5 Pole Upgrade for the 8998 Turntable

The Marklin 8998 turntable was produced from 1984-2002 featuring 3 pole motor, plastic construction with metal railing details and remote control. The original 3 pole motor can be upgraded to a 5 pole motor part #211914. Repair requires soldering, removal of bridge and disassembly of motor housing. *Special attention should be paid to electrical contacts at each end of bridge as they are delicate and subject to bending, it will not operate correctly if they bend.

The option to upgrade motors is available, but care needs to be taken each step of the way.

Marklin 5 pole motor for swing bridge: FullSizeRender

Original 3 pole motor on left next to new 5 pole on right: *Notice capacitor on 3 pole motor is bent forward (usually capacitors are bent in opposite direction in locos).

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Step 1: turntable face down *notice plastic cap in center, this is removed to expose center bolt.

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Step 2: with center bolt exposed use flat screwdriver to push off spring click that holds bolt together, set aside along with thin brass washer. FullSizeRender-12

Step 3: with a gentle grip of the bridge (careful not to bend or break anything on bridge) push center bolt out and set aside

Step 4: remove bridge from turntable assembly and place face down, notice motor housing identified by small screws holding the compartment together

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Step 5: remove 4 screws and set aside compartment door FullSizeRender-3

Step 6: take note of motor and gearing FullSizeRender-2

Step 7: great care should be taken to prevent bending of electric contacts on each end of bridge

Step 8: with soldering iron remove leads to motor

Step 9: remove 3 pole motor, gearing, clean and replace then add a drop Labelle 108 oil to gears and track rollers FullSizeRender-6

Step 10: test motor and break-in brushes with forward and reverse throttle, install new motor, bend capacitor wires as illustrated and solder leads to capacitor

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Step 11: capacitor must fit tightly under plastic housing before screwing back together otherwise it might not clear the base of the turntable preventing level smooth turning

Step 12: carefully re-position bridge locating the pointed plastic end of bridge in place before positioning other end. Care should be taken to avoid bending electrical contacts at each end of bridge. FullSizeRender-9

Step 13: replace center bolt, install thin brass washer and spring clip followed by plastic cap.