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Old Marklin Transformers - Are they even safe?
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Offline GG1 Fan  
#1 Posted : 24 March 2021 05:54:57(UTC)
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GG1 Fan


Joined: 30/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 725
Location: Stamford, CT USA
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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Offline H0  
#2 Posted : 24 March 2021 09:44:13(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,265
Location: DE-NW
Are there some 280 A transformers on the picture?

Be very careful when you plug them in.
See here:
https://www.marklin-users.net/forum/posts/t32687-
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
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Offline Bigdaddynz  
#3 Posted : 24 March 2021 10:31:44(UTC)
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Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,663
Location: New Zealand
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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Offline Michael4  
#4 Posted : 24 March 2021 12:13:58(UTC)
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Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 642
Location: England, South Coast
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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Offline H0  
#5 Posted : 24 March 2021 12:27:29(UTC)
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H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,265
Location: DE-NW
Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post
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
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Offline GG1 Fan  
#6 Posted : 24 March 2021 13:58:47(UTC)
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GG1 Fan


Joined: 30/11/2010(UTC)
Posts: 725
Location: Stamford, CT USA
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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Offline Michael4  
#7 Posted : 24 March 2021 17:51:35(UTC)
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Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 642
Location: England, South Coast
Switch boxes will be fine though the blue plastic can warp with age making them stick a bit
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#8 Posted : 24 March 2021 18:47:40(UTC)
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kiwiAlan

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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,103
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: GG1 Fan Go to Quoted Post
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 Go to Quoted Post

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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Offline scraigen  
#9 Posted : 24 March 2021 18:57:20(UTC)
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scraigen


Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 299
Location: Sheffield,
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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Offline Webmaster  
#10 Posted : 24 March 2021 19:29:49(UTC)
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Webmaster


Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,161
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... BigGrin

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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Offline PhilipC  
#11 Posted : 24 July 2022 14:45:42(UTC)
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PhilipC


Joined: 16/06/2022(UTC)
Posts: 2
Hi. I’d be interested in buying these transformers if still available please ?
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