Since I have converted over to Digital, I find that I suffer from one very annoying problem. The lighting pickup shoe on my coaches invariably short circuits whenever the coach passes over the points. Not all of my coaches do it, which would indicate that it is an adjustment problem. The offending coaches don't always do it repeatedly. It seems to be a random occurrence, but when it happens, everything grinds to a halt for a second or so and then everything starts up again.

I have tried raising the pickup shoe, but this results in an inadequate contact with the centre studs, resulting in flickering of the lights. I have watched the coach move at slow speed over the points. When the pickup shoe reaches the "highest" of the contact studs on the points, the back part of the pickup shoe lifts up and touches the rear wheel axle, causing the temporary short. From what I can see, Marklin have made the insulation board a little bit too short.

I have tried adjusting the pickup shoes, but there must be such a fine line between it working and not working that I must admit defeat. This problem just did not really matter too much when running under analogue mode.

I hope that I have explained my problem adequately enough. Has anyone else experienced this behaviour and if so, have you been able to come up with a solution?

Thanks in advance, Alan

Alan,

the first thing that came to mind would be to replace the affected wheelset with one that is insulated on both sides. This would prevent the short and would still allow the remaining wheelsets to function as ground return.

You do not mention whether you are using M, K or C Track. I presume that you are referring to more modern 4 axle coaches with pop in slider and ground contacts. The older models had a screw mounted slider that could be adjusted and had no added ground return contacts.
For the latest coaches and lighting kits, there are several sliders with differently positioned pin. It is important to use the right one for problem free operation.

For the oldest coaches (24cm and shorter - 1972 and earlier), I use the old generation Hag clip on slider which seems to work better than the original Maerklin slider with one support.

Regards

Mike C

I am using both M and C track. The problem occurs on both. My rolling stock is circa 1978 - 1984, with a screw mounted slider. Adjustment is basically by alignment as such. The coaches are as new, having been a "cupboard" layout for 30 years. Replacing all the wheel sets would be somewhat of a drastic measure. Alan

Dale & Ray, It looks like a bit of insulating tape then ;-) thanks, Alan

I had this problem with my Reingold set (41928). There were two problems. When slider went over a turnout it would sometimes hit something and short. Also, when it hit a high spike (3rd rail) the slider (curved part) would hit the axle. This occurred when I had another slider installed (so as to have two sliders pick up current - I have current conducting couplers). The dealer initially installed a symmetrical coupler (73405). However, the M installed coupler was 73406. Once this was changed, all problems gone. I assume the geometry of the symmetrical coupler is not appropriate for two axle passenger cars (but this it is too simplistic to say all - but it is something I am keeping in mind for when I buy lighting for passenger cars).

Harvey

Hi Reuben,

I ended up attaching a small piece of insulating tape, not to the pickup shoe, but to the axle itself. It seems to work ok. I suspect that over a period of time, the tape may come undone, but I can live with that until I come up with a better idea. Alan