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BLI Heavy Mike 2-8-2 decoder options?

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: New Hampshire
  • 660 posts
BLI Heavy Mike 2-8-2 decoder options?
Posted by sparkyjay31 on Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:47 PM
My new HO scale BLI 2-8-2 comes with dc sound and is dcc ready ( 8 pin, I think ). Over at Tony's Train Exchange it appears that there could be programming issues with owner installed decoders in these factory sound locomotives. I could not find a short list of "good" decoders to install. So what decoders can you recommend? I have a NCE Powercab system if that matters any.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 15, 2009 1:11 AM

 I have a BLI Light Mike and I have installed a Digitrax DN143IP decoder, as it is recommended by BLI. I have nor encountered any problem.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, June 15, 2009 3:50 PM

 Sparky

 I use a TCS T1 in all my Blueline steamers. It has BEMF for excellent motor control. On a plus side none of the TCS lighting and motor CVs do not conflict with the BLI decoder. I also use a Power Cab and yes you can use program track to read and write to both decoders. I plug the TCS decoder in and set on the program track and program address and motor and light cvs with no problems. The Power cab has a little more power in program track mode for the sound decoders.

        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!

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: New Hampshire
  • 660 posts
Posted by sparkyjay31 on Monday, June 15, 2009 5:34 PM
locoi1sa

 Sparky

 I use a TCS T1 in all my Blueline steamers. It has BEMF for excellent motor control. On a plus side none of the TCS lighting and motor CVs do not conflict with the BLI decoder. I also use a Power Cab and yes you can use program track to read and write to both decoders. I plug the TCS decoder in and set on the program track and program address and motor and light cvs with no problems. The Power cab has a little more power in program track mode for the sound decoders.

        Pete

If you don't mind me prodding you for more info. Which T1 for your motor control? And how do you adjust the sound CV's? Do you adjust these too on the program track?
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:18 PM

 Sparky

 A T1 with a short harness will work just fine. My version 1.8 power cab will read the Blueline CVs and it writes them also. Sometimes the program track will power up the sound decoder and it will go through its random sounds like its sitting on the main line.

       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!

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