Hi. Hope all is well

Here is a link to the ultrasonic cleaners discussions from our forum.

https://www.marklin-users.net/forum/search#0%7C5

You might have different electrical requirements so it is difficult to recommend a certain one. Definitely, a professional, expensive one is not required. They are listed everywhere from Amazon to eBay and in many big box retailers websites. They are seemingly made by everyone, unfortunately, there is not one maker which stands out enough to get my recommendation. You can search ultrasonic cleaner reviews and get some recommendations. I’m sure without investing much, you will find one that works at the price you are willing to pay.

I have been doing okay with mine, it is small and stills does the job. I have had it for several years (but I don’t use it every day) and it keeps working. I think I got it from eBay and it was not one recommended by a website.

The results will surprise you, but you run the risk of a lost part and problems during reassembly. Others might recommend other solutions. I added a glass jar to the cleaning basin so I don’t lose something. The parts are small. I use distilled water with a light cleaning liquid.

Best wishes with your search, take good care.

Zme

Hello.

I am not aware of one of these dedicated specifically to Z Scale. If there is one, perhaps another member is aware and can chime in with this information.

I have noticed mine runs in 6 minute intervals. With the parts in the cleaner, I can check progress and determine if more time is needed. I will usually add a variety of parts and some of these clean very quickly, others take longer.

I never add the motor to the cleaning process, but do put things like the brushes in. I have had some say it is not the exposure to the liquid that harms the motor, but what is done after. Motors must be dried quickly and with the various canned air products, it would be easier. Even considering this, I never clean a motor in the ultrasonic. I clean the motor by hand. As mentioned, I do put the brushes in the cleaner and these are usually removed looking almost new. I completely dry these before use. I do not suggest putting the frame into the cleaner either as the cleaning action might fade some of the dark color. These are hand clean items also. Just because they are small, don’t put your coupler springs in the cleaner. Guarantee you will lose them.

I believe the ultrasonic cleanser are used for rings and jewels etc. since the z scale parts are small, they could fall below the basin grid at the bottom. Even with a basin about 4” x 6” there is a lot of area to try locating a small part. Rather than search for a part in the entire basin, I prefer to have them somewhat contained in a glass jar. I fill the basin to the near full level with distilled water. Then I add the glass jar and put in the distilled water and cleaning agent and finally the parts. The glass displaces the liquid and the basin shows it full. Turn it on and check progress at each timed interval.

When I am happy with the cleanliness of the parts I remove each one and do a basic dry with paper towel (the low lint ones) and then dip them into 99% isopropyl alcohol and finally dry this. I use compressed air at this point. Sometimes I use small dental brushes (grocery store item) to clean some areas like the gears. For the most part, anything in the cleaner will be finished perfectly.

I believe these are good steps to take with an ultrasonic cleaner. This will allow you to use many cleaners for sale on the market for our z scale parts. I did not invest much money on mine with the thought that I would try it , see how it works and replace it with a better one later if I was disappointed. It did not work that way so far.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Zme

I used an ultrasonic cleaner years ago but found it removed the chemical blackening from the zinc frames. Since then I take a far more conservative approach to maintenance.