New Retooled MTL F7 shells?

Hello--

I thought I read in Zscale that MTL is retooling its F7s shells. Is this true? Joe, what say you?
If so, what differences will exist between the old and new shells?

Thanks,

Steve Williams

It is true. Joe can confirm this, but as I understand, the new F7A shell will be comparable in tooling quality to the F7B shell.

My question for Joe: will the horns be cast-on or added separately? I anticipate they'll be added on, but it would be nice to have that confirmed.

I have a MTL F7 circa 2000 (95 date on instructions) -- is there a motor or chassis upgrade; specifically so I can run off 9volts?

TIA,

Jim

Jim,
As I understand it, this is a cosmetic retooling, the motor and chassis remain the same.
The Z power standard is 8V and I really don't see that changing. But you can run off a 9V DC supply with just a bit of additional electronics.

Mark

The old F7 will run on 9 vdc but it is drawing about 300 miliamps so it appears sluggish I usually break them in using 12vdc. Those that have sat around a long time can stand being cleaned and re-oiled very lightly and then broken in again. My best units( well broken in) draw 200ma about twice the motor in the Geeps will draw. my worst one draw all most 300 ma. You need a controller that can deliver 10vdc at 500ma to get the F7 when new to run without a hitch. So a single 9bdc battery will have it staggering around the layout. But you can increase the capacity by paralleling more than one (9VDC battery. Using 4x 9vdc battery clips connect all the reds together and all the blacks together and then connect the red and black to your controller. input making sure the polarity is correct. I have several of these 4 packs and they can replace a wall transformer to run most portable layouts for many hours at a show.

THe new F7 is to have some mechanical upgrade to the gear train and power pickup area to stop them flopping over on one side but I believe Joe said the motor will stay the same.

cheers Garth

Hope I’m contributing; don’t mean to take over the thread – appreciate the info!

I’m using the “Ztrack Snail Speed Controller” powered via 9vdc “WallWart” – a switching supply, not just a transformer & rectifier, good for an amp.

Put to on them along with my block and turnout switches in a plastic project box.

Seems to power up my 3 train and doing my ganged turnouts very nicely.

My AstroFlight “Whattmeter” says 9.1volts & 100ma for the GP & F7; almost 200 for the Marklin Pacific.

Several pictures and videos are available on this thread.

All comments are welcome!



Jim

Jim,
I've not actually measured the maximum voltage from the Zsnail controller, but will when I get home. I always just assumed the voltage to be less than 9V. Since several manufacturers use a 9V motor and there is always some margin in their specification, I would not expect excessive problems running at 9V other than the heat generated. If you have a look at the MR review of the GP-35, they report an unrealistic speed of 140MPH (scale) at 9V so I wouldn't expect to be running at full throttle anyway.
But if you consider than Marklin has been building locos for 30 years to the 8V spec I doubt anyone would change the rating.

Mark

The voltage drop across the Snail is 0.55; with these applied voltages: 9.1 (8.55), 10.0, & 11.5.

Endre Medveczky told me that it will work w/max input of 16V & load of up to 1.5amps.

So, it could be used to do the 12V break in as used by Garth.

Sidebar: I mostly use brushless motors in my planes; but used to break in brushed S400 "under water".

Above was no-load; under load of F7 (& GP35) w/9.1 the voltage at my track is 8.