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Technical Information

Speaker Failure in BR18 Steam Locomotive with Sound Effects!

We have received and repaired several of the Märklin BR18 steam locomotives which have lost their sound.  The problem seems to be the volume setting on the decoder.  If the volume pot is turned up more than half way, you stand a chance of overdriving the speaker and burning it out.  This can be an expensive venture as Märklin only offers the speaker/sound board together as one part.  We have discovered a suitable replacement speaker that fits perfectly and is almost identical to the factory speaker.  99% of the time, this is the only part needing replacement to restore the sound.  An ounce of prevention......check the volume setting on your sound board!  Turn it to the extreme position in both directions and make note where the half way point seems to be.  Set the pot at the half way point or lower.  This gives more than sufficient sound volume with the tender shell replaced.

Correct Installation of 74030 insulators on C-Track center rail contacts.

0340 Signal Manual Now Available for Download FREE!

Märklin has decided to make the signal manual 0340 available free because the printing costs are prohibitive.  Go to http://www.marklin.com/tech to download now!  

Displaying and Storing locomotives

Locomotives in display cases or stored in their boxes for long periods of time should be run at least once a year.  Oiling a locomotive before storage is detrimental!  There is a danger of the oil hardening in the mechanism.  Although Märklin oil (7149) is made to particular specifications, this product may harden over long periods of storage time! (We Recommend the use of HAG special Oil!)

Tips:

(Helmuts Hobbies recommend the use of LaBelle 107 or 108 oil for Z locomotives to prevent lock-up)   If you suspect a Z loco is locked up DO NOT try to free it up yourself.  The motor WILL burn out quickly due to the excessive current flow through the fine windings of the armature.

HO locomotives store best with the box oriented so the locomotive is sitting on its wheels instead of lying on its side.  This helps prevent the oil on the armature from wicking down onto the comutator and soaking the brushes.   This is one reason we replace seemingly new looking brushes.  Many times they are oil soaked and if reinstalled will eventually cause the insulating segments of the armature to fill with carbon.  This causes poor performance and can eventually lead to armature failure. 

Save your Digital Decoders!

Locos with digital decoders (especially newer locos with the high efficiency propulsion decoders) need routine maintenance to protect their decoders from failure.  I have had numerous locomotives come in with decoder failure that is caused by the armature's insulating segments getting clogged with brush residue and oil.  Excessive oil on the armature bearings of locomotives (which use brushes 601460) wicks down onto the armature comutator.  As the brushes wear, the carbon dust collects in the oil instead of falling away.  This carbon dust is conductive and when mixed with oil it gets packed into the insulating segments (grooves) of the armature by the brushes.  This causes excessive current to be drawn by the motor and can eventually burns out the decoder. 

There is a simple and cost effective fix for this.  At least once a year, or more often if you use a particular loco a lot, clean out the motor cover and the armature.  This is easy to do.

1. Remove the brushes from the cover by pulling the brush springs out of the way.  Remove the two screws that hold the motor cover in place and remove the cover being careful not to break any wires. 

2. Use a cotton swab wet with Ronsonol lighter fluid to wipe out the residue from inside the cover.  Wipe again with a dry swab. 

3. Remove the armature and use another swab wet with fluid to gently wipe the contact surface (the copper part) of the armature comutator.  Check the grooves on the comutator to make sure they are clear of dirt and debris.  You may flush the armature with clean fluid right from the bottle if necessary to remove debris.  Dry the armature with a paper towel and re-install.   Install the motor cover and retaining screws.

4.  Clean the brushes by rolling them on the paper towel with a little fluid and check them for wear and replace if necessary.  Fit the brushes into the motor cover and return the retaining springs to their original positions.  Finally, put just a trace of oil on the armature shaft where it protrudes through the brush cover. 

You have just saved yourself the cost of a new decoder.  It is easy and fast to do.  However, I realize some folks are still squeamish at the thought of going this far.  That is okay.  That is why we are here to help.  We will perform this service for locos $55.00 plus return shipping and brushes if needed.  Remember, over oiling the front motor bearing on your locos which use the 601460 brushes is to be avoided if at all possible.