I am purchasing a used HO steam engine (BLI Blue Line) that has the factory sound decoder and a second motor decoder (NCE) now programmed for address 03. Can they be programmed using DecoderPro without removing/disconnecting one of the decoders (motor I assume)? I did a similar one years ago before I had DecoderPro and had to program each decoder before installing the second one, but don't remember exactly how I did it.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Bob,
I haven't done this but IIRC you enable the locks on each decoder. Then you unlock each one in turn to program it, then lock it again to do the other decoder. This is found in the Advanced tab of the roster entry in JMRI.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have a Blueline Niagara and simultaneously programmed both the onboard Blueline sound decoder and an Lenz Silver MP motor decoder (which I installed) using my NCE Power Cab with zero issues. I don't know about your previous install decoder but make sure that the NCE decoder that comes with the eBay locomotive is on the BLI "compatible" list for the Blueline sound decoders. I've read that those NOT on the compatible list are more apt to have programming issues.
I tried locating that particular list online but haven't been about to find it yet. Given the variety of motor decoders these days, I remember it being a surprisingly short list.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Here's a link to some programming suggestions from Ulrich Models: http://ulrichmodels.com/Prostores/Technical-Documents/BlueLine/BlueLineTips.htm
and some more information from TonysTrainExchange: http://tonysdcc.com/technews/bline_prog_reports.htm
Thanks for the info guys. I am a little hesitant with this still, but when I get the engine I will try these suggestions and document all the changes I make to keep track of when something goes wrong (not that I am expecting anything to?).
Well I solved the problem: I bought a BLI 2-8-2 with factory DCC/Sound and won't have to deal with the 2 decoders after all. Thanks again for all the support.
farrellaa Well I solved the problem: I bought a BLI 2-8-2 with factory DCC/Sound and won't have to deal with the 2 decoders after all. Thanks again for all the support. -Bob
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrainahh, so you hadn't actually bought the loco yet. Instead of a Blue Line, you bought a Paragon 2? Rich
Correct; I was in the process of purchasing the used Blue Line loco when I came across a Paragon loco for $10 more, no brainer there.
As I mentioned before, I have a BlueLine Niagara that I installed a Lenz Silver MP motor decoder into and never had an issue programming either one of them with my Power Cab. I've heard others say that programming two separate decoders is problematic. I liked the option, as I could choose (among the BLI "acceptable" list) those decoders that offered the best motor-control for my locomotive. With that - my Niagara both purrs AND roars.
Tom,
My previous (and only) dual decoder loco was a BLI SD9, the first sound loco I ever bought and it was before I went to DCC. I installed a Digitrax basic decoder for motor control and have a Zephyr 2.5amp system. Today, knowing what I know about decoders, I probably would have picked an NCE decoder for the motor control and I may go back and change it some day. I don't run that engine very much so it isn't even on my 'to do' list.
I have never used a Lenz decoder but have heard they are among the best for motor control. I will eventually replace all of my Bachmann DCC on board decoders, but that is a long list too. Thanks for your input on this issue, I learn something new every day.