I have a BLI Paragon 3 Bessemer SD-7 that I love! Have ran it for around 40 hours or so using a Digitrax DB 150 Decoder Pro as throttle.
Last night, i flip of the power to run inside to do something for the wife. Came back out and powered up the layout and the SD-7 seemed like it was in sleep mode. Engine would ram up, horn worked but the engine would not move.
Today I tried to reset the decoder to default using CV8 to 8. While it changed the address to 3 engine would still not move forward? Then for the heck od it I tried it in reverse. Took off like a rocket and I had No Speed control. Would not stop when I hit the throttle stop button?
Today I used the PR3 to try to read the decoder, kept getting the 306 code that the decoder was not talking to the PR3. For the heck of it I tried hitting the reset button on Decoder Pro, nothing.
I all so tried it on DC, same thing.
If I had speed control going backwards I would think it was a gear problem.
Any tips for me to try before I send packing back to BLI?
Thank you for the coming answers.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Full speed reverse, no speed control, and no forward whatsoever? Same on DC? My guess is the motor drive circuit is fried.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Been dazed and confused for so long it's not true
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Bear "It's all about having fun."
Using JMRI, try a reset. Use the reset in the top menu. From the dropdown menu select "Reset All CVs Even If Decoder Locked". This writes "254" to CV="8".
You can also try your throttle to write 254 to CV8.
For paragon2 decoders I found that this was necessary.
Peter
Thanks Folks
Peter I will give a try but I am with Randy I think the decoder is toast.
I have read on line the early Pargon 3 did not like the older Digitrax systems. MY SEB is about 7 years old now I guess.
Few of the funcutions did not work right. Never could get the Rolling Thunder Reciver to work. And when I used the Macro Funtion the engine took off like a nut!
Calling BLI Tuesday.
Thanks for the answers!
Ken
Based on my experiences with my early Paragon 3 PRR L1s, I have to agree with Randy; get a Return Authorization number from BLI and send it back to them.
Say what you will about the quality of their products (I've heard "Lousy" to "Perfect" from others), their Customer Service is top drawer. My L1s developed a nasty habit of running nicely for about 2', stalling, surging at near the speed of sound for several feet, stalling, surging, etc. etc. I sent it back to BLI and they replaced just about everything but the engine and tender shells. Downside: Believe them when they tell you they have a 13 week back log. Upside: I didn't even have to pay for shipping.
A second trip to Florida to fix a lighting problem (no headlight or front markers; backup light and rear markers worked fine) took less than 10 days. My L1s is running perfectly now. Or, at least, as perfectly as I can make it run; there are still lots of features (CV settings) I haven't explored yet.
ChuckAllen, TX
In another thread Ken said BLI is going to replace the decoder for him. (It is a locomotive I bought from BLI's factory reconditioned sale and later gave to Ken). He also found the blue antenna wire was broken off the transmitter.
I had the same trouble with my L1. BLI sent me a new decoder and that did not correct its behavior so it went to Florida, too. Actually out of maybe four-dozen BLI engines in my roster, this is the first one I ever had to send in for repair.
Got it back about three weeks later and has been running fine ever since.
Other minor BLI repairs I've done myself. Yes, their customer service is very good.
Regards, Ed