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Using Snail Controller with Miniclub Marklin z scale engines
 Joined: 24/07/2024(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Michigan
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Just received from Ztrack a Blueline Snail controller for z scale. For about a week it worked perfectly with my older Marklin engines especially at start up and slow speed control. But now it does not seem to be working at all with engines maybe moving a few inches upon start up if that. Seem to be getting an error code--blue led blinks twice at intervals but without a manual have no idea what that means or how to adjust. Ztrack is moving headquarters so not much help there. Have changed battery. Any one have experience with this controller and Marklin engines? Suggestions? I like the controller and would like to get it working again. Thank you.
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 Joined: 15/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 3,589 Location: Spain
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I dont know what you mean with "older locos", and I also dont know if this controller works with PWM, but I seem to remember that glockenanker/coreless motors does not like that kind of electrical control in the long run...
Does your locos have coreleess motors?
At what frequency does the controller work? (if it is indeed PWM) |
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 Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 682 Location: London
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By older Märklin engines, I assume you mean those with a 3-pole or 5-pole motor. Current spikes from these can trip the short circuit protection on modern controllers. I certainly know that they do it with the Rokuhan controllers and I suspect that this is what is going on here. I believe that the BlueLine Snail Speed controller is a PWM controller but I have no practical experience of using it; perhaps you can ask on the Z gauge forum at trainboard.com if nobody on this site can help.
Carim
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Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC) Posts: 581 Location: England, Cambridge
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Originally Posted by: Carim  By older Märklin engines, I assume you mean those with a 3-pole or 5-pole motor. Current spikes from these can trip the short circuit protection on modern controllers. I certainly know that they do it with the Rokuhan controllers and I suspect that this is what is going on here. I believe that the BlueLine Snail Speed controller is a PWM controller but I have no practical experience of using it; perhaps you can ask on the Z gauge forum at trainboard.com if nobody on this site can help.
Carim Yes, I can confirm the Snail Controller is a PWM design. According to the instructions, the LED being on constantly indicates an overload. This could be a short circuit, but could also be due to excessive current draw. 5 pole motors draw considerably more current than the modern coreless ones and 3 pole motors more still, so it's conceivable that the load is so heavy that it triggers the overload protection. A loco that's mechanism isn't running freely (for example due to lack of lubrication) will cause the current draw to be higher again. Are you using the controller battery powered or from a power supply? It's possible that the overload protection becomes more sensitive as the battery voltage drops, whilst a power supply that's providing more voltage than is required could also do the same. Beware unregulated power supplies which usually give out much more than their nominal voltage when loaded lightly - as it would be in this case. I believe these controllers are widely used with AZL locomotives, which all have coreless motors so I guess there isn't much risk in that regard. I just checked mine and it's operating at 75Hz which is a good deal lower than I would have expected, though. Hope this is helpful Chris
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 Joined: 26/07/2021(UTC) Posts: 635 Location: Sydney
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Someone decades ago designed a PWM controller for my Z gauge. As far as controlling loco speed down to the mm it was brilliant. Couldn't ask for a better controller.
But all the locos motors simply sounded horrible, a sort of a grating noise, so I stopped using it. Was worried I was doing damage.
All my locos are 3 pole.
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Joined: 09/04/2019(UTC) Posts: 565 Location: California, Bay Area
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I have used the Snail Controller a lot with Marklin locos, all types of motors, my biggest gripe with that controller is low power output due to it using one 9v battery, and the older 3 and 5 pole motors would stop often and require the hand of god pushing to get them going again. I do not know why that is. But my advice would be to clean the track and maybe the locos.
I also had issues with reliability with Rohuhan controllers and 3/5 pole Marklin motors, wether battery or wall wart powered, when they would stop due to their overcurrent protection feature.
Ultimately I found the older hard wired Marklin controllers to be by far the most reliable with all types of Marklin locos. I have three of them. I do not know about the newer Marklin controllers on sale now. The drawback with these controllers is the rather coarse speed steps, sigh, maybe with Z scale controllers you cannot have it all...
I did buy a modified MRC controller from Z Scale Monster. It appears to work very well but I only use it with my little test loop.
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 Joined: 19/09/2022(UTC) Posts: 459 Location: Kaarina
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Hi,
A bit off topic, but the coarse speed change steps with PWM do not really happen with coreless motors that have flywheels (AZL). Hopefully Märklin will move off from the 5-pole grinders in the future.
Please check that the locos work by applying power from 9V battery straight to the track (controllers detached) or to the loco wheels.
-Eino
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Using Snail Controller with Miniclub Marklin z scale engines
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