Joined: 30/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 725
Location: Stamford, CT USA
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Greetings, I am looking though my old Marklin collection, thinking about selling most of it. Question: Are these old transformers still safe to plug in? Are they worth anything? Some of them are very heavy. Last time they were plugged in was the 1980's, but they have been stored in a very dry, clean and temperature stable room (Under a bed)    
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
 1 user liked this useful post by H0
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 Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC) Posts: 18,771 Location: New Zealand
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I would get them all checked by an electrician, but a quick way to tell if the 280A transformer wiring has deteriorated is to take the mains plug off the cord. Check the rubber insulation on each of the wires. If it is cracked or dissolves to pieces when you touch it, it is a fair bet it's the same inside the transformer and therefore an electrocution risk.
But do get them checked by a qualified person.
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 Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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I would normally advocate keeping old things going but in this case I don't think they are worth the bother. I would put them to one side and find either blue plastic ones or white plastic ones which are all much newer and available second hand.
As to value, it is very little and postage costs are high.
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: Michael4  As to value, it is very little and postage costs are high. Cut the cables off and you have stylish paperweights or doorstoppers. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS |
4 users liked this useful post by H0
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Joined: 30/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 725
Location: Stamford, CT USA
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The one on the far left is from the 1980's. The other two are kind of sketchy! I think the door stop idea is probably wise. (Then I am gonna open them up and see what makes them tick...or take them to the recycling center in the city where I live)
Are the switch boxes ok, provided they are not damaged internally?
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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Switch boxes will be fine though the blue plastic can warp with age making them stick a bit
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,472 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: GG1 Fan The one on the far left is from the 1980's.
Yes, it appears to have a plastic case if I am not mistaken. Originally Posted by: GG1 Fan
The other two are kind of sketchy! I think the door stop idea is probably wise. (Then I am gonna open them up and see what makes them tick...or take them to the recycling center in the city where I live)
With the six sockets on the back they are really old, going back to the mid-1950s at the latest. You would probably find a scrap metal dealer would give some money for them, otherwise your local recycling center if you don't have a use for a couple of hefty door stops.
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Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 301
Location: Sheffield,
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I sold two, slightly older than the one on the far left but not as old as the others, on eBay. Worth a try. |
Must build something |
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Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,165
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The one on the left is an early 60's transformer, I got one at Christmas '63 with my first M train. It was driven to the local recycling station about 5 years ago since the rubber cord was hard, cracked and disintegrating... I had repainted it green in my youth and it looked like sh-t anyway...  At the same trip to the recycling station I also got rid of a 280A and a later 60's 30 VA transformer with the same shape as the left one but it had a "sharper" dial and more modern black print on the metal sheet. |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
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Joined: 16/06/2022(UTC)
Posts: 2
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Hi. I’d be interested in buying these transformers if still available please ?
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