MÄRKLIN H0 conventional driving and electromechanical automatisation
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock
Märklin-H0-Knowledge A: The very first basic knowlege about conventionally controlled Märklin H0 model railways A2: How does electricity get into the Märklin H0 tracks?
To be able to put a model railway into operation, you need at least one transformer and at least one feeder track.
The feeder track of the M-track system has permanently attached 1. a red line, which is connected to the centre conductor, and 2. a brown wire that is connected to the sheet metal track bed and thus to the rails.
The M-track feeder track was available in two versions: no. 5131 with capacitor for radio interference suppression (in times of digital radio technology the capacitor is usually dispensable). no. 5111 without capacitor.
With the feeder track of the K-track system, the cables are not permanently attached, you have to clamp them on yourself. no. 2292 with capacitor for radio interference suppression (in times of digital radio technology the capacitor is usually dispensable). no. 2290 without capacitor.
With C-track, each track section is prepared for termination. Different connection cable sets were offered: no. 74040, only cable with cable lugs for connection to the track. No longer in the product range: no. 74050, for retrofitting the interference suppression capacitor, no. 74045, connection cables with interference suppression electronics
The most modern conventional transformer no. 6647 or 66470 or 66471 has 4 safety line terminals on the back: 1x red, 2x brown, 1x yellow.
The red line belongs to the red terminal on the transformer, the brown line to the brown terminal. The red line leads to the centre conductor, the brown line to the rails.
For connection to the transformer, the cable ends must be stripped of a few mm of insulation, i.e. the plastic sheathing around the copper core of the cable must be removed so that contact can be made with the transformer.
Operation of the safety line terminals: 1. Press the coloured plastic part to the housing, 2. hold down and insert the bare end of the cable into the now free opening, 3. release the plastic part.
Older transformers have simple sockets instead of safety terminals,
into which plugs fit as shown in the picture beside.
The newer safety plugs like the one in the adjacent picture do not fit.
For the operation of older transformers, the page "White - blue - orange - transformers between good and evil" is highly recommended!
With M-track, feeder tracks were also supplied with pressed-on sheet metal plugs, which have to be cut off for connection to the modern transformer.
A mix-up of the connection lines would not matter with a simple track oval, because the alternating voltage changes direction 50 times a second, which does not matter to the motor. But there would be problems at the latest when installing the first turnout. Therefore, pay attention to the correct connection right from the start! Some care is needed when putting the tracks together, especially with older ones.
With M- and K-tracks, make sure that the rail straps are not bent (C-track has none).
With M-track, you can improve the quality of the current transfer at the centre conductor. The centre conductor lugs must be bright and rust-free.
First of all, the centre lugs are "equal", they are approximately at the same height.
If you bend one flap down a little and the other up a little before putting it together,
then there is increased contact pressure between the lugs when they are plugged together and thus a more reliable current flow.
With C-track, make sure that the contact tongues are not widened and are symmetrical. I think the C-track is well constructed. And now: mains plug into the socket, ready to drive...
The home position of the red control on the transformer is at the 0 mark.
The more you turn the knob to the right, the faster the model will go.
To change the direction of travel, turn the controller to the left beyond 0 against a slight, springy resistance.
Depending on the design of the reverse unit in the model, you will hear a switching noise on older models, sometimes combined with a twitching of the model, and you will see a bright flashing of the lights. Modern models do not show any reaction during the switching process. When starting up, you can see that the switch has been made. The larger the layout, the more likely it is that a locomotive will slow down the further away it is from the siding. Switching can also become problematic at greater distance from the feeder track. The reason for this is that a small amount of voltage is lost at the connections between two pieces of track. With many pieces of track, this adds up noticeably. Therefore, it is best to install another piece of siding every 2 m and connect it in the same way as the first. The plastic plugs have a cross hole into which you can insert another plug. However, the above-mentioned feeder tracks of the M-track system with metal plugs cannot be connected in this way. For this you need two Märklin distribution plates no. 72090 or similar and one red and one brown extension cable each. Before connecting a second transformer to the same track layout, be sure to read the page "Driving with several transformers - Danger from incorrect connection" BEFOREhand!!!!
The Prototype Märklin-H0-Knowledge Layout-Building Modelstock
state: 25.11.2023 10:28
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