Welcome to the forum   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Share
Options
View
Go to last post in this topic Go to first unread post in this topic
Offline Ray Di Ciacca  
#1 Posted : 20 February 2024 03:19:37(UTC)
Ray Di Ciacca

Canada   
Joined: 19/02/2024(UTC)
Posts: 2
Location: Ontario, Waterdown
I am new to marlin trains and I would like to know how the electrical pick up works
Offline mike c  
#2 Posted : 20 February 2024 06:28:51(UTC)
mike c

Canada   
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC)
Posts: 7,899
Location: Montreal, QC
I presume you mean Marklin or Maerklin and not marlin.

As far as electrical pickup, are you asking about the power system or how the models pick up the power from the tracks?

Maerklin traditionally works on 3 rail AC. The live is delivered via the centre (3rd rail) and the two rails serve as return (ground). The transformer delivers a max voltage of 16VAC. A momentary surge of 22-23VAC activates the direction change mechanism in the locomotive.

Today's digital Maerklin now uses DC power instead of the original AC. This enables the operation using the original Motorola MM (Maerklin-Motorola) digital system or the more common DCC and Maerklin's recent Mfx which allows for greater functions than the original MM. The power is still delivered via the 3 rails. Most older digital locomotives with a Motorola decoder will work with the DC power of the Mobile or Central Station.

Analog locomotives still require the classic 16VAC transformer

The locomotive is equipped with a slider which collects the live from the centre rail. The locomotive ground (return) is via the chassis and the wheels and axles to both rails. Coaches equipped with lighting have a slider mounted to collect the live and work on the same principle.

Regards

Mike C
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by mike c
Offline marklinist5999  
#3 Posted : 20 February 2024 13:17:03(UTC)
marklinist5999

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC)
Posts: 3,142
Location: Michigan, Troy
Also, the outer rails are both ground conductors to the axles of trains. The wheel sets are not insulated from the left side and right as with a 2 rail system like Trix, and Roco. Roco also makes many models for 3 rail. A three rail system also eliminates the reverse loop mini short which can sometimes cause a pause in a trains motion as it passes over it. The power current polarity is sort of interrupted at the opposite side of where the transformer or power supply is connected to the track.
Offline TrainIride  
#4 Posted : 21 February 2024 10:12:30(UTC)
TrainIride

France   
Joined: 23/10/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,917
Location: FRANCE
hello,

just to illustrate what was said...

Marklin_system.jpeg

Marklin_system_.jpg

Best Regards
Joël
thanks 2 users liked this useful post by TrainIride
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

| Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.395 seconds.