Old Märklin Form Signals switch intermittently

[Hwnel]

Hello All,

I have set up some Märklin 7040 Signals(old Form Signals HP0/HP2) on my layout.  They are connected to a K83(ESU Switchpilot) with separate power.  In a route the signals do switch in WDP and on the CS2, but the actual signals only switch intermittently.

I have tried increasing the switching duration in the MA window, but this only increases the time the signal requires to switch.  I have noticed that if I hold the icon for the signal for a longer period of time on the CS2 the signal will eventually switch.  Is there a way to increase the impulse time from WDP to the CS2 for a MA?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Elliott

[dieterlaengericht]

Dear Elliot,
this sound like a wellknown problem of these signals. Open the drive and check the mechanical link if there is some dirt. Sometimes the force of the contacts to the inner piston is to much or there is as well some dirt. Clean this up and lubricate it. If you dont use these contacts to interrupt the power adjust them away from the inner piston. This makes the movement of the piston much easier. Also a lubrication of the piston helps. I always use for the lubrication WD 40.
regards
Dieter

[Hwnel]

Hello Dieter,

Thanks for your response.  It didn't seem like the pistions were having a hard time to move, but I will check it when I get home.  And your tip to remove the contacts ( I don't use these to control trains) is also a possibility.  I'll report back my findings. 

mfG

Elliott

[Hwnel]

Hello Dieter,

The pistons are not the problem as these are in good working order, but thanks for the effort.  I have tried increasing the switching time and this has seemed to help somewhat but not 100%.

Again thanks,

Elliott

[Hwnel]

For those interested,

The problem has been resolved by changing the ESU Switchpilot decoder to a Märklin 6083 decoder.

Thank you Dieter for your efforts.

Aloha,

Elliott