with rubbing alcohol
cleaned gears
gears are pretty worn and now they are clean
rotor nd cover
get it really nice and clean !
3 pole rotor
the 3 pole rotor is pretty worn but I do not have a replacement
new permanent magnet in place
the new permanent magnet fits perfectly
light bulb mount
The light and smoke unit were electrically coupled and I want to be able to switch the light and smoke unit independently
light assembly
the old parts of the light holder in exploded view show how the base of the smoke unit contact touched the light bulb socket
light assemblyBy inserting some insulation (from an old M-Track turnout) between the light socket and the smoke unit contact I can deliver power to each independently
light assembled
the light fixture with my additional insulation in place
ESU decoder
the new decoder as it comes. I cut off the plug.
assembled motor
after lubricating the gears, the new magnet is put in place, then the clean rotor and then the motor cover holds it all in place.
decoder in place
The decoder has now replaced the old reverser and is wired up. The black tape is holding the unused wires out of the way.
decoder wiring
motor wiring is in place
smoke generator relay
In order to use the original analog smoke generator, I install a relay on F1 such that the function switches the relay and the relay switches the track voltage to the smoke unit.

The relay is ready to be installed (12V DC)
relay in place
Relay is now installed
Loco housing back on
housing is back on, loco is tested and runs fine.
speed curve
The actual speed curve as measured by my calibration software


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