 Joined: 16/01/2025(UTC) Posts: 2 Location: England, Watford
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My z gauge layout isn't working, and I'm stumped. Transformer is plugged in, I've put fresh wires from transformer to track. I can hear the transformer humming. I can run an engine on the track using 9v battery. Can't power the track and run trains.
Advice gratefully received please.
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 Joined: 28/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aachen
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Neither forward nor reverse?
Do you have a multimeter to measure transformer output voltage? Or a light bulb to the same purpose? |
Regards,
Rüdiger (Rudi)
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Joined: 16/01/2025(UTC) Posts: 2 Location: England, Watford
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Hi thanks for the response.
Using the controller nothing at all. I actually have two controllers, and there's no movement from either.
I don't have a multimeter or a light bulb.
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Joined: 25/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 250 Location: South East
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Hi MarklinWatford.
How are you running the train with the battery? I assume you are touching the terminals of the battery directly onto the rails?
You could try just touching the wires from the controller onto the rails in the same way.
I'm thinking that it could be your power connecting rail that has a fault in it somewhere.
Oh, and try to get yourself a cheap multimeter. They can be got for a tenner or less since you only need a basic one.
1,001 uses on a railway. Try one of those market stalls that sell cheap tools, plugs etc. They normally have them.
Good luck with it,
Paul |
Marklin HO using M track. Now reverted to analogue as I find it has more character and is more fun...... and I understand it! |
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 Joined: 19/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,049
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if you just brush the ends of the two track wires together quickly you should get a spark. Best to do this in low light. If you get a spark then try detaching each wire one at a time from the track and touch the opposite rail. if no spark then the connected rail terminal is bad. It won't hurt any thing if you do it quickly. Then go buy a multimeter for future testing.
Roger |
Modeling Immensee, mile/km 0 on the Gottard. SBB Era V.
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Joined: 19/05/2022(UTC) Posts: 23 Location: England, Greatworth
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Makes no sense really to me,,,, the feeder track (unless really early version) doesn’t have any loose wires,,, never heard a controller hum to suggest power is being delivered?,,,, please show pics of this setup,,,,
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Joined: 25/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 250 Location: South East
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The transformers humming just means that they are connected to the mains and the primary winding is ok. It doesn't mean that the rest of the controller is ok.
It seems unlikely that two controllers would go bad at the same time.
The train and track seem to be ok since they work with the battery.
That only leaves the wires and the power connecting piece of track. |
Marklin HO using M track. Now reverted to analogue as I find it has more character and is more fun...... and I understand it! |
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 Joined: 12/05/2021(UTC) Posts: 152 Location: Jakarta Raya, Jakarta
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I have 3 with me, 37670, 6701, and 67013 and they're all still working properly to this day. The thing that I find it odd from your post is that your transformer humming, now my three transformers (I call them controllers) never hum when they are on. Maybe try to plug your transformer somewhere else to see if it's humming or not? From my experience, the transformer should not hum when it's on. I read that you have 2 transformers with you and if both hums when plugged in, it's not a good sign. Again, try my suggestion, share some pictures with us, and get a multimeter for an easier way to test. Originally Posted by: MarklinWatford  My z gauge layout isn't working, and I'm stumped. Transformer is plugged in, I've put fresh wires from transformer to track. I can hear the transformer humming. I can run an engine on the track using 9v battery. Can't power the track and run trains.
Advice gratefully received please. |
Oka aka W. Kapriandi
Märklin Z scale (mini-club) purist but not a modeler!
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Joined: 28/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aachen
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Transformer's hum is not that unusual, coming even with brand new ones. It is a sign that the iron sheets, or the coil(s), or both are not as tightly packed and secured (by e.g. a resin immersion) as could be. I'm having both types. Slightly irritating but no reason for worry.
Do your transformers get hot after some time? |
Regards,
Rüdiger (Rudi)
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Joined: 25/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 250 Location: South East
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All transformers will hum. They may be quiet but if you place an ear on the casing you will hear a 50 or 60 hz hum depending on where in the world you are.
I have eight Marklin transformers and they all hum quietly - except one that is louder. I think that one is possibly mounted a bit loose or has slightly loose laminations. It works fine though and doesn't get warm.
I have many of other makes as well (Gaugemaster, ECM, H&M etc...) and they all hum as well. It's normal. Stand close to the fence of a National Grid electrical sub station and you can hear it.
Paul |
Marklin HO using M track. Now reverted to analogue as I find it has more character and is more fun...... and I understand it! |
 1 user liked this useful post by Paul59
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Joined: 08/01/2023(UTC) Posts: 24 Location: England, Pevensey
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Have you pushed the wire in to the control box terminals too far so it's the outer casing being held and not the wire in the centre?
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Joined: 19/05/2022(UTC) Posts: 23 Location: England, Greatworth
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Originally Posted by: RudiC Transformer's hum is not that unusual, coming even with brand new ones. It is a sign that the iron sheets, or the coil(s), or both are not as tightly packed and secured (by e.g. a resin immersion) as could be. I'm having both types. Slightly irritating but no reason for worry.
Do your transformers get hot after some time? I guess the question then is this a digital hum or analogue hum to help narrow this down??! and how close is this being observed and on what surface best amplifies it,,,, sort of thing,,, 
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