 Joined: 06/08/2017(UTC) Posts: 37 Location: Virginia, Arlington
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I have finally been able to clean up and put my DL 800 on the track (it is the first time I have run it and it is on M track) and while it runs great where the wheels contact the rails it is sometimes giving off little sparks. Is this due to the m track I am running it on or does the the loco need a little more attention somewhere? Plus, I have never opened one of these up and was wondering what the correct procedure would be for oiling the motor/gears?
JD
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Joined: 06/01/2010(UTC)
Posts: 263
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If you have simple set-up (1 transformer, small layout) then I would first check the track is aligned and properly put together, then give everything a clean. Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud should work fine on the wheels, a gentle rub with a track rubber will take care of the tracks, you can use IPA on those as well. You'll still get sparks here and there after that, especially on points or in places where you have sudden changes in direction. Your coaches and wagons might need the alcohol treatment as well.
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 Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,875 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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also look at the wheels whether they are clean, pictures always tell you the real story, at least the loco still got some spark in it (lol)
John |
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 Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,470 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: MrB32  If you have simple set-up (1 transformer, small layout) then I would first check the track is aligned and properly put together, then give everything a clean. A common problem is the centre rail contact piece between tracks gets bent and doesn't properly contact the adjacent track. Some gentle adjustment with pliers will be enough to sort this problem out. Another common problem is the fish plates on the ends of the rails get very bent out of shape with continual setting up and dismantling of the track. The rails rely on these to make proper electrical contact with the adjacent track pieces. Gentle adjustment of these with fine pliers will also pay dividends.
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 1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
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 Joined: 03/10/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,293 Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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Hi Jeff, The little sparks off the wheels is good news.  It means that the electrical current is sparking off little pieces of dirt off the tracks. You will notice how the sparking will diminish and reduce after the loco has run around the track several times. After a while, the loco will run without the sparks, and then you will know that your tracks are clean with good electrical connections. Regards John
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3 users liked this useful post by Johnvr
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 Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC) Posts: 2,883 Location: South Western France
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Originally Posted by: Johnvr Hi Jeff, The little sparks off the wheels is good news. It means that the electrical current is sparking off little pieces of dirt off the tracks. You will notice how the sparking will diminish and reduce after the loco has run around the track several times. After a while, the loco will run without the sparks, and then you will know that your tracks are clean with good electrical connections. Regards John Yes! That's how it's supposed to work. I love the smell of ozone [on my Märklin layout] in the morning!   |
Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success! |
3 users liked this useful post by jvuye
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