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Offline Victor Almeida  
#1 Posted : 01 November 2019 00:51:49(UTC)
Victor Almeida


Joined: 26/09/2019(UTC)
Posts: 2
I am using a small blue transformer to only power lighting and switches.
Power goes on and off.
If I use a different transformer to supply current to the same lighting and switches this does not happen.
It looks like there is a circuit breaker that cuts of power and resets itself.
Is this something that can be repaired?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Offline mike c  
#2 Posted : 01 November 2019 02:10:30(UTC)
mike c

Canada   
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC)
Posts: 7,880
Location: Montreal, QC
Originally Posted by: Victor Almeida Go to Quoted Post
I am using a small blue transformer to only power lighting and switches.
Power goes on and off.
If I use a different transformer to supply current to the same lighting and switches this does not happen.
It looks like there is a circuit breaker that cuts of power and resets itself.
Is this something that can be repaired?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Is it a classic one with metal frame or is it one of the post 1970s one with plastic housing?

My worst fear would be that the main cable has frayed and is not making contact at all times. With the metal transformers, this could lead to the mains coming into contact with the housing.

Do you have a model number on your transformer (or a photo)?

Regards

Mike C
Offline JohnjeanB  
#3 Posted : 01 November 2019 13:55:25(UTC)
JohnjeanB

France   
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC)
Posts: 3,083
Location: Paris, France
Hi

Blue Märklin transformers can be 16 W or 30 W. The 30 Watt ones have an indicator lamp that turns off when overloaded. The device is pretty reliable.

Two things that are problematic:
- very old transformers (1950-1955) have a rubber-like coating on the power cord which disintegrates and become dangerous
- the old voltage was 220 V and now the mains are closer to 240V so resulting reduced voltages are higher (especially the inversion voltage which can destroy some decoders).

Unless you are a trained electrician I would strongly recommend not to repair those transformers (years after your repair they may end-up in the hands of a child and harm him/her).
Notes: I opened and repaired a 30 W 280A transformer from 1951. My excuse is I am an engineer in electro-magnetic and electronic.
If, on your transformer the over-load device is failing (a bimetal contact mounted is a ceramic casing), I am sure you cannot find spares and to bypass the protection is not advisable
Cheers
Jean
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Online Purellum  
#4 Posted : 01 November 2019 15:02:35(UTC)
Purellum

Denmark   
Joined: 08/11/2005(UTC)
Posts: 3,498
Location: Mullerup, 4200 Slagelse
Cool

While I absolutely agree with the previous answers regarding the warnings etc., it could also just be overload.

If the "switching transformer" is smaller than the "not switching transformer", and your lights are old-fashioned bulbs,
try to reduce the power-load a little, by removing some of the bulbs Cool

Per.

Cool
If you can dream it, you can do it!

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In case this is not legally possible:
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Offline David Dewar  
#5 Posted : 01 November 2019 15:27:13(UTC)
David Dewar

Scotland   
Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 7,332
Location: Scotland
My advice would be to buy a new and reliable and safe transformer which will last you for many years.
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by David Dewar
Offline kiwiAlan  
#6 Posted : 01 November 2019 18:17:18(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Go to Quoted Post
Hi

Blue Märklin transformers can be 16 W or 30 W.
Jean


They can also be 10VA, as supplied in starter sets.

See this post for a couple of examples.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by kiwiAlan
Offline 1borna  
#7 Posted : 01 November 2019 19:58:32(UTC)
1borna

Croatia   
Joined: 21/12/2012(UTC)
Posts: 1,340
Location: Hrvatska
I have recently been opening and repairing old transformers, the first time I changed the 230V connection
UserPostedImage
The second was probably a defective bimetal, so a short circuit caused the wire going to the slider to overheat. I changed the wire and did a short test where did the shutdown bimetal work correctly?
UserPostedImage
Offline river6109  
#8 Posted : 02 November 2019 09:43:35(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,636
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
I'm surprised they still around (the old 280 model), I thought by now unless you're a qualified electrician these transformers have been all discarded.

https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
Offline Bigdaddynz  
#9 Posted : 02 November 2019 10:18:33(UTC)
Bigdaddynz

New Zealand   
Joined: 17/09/2006(UTC)
Posts: 18,661
Location: New Zealand
I don't believe that's a 280A John! There are still plenty of them about.
Offline kiwiAlan  
#10 Posted : 02 November 2019 14:22:55(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: river6109 Go to Quoted Post
I'm surprised they still around (the old 280 model), I thought by now unless you're a qualified electrician these transformers have been all discarded.



First one is a metal case (see the tabs on the top cover) but the second one is a plastic case (again see how the top cover is molded).

Offline river6109  
#11 Posted : 02 November 2019 14:34:36(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,636
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
Originally Posted by: Bigdaddynz Go to Quoted Post
I don't believe that's a 280A John! There are still plenty of them about.


the top one is, isn't it ?


https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
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