I just purchased my first BLI 2-8-2 loco in ACL livery. I'm really impressed with the looks and sound of this engine. Now for the problems. The class lights are missing and the boiler front hand rail is missing. when runnig at our club layout on DC, it takes almost full throttle to get it moving, then takes off like a jack rabbit but will slow down quite nice, once moving and the sound is terrific. Only ran it for a couple of minutes with no train. Whistle worked as advertised. Didn't run it on DCC as our DCC guy couldn't get it programmed. I'm going to call BLI tomorrow about the missing parts. I'm not familiar with DCC as this is my first DCC loco and only about 15 minutes running a DCC train after it was programmed so I can't say the problem is the loco it self. Also, can't say the jack rabbit starts are a problem with the loco as I only ran it on DC after our DCC guy spent a half hour or more trying to programm it. I plan on taking it back to the hooby shop and see if they can get to run on DCC. If anyone has had dealings with BLI about missing parts, let me know how they respond. Thanks, Ken
Ken,
As far as operation, I would be good to find out how it responds on DCC. Your DCC guy at the club should be able to bump up the Start voltage (CV2) so that your Mike begins moving at speed step 001. The amount of speed steps may also need to be changed from 28 to 126. That should help with your Mike's response - even on DC.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks Tom. The instructions that come with it says to program it on the main track for Digitrax 400 with just a couple of steps involved, as did the video on BLI's web site. However, he was trying to aquire it on a setup track to no avail. When I mentioned this, he said it should work here also, So I have ???????? about his ability. Since I don't have a DCC system of my own I'm at the mercy of others until I get my own. Hence the trip to the hobbyshop to see if they can get it to run on DCC. Instructs also say it's loco 3 by default and for Digitrax 400 should be programmed on the main track to but a 4 digit code into it, not a setup track. I don't know the difference though. Thanks again, Ken
Ken
Is this a Blueline locomotive? If it is then you will need a motor decoder to operate on DCC. I have several BLI Blueline locos that run super on DCC. I tried them on DC first and got the same results as you had.
As far as service after sale BLI is top notch. A simple Email to Matthew will have your parts at your door in short order. I found a broken wire from a tender truck on my I1sa and he wanted to send me a whole new truck and harnness. I emailed him back and said that I had replaced the wire and did not need the truck.
http://www.precisioncraftmodels.com/
Customer service will address any issue you may have.
Pete
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!
locoi1sa Ken Is this a Blueline locomotive? If it is then you will need a motor decoder to operate on DCC. I have several BLI Blueline locos that run super on DCC. I tried them on DC first and got the same results as you had. As far as service after sale BLI is top notch. A simple Email to Matthew will have your parts at your door in short order. I found a broken wire from a tender truck on my I1sa and he wanted to send me a whole new truck and harnness. I emailed him back and said that I had replaced the wire and did not need the truck.http://www.precisioncraftmodels.com/ Customer service will address any issue you may have. Pete
Pete, I don't know about the blueline, but my hobby shop said the engine is complete with sound and decoder. The instruction book also reflects this as it gives instructions to start DCC operations right away. No mention of having to install anything. It say's the loco is set for engine 3 and say's to set controler to128 speed steps. Then it says start locomotive by turning up the throttle and then lists the different function keys for bell, whistle, etc. The mfr's number on the box is 1123. Thanks, Ken
Then it has a QSI made decoder. In BLIs web site there is a downloadable manual for the QSI decoder.
Yep Pete. your right. The box say's QSI equiped. Also the box has PARAGON on it. The web site say's the same thing the instruction manual say's. I just don't think there is anything wrong with the loco. Our expert is just not programming it the way it should be. Anyway, thanks for the help and moral support. Ken
I am quite sure a step was missed. Once the 03 address is changed to an extended address (a number higher than 127), the decoder needs permission to enable the long address....again, any address of a number higher than 127. The missing step is to change CV 29 to a value of 34 (if you only ever intend to operate the loco on DCC track systems) or a value of 38 if you may want to run it on a DC/analog layout from time to time.
Place the loco on the track, enter Ops Mode (making sure the address is "03"), and do the change to CV 29. Then, exit programming, restore power to the track if your system automatically cuts it during a CV write, and then get the new address on the throttle and activate it. As soon as you acquire the new address, your loco will start sounds. Toot the horn...it toots? You are in business and can now operate your engine.