Hi guys, I am new to the forums and model trains in general. I recently purchased a BLI E7 (the original paragon series), and I was under the impression that you could run this engine on either DCC or DC.
For months I have been running it fine on DCC at my brothers layout but now I am starting a small DC layout at my house, and I don't know if its possible to run this engine now. I tried using my DC controller (the thing is a dinosaur from 15 years ago), Blueline engines work fine (without DCC decoder) on DC, but my paragon engines won't run. I turn up the throttle all the way and the light blinks on and off real quick, but thats it.
Once you run a Paragon series engine on DCC is there any way to run it on DC?
Thanks.
If your light blinks REAL QUICK, TURN DOWN THE VOLTAGE REAL QUICK. That means you're over volting it. You risk damaging the decoder. Run no more than 16V DC across the rails. 14V DC is better.
Assuming this is a QSI sound chip, by default from the factory, it should run on both DC and DCC.
However you'll need to dig out your documentation. There's a register that needs to be set to allow it to run on both DC and DCC. The register is usually refered to as "Alternate Power mode" Sometimes there's a bit for it under CV 29
It takes a while for it to power up and start moving. 6 Volts will turn on the decoder and sound, and the engine will sit there idling. Around 8 Volts and it will start moving.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Crap, I hope I didn't just destroy my $300 engine... I don't know anything about electronics.
Yeah, its a QSI sound chip, I tried reading the manual inside and out, from what I gather it says I might have to reset it to factory values, I honestly don't know how to work my brothers MRC Prodigy Advanced system that well, I don't know much about CVs or which buttons to push.
***, this sucks.
rjake4454 I recently purchased a BLI E7 (the original paragon series), and I was under the impression that you could run this engine on either DCC or DC.
I have been running it fine on DCC at my brothers layout .... I tried using my DC controller ... but my paragon engines won't run. I turn up the throttle all the way and the light blinks on and off real quick, but thats it. ... Once you run a Paragon series engine on DCC is there any way to run it on DC?
P.S. I don't think you need to worry about burning it out. Many people run their DCC systems at 17.5V to the track. In fact, that is the default for several brands including Lenz. I lowered mine to 14.5, and thinking about taking it down another volt.
Have your brother put it on his program track and call up CV29. Make CV29=38. That should put your loco in DC and DCC mode and it will remember its address when you run it on DCC again.
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!
Well, I just went over to my brothers and ran it back on DCC, to my great relief, no problems.
Thanks for the input guys, I'll have him take care of it.