Zylinderschraube- What does it do?

blushirt23 Jul 24, 2009

  1. blushirt23

    blushirt23 New Member

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    My new GG1's motor has intermittant operation. It seems that when I apply pressure to the Cylinder screw(thanks for the translation) it will run for a couple of laps then die. The schematic provided isn't the clearest guide. After removing the body, I found that the cylinder screw has a collar underneath it that when it moves it grounds itself against a flat metallic spot on the circuitboard causing the motor to cut out. I cannot figure out the proper way to secure this collar so the engine runs properly. If anyone has the same locomotive and could explain to me the proper position, it would be greatly appreciated.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 24, 2009
  2. chartsmalm

    chartsmalm Passed away May 1, 2011 In Memoriam

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    Not that it answers your question, but knowing the meaning might help you analyze your predicament. "Zylinderschraube" means "cylinder screw"
     
  3. sumgai

    sumgai TrainBoard Member

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  4. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I dunno either, but I have never read the instructions. I converted mine to DCC, and have only lubricated it once. I just apply lube at the logical points, motor shaft bearings and gears.

    I know there was a screw that selects either track power or catenary power. It is not a screw to unscrew, so if that's what was rotated, it might be broken.

    As a rule, you generally don't need to lubricate a new loco until it's been ran over 20 hours. You also have to excercise care with these small locos, as it's very easy to twist something off and ruin them.

    I burnt out the red headlights on one of my GG1 light boards trying to figure out how to wire them for DCC lighting, and discovered they are not sealed LED's but rather a thick film substrate with wire bonded from substrate to chip, and absolutely no encapsulation to protect the LED chips. Point being, as careful as I was, I messed up my loco.

    I consider myself competent at such tasks, yet my personal rule of thumb is, "if it works, don't fix it" because I have at least $3000 worth of broken Z Scale locomotives from my attempts to modify or dis-assemble them. Some locos out there have ceramic motor shafts, and just seperating the frame halves has led to the motor shafts breaking off.

    Try to set yourself a rule to limit your mistakes to one time only. (i know it is hard) If you take a loco apart to convert to DCC, and it breaks, all future DCC conversions should be handled by a shop that specializes in the task, or at least a friend or forum member volunteer who has done it. We have people on this forum who have limited funds for the hobby, who will not take a chance, so they send their locos to Glen and Sandy Stiska for oil and tuneups, just to be safe. Something to consider if you don't have deep pockets, or a high pain and suffering threshold like me. :D
     
  5. blushirt23

    blushirt23 New Member

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    Thanks to all for the replies, Ithink what pray59 said makes sense, that the screw position determines whether it gets the power from the track or from the catenary. I'll have to see what can be done to secure the screw in the proper position.
    Thanks again,
    Chris
     
  6. TechRepJapan

    TechRepJapan Permanently dispatched

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    Photo?

    Can you post a photo of the screw you are describing? If it is the screw that changes pick-up power from track to catenary... that screw should have a limited amount of turn... only enough to switch between the choices. It should turn only about 1/8 - 1/4 of a full turn. If it turns more than this, it might be your problem. This screw is part of the circuit board. If the screw is faulty, the entire circuit board needs to be replaced (as the Marklin diagram does not show this as a seperate part).

    Did you buy this loco new or used?
    If new... Will the seller accept a return for replacement?
    Before attempting to repair the problem, it would be better to get a replacement.

    I have repaired many of my Marklin locos... being lucky enough to only totally trash one or two over the years. Electrics and diesels are some what easy. The steamers are a whole different story.

    Again, you might attempt to get the seller to replace your loco. Sending it for Marklin factory repair... you might see it returned in a year or two. I know of two different folks that do Marklin repairs for a fee.
     
  7. Glenn Woodle

    Glenn Woodle TrainBoard Member

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    I take it the cylinder screw or the collar underneath causes some sort of short with the circuit board?

    Not sure if the power pickup comes from the +/- rail or the +/cat, (replacing +- one rail in a DC circuit?)

    Perhaps you can run the GG on track power without the shell to see if it runs better? then find a way to not use the screw?

    In the meantime, find some MTL GP power for your ailing GG. Should run fine on DC track power.
     
  8. blushirt23

    blushirt23 New Member

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    Gentlemen,
    Again, my thanks for all the help. I was pretty upset when I realized what I had done. The cylinder screw only turns maybe a 1/8 of a turn to switch between overhead power and track power. I had forced it loose thinking that the screw held the body to the chassis. After trying to navigate the Marklin parts page to possibly buy a replacement circuit board, I decided to cool off and try to come up with a solution. Is it just me but you cannot find USA when it asks you to pick your home country?
    The simple solution I came up with was a drop of solder holding the screw in the position to get the power from the track. I don't think I will be setting up the catenary system anytime soon so this will allow me to use the GG1 till I can get a replacement circuit board assembly complete with screw. My last question for now is there a Marklin factory parts distribution system in the U.S. or does everything have to come from Germany?
    Regards,
    Chris
     
  9. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Chris, its most likely its coming from Germany. I order a circuit board from Marklin USA, and it took more then six months to get it. They didnt have it. It had to come from Germany on a slow boat. :D
     

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