Hi,

I just came from the post office and unwrapped a Märklin BR 44 (37883).
It came from a collection and has no signs of use. I put a small drop of oil
to every axle and motor bearings and applied speed from analogue (white) transformer.
Only lights came on. I took a closer look. Everything moves freely.
More power and it begun to move but slowly. Max power and it makes about
1/5 of max speed what it should.

I tried to change brushes. Not better...

Is it possible that former owner has run it in digital mode and set the max speed
low and this setting stays on in analogue mode? I can't find any mechanical reason
for poor speed.

HELP!

-Åke-

Hi Åke

NEVER apply voltage to any motor while decoder is still connected. It will destroy it.
You are dealing with a "Spielewert" Loco. (37883). You need probably to replenish the levels (coal, sand and water). Then the loco will run its normal speed.
Cheers

Jean

Hi Lasse,

Unfortunately I don't have a CS.
I think that I must take a visit local Märklin dealer in Helsinki
and ask him to take a look at the settings.

Best regards
Åke

Hi Ake

I don't know which digital item you have but with a mobile station you may access /change the CVs
Here is a manual (sorry in German) that explains it. https://www.maerklin.de/fileadmi...4_Digital_MM_2014_03.pdf
Also with a CU 6021 you also have access to CVs (explained in your users manual or https://static.maerklin....33b6a2da8b1434542139.pdf

Apologies: your loco was made in 2008 / 2009 so it will not be "Spielewert". So either your motor needs cleaning (open carefully the brushholder and clean it and the rotor) or a CV was changed and a factory reset may help.
To do this you need to set CV 8=8
Cheers

Jean

Hi MrB32

I am not sure but probably not. Quite a number of Märklin users have had problems with the "Spielewelt" settings
Cheers
Jean

Hi Åke

Can't it be that your power system is not well connected or defective?
I understand you work in analogue mode. Do you have a Märklin transformer?
Otherwise yes the dealer may have missed the issue
Cheers

Jean

For mfx locos from Märklin with ESU decoders you can program the decoder to produce sound also in analogue mode. With mfx decoders of Märklin's "home brew" I had no success with sounds in analogue mode.

mfx decoders can be programmed to activate any function in analogue mode.
So you can get more than the manual promises, provided someone programs the decoder.

Some Märklin locos from the days when decoders still had DIP switched have sound in analogue mode, too.

Hi,

I have also a V200 loco 37803 which makes sound in analogue mode.
Straight out of box without any programming.

I must take it back and demonstrate the problem live.

Cheers

Åke

Please let us know which transformer you are using:
Please let us know what other devices/locomotives/accessories/lighting is in use at the same time?
It is possible that your transformer is exceeding it's output wattage and is not providing enough power to move the locomotive.

Test the locomotive with no other train on the tracks and remove other accessories' connections to the transformer (yellow plug)

Take the feeder track and three or four track sections and test the locomotive there.

If the problem continues, take a video of the issue and send it, along with a short report to service(at)maerklin.de and ask for assistance.
Then take what action they recommend to the dealer.

and no matter what, if you go back to the dealer, bring your transformer with you. If it works fine with his transformer, but your's is slow, then the problem is likely with your transformer.

Regards

Mike C

Sounds like it is not a transformer issue, unless the lok is consuming too much power on it's own.
Does the dealer have a test track at the shop? If yes, can you observe the function in person?

It may help to bring the lok and another (for comparison) as well as a transformer and a few track sections if you want the dealer to see the issue as you experience it.

From what I see, the model is equipped with a MFX decoder. I don't know if this was a OEM ESU or Maerklin (Inhouse) decoder.
If it has an ESU decoder, you can adjust settings using an ESU Lokprogrammer and use the Test Track feature to experience all of the functions.
You can use the Lokprogrammer to test most other brand decoders, but not to change parameters.

You may also consider picking up a MS2 or 3 from a broken up Start set, just to be able to test models in digital on your test bench.

Regards

Mike C

It can change some decoders, but not all.
I think it cannot even change the ESU decoders that Märklin used in 2004.

The loco discussed here probably has a Märklin decoder without DCC support and in that case the ESU Lokprogrammer will not be able to change anything.