This is for anyone who has a new BLI BlueLine loco with the new proprietary sound or who plans to buy one and uses a Digitrax Empire Builder DCC control system.
I purchased two of the Broadway Limited Blue Line series with the new proprietary sound system. One Big Boy and one ATSF 4-8-4 and I am having problems with the sound while using the Digitrax Empire Builder DDC system.
The locos run fine with no sound.
I followed the instructions for installing the decoders and used a Digitrax DN143IP Decoder in both locos. I programmed both locos on an isolated programming track using a Digitrax Zephyr for programming. Both locos worked fine on the programming track but not on the layout using the Empire Builder command station.
I took both locos to the train club which uses a Digitrax system with a DCS 100 Command Station (Super Chief) and DB150’s configured as boosters, both locos worked fine with good sound. I then took both locos home and configured my DB150 as a booster and hooked a long Loconet cable from my Zephyr to my DB150 which is configured as a booster an d I have sound and the locos run great.
What I am trying to say is if you use a Digitrax Empire Builder DCC system beware. You will not be able to have sound while using the DB150 configured as a command station.
I contacted Broadway Limited and they said nobody has complained about it (just released series). They said they have not tested it with a DB150 command station. They were not sure what a DB150 was. They said it will work with any NMRA compatible system. Digitrax said the Empire Builder system works with all sound systems that they tested.
If you use a Digitrax Empire builder system and purchase one of these locos let me know if you have problems. The only work around I have found is described above. I did unhook my Digitrax and hook up a Prodigy Advance system and both locos ran fine with sound.
JT
Mr. B:
I've got a question on this. I'm working from poor memory here, but if I remember correctly the BLI instructions concerning decoder installation talk about removing a jumper plug when the new, motor, decoder is installed. That part I understand. What I found confusing was whether or not the jumper was supposed to be removed if only the sound decoder was being initially programmed.
I take it from your response to the original post that the sound decoder programming occurs straight from the box with that jumper installed, and that the sound decoder can be programmed either on the program track or on the main (depending on the DCC system). Since the jumper is what allows the engine to operate on DC, what does the motor try to do when the sound decoder is being initially programmed?
If you can clear this up for me, it would be appreciated.
Regards
I have had great success programing and reading CVs in the Bluelines with my Power cab. I tried doing the first one like it said in the book taking the jummper out and then putting the motor decoder in but it didnt work so I programed both decoders together for the addy and CV29 works great. Overall Im pleased with the Bluelines.
Pete
P.S. I used a TCS T1 decoders in the Bluelines and change the orange LEDs to sunny whites.
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
My post was not to complain about decoder instillation.
The installation of the decoder in these two BlueLine locos went without any problems and the locos run fine on all of my DCC systems except for the Digitrax Super Empire Builder system (DB150 configured as a command station.). With it they run fine with no sound.
Now if I had botched the installation, I would be having problems with all systems. I too have been using the DB150 configured as a command station for three years and every loco with or with out sound run fine until I purchased these two BlueLines and these work fine on the Super Chief system ( DCS 100) the Zephyr system (DCS 50). They work fine on Prodigy, Bachmann and NCE systems. I tried all of these systems before settling on Digitrax.
As for a user problem I do not think so.
I have been installing decoders with and with out sound for years with no problems.
As for Broadway Limited. I am still working with them with problems.
I do not believe it is a Digitrax problem . Their system has been out for years with no problems.
jtbailey wrote:My post was not to complain about decoder instillation. The installation of the decoder in these two BlueLine locos went without any problems and the locos run fine on all of my DCC systems except for the Digitrax Super Empire Builder system (DB150 configured as a command station.). With it they run fine with no sound. Now if I had botched the installation, I would be having problems with all systems. I too have been using the DB150 configured as a command station for three years and every loco with or with out sound run fine until I purchased these two BlueLines and these work fine on the Super Chief system ( DCS 100) the Zephyr system (DCS 50). They work fine on Prodigy, Bachmann and NCE systems. I tried all of these systems before settling on Digitrax. As for a user problem I do not think so. I have been installing decoders with and with out sound for years with no problems. As for Broadway Limited. I am still working with them with problems. I do not believe it is a Digitrax problem . Their system has been out for years with no problems.
Are these BL loco's the only ones you own?
I bought 2 SD40-2's. With the first one I installed the motor decoder after unpluging a little decoder (from 8 pin socket) for the DC sound command gitiup unit you can purchase to control sound functions for DC. I then had some problems programming DCC sound functions. I had to pull the Digitrax motor decoder and lock out the sound board BEFORE re-installing the motor decoder. Should have read the Blue Line manual first.
What I had to do (before installing the motor Dec) was to put the loco on the programming track and lock out the sound board.
To do this. Set CV 16 to a value of two (2) and CV15 to a value of zero (0).
After installing the motor decoder I set CV16 to one (1) and CV15 To zero (0).
When you need to program sound set CV15 to two (2) so it matches the the CV16 value of two (2). Now CV15 and CV16 match values, sound decoder is unlocked! Don't forget to set CV15 back to zero when your done, to relock the sound decoder.
Do the same thing to unlock your motor decoder, Set CV15 to 1, it's unlocked.
Blue Line still uses the NMRA locking critiria AFAIK. Also had to swith a light plug from 1 to 7 or vice-versa to control lights from my DT-400, use Digi Super Chief.
Motor = 1
Sound = 2
The problem is the sound and motor decoders use duplicate CV values at times, so without locking you may end up in-advertantly programming both decoders at the same time.
JulesB