Hi Jim,

Before dismantling the turntable you should check the power-supply: Is there electric current arriving at the bridge? Find the tree contacts at the center of the bridge. When starting you should measure ~16V at the contact in the middle and ~16V at one of the other contacts (depending on the direction). Without pressing the start - knob, you should measure at the left or at the right contact ~16V (direction).

Regards

Markus

Sorry markus I was wrong about the reading. Looks like somewhere between 1.4 to 1.6 on the three individually

Hello Jim,
Better give the meter a rest.
First, are you sure you have the control box wired correctly?



You describe that the bridge only runs when you push the button.
Normally when you push the button and the bridge is between stall tracks you should be energizing the indexing pin solenoid not the motor.
It sounds like you may have some wires crossed.

Mikey

Well then,
Let's go into that box and watch what the contacts are doing the exact moment when you begin to let go of the button.
Look carefully, It may be a very small movement.

Hi Jim,

Remove the house. The screws are clearly visible. Try to ride and observe what's happening: The mechanism moves a contact-plate (red ) to a contact (blue) while starting. The contact should keep closed while riding and should be released at the next stop. This contact must be cleaned. That's it in +90% of all cases. Don't try to bend the contact. If the contact is very worn the contact can be adjusted carefully. "Carefully" means that the screw (blue) only should be turned in steps of quarter or half turns.



Regards

Markus

Hi Jim,

That contact is the mechanism which should keep the motor running. It should stay closed, even if you release the starter knob. What happens with the contact if you release the knob between two rails?

Regards

Markus

I tried holgghtlyding the contact a little tighter with just my fingernail when I let off on the button and the motor kept running. I'm going to slightly adjust it a little tighter as you suggested yesterday.

Thanks Markus

If that doesn't help I would suggest looking at the wipers under the turntable to see if they have enough spring in them to keep contact all the way around. It wouldn't take much for them to lose contact and have the turntable stop.

Okay Jim,
For the next cartoon I'll try to find some more "Mature" Faulines.

Mikey

Dear All,
I have a Marklin HO 7186, Turn Table which is not functioning as it should.
It does move from one track to the next some times to the correct position but at other times stops in between tracks. This is I think the top plastic plate does not make contact with the bottom plate because it is slightly warped. If I press at a point at the center of the bridge but stops if I let go.
Is there any way to straighten out the warped plate which is I think made of plastic or to increase the pressure on the top plate so that it makes uniform contact with the bottom concentric copper rings. I tried applying conducting grease on the bottom plate but that does not work.
I purchased this on e bay, but it came to India only after it was carried by a friend after four months.
Please suggest a solution.

Markus Schild has sent me several service leaflets for MArkin HO Locomotives, and had requested me to forward them to another member.
I have saved them on the computer but do not know how to attach them , some one please help.
Thanks.
Kumar Vartak,
India

Hello Markus.
Thanks firstly for the very prompt reply.
Do you mean put the lead balls weight at the tip of the circle I mean where it meets the rails. Actually when you press at a point on the center of the bridge the turntable resumes its movement, or if a very heavy locomotive is placed on the turntable it moves much better. It is not possible to put weights near the center of the bridge as the locomotive occupies that space.
Please confirm at what place the weights are to be placed on the turntable.
A friend who is acquainted with Marklin and is technically experienced feels that as the turntable is not making contact with the concentric copper rings at the base as the upper plate is warped or bent. It is I think made of plastic.
I will try to put the weights at the inside edge along the circumference of the turntable once I hear from you.
Thanks and regards,
Kumar Vartak India