Just received this loco back from BLI warranty repair and it works great!
Kudos to BLI!
They had to replace the wheel trucks, so I guess the issue was as they said the springs were too loose or tight, and they just replaced the whole thing.
From day one the above mentioned product starts and stops and loses electrical contact even using default address 03 on my Digitrax Zephyr Express DCS.
However, if I put a heavy object on the engine it runs fine. Also, even pressing on the top of it with my fingers makes it work. IMHO, the truck springs are wound too tight (expanded)? And the weight compresses it to make it sit on the tracks with good contact?
First off: While nifty looking, you do know that the P5 boxcab is a foobie for the NYC and only operated on its rival, the PRR?
Yea, it does sound like the springs are too rigid. I would contact/email the BLI Service Department and explain to them your issue. It's possible that they have had similar complaints about that model and now have a solution for it. It would require you to ship it to Ormand Beach (FL) for a few weeks...but the repair would be free, if it's still under warranty.
HTH,
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage First off: While nifty looking, you do know that the P5 boxcab is a foobie for the NYC and only operated on its rival, the PRR? Yea, it does sound like the springs are too rigid. I would contact/email the BLI Service Department and explain to them your issue. It's possible that they have had similar complaints about that model and now have a solution for it. It would require you to ship it to Ormand Beach (FL) for a few weeks...but the repair would be free, if it's still under warranty. HTH, Tom
Yep, I contacted them with their form and will call them Monday as well. Yeah, Fantasy scheme...in a world where I can never find what I want in trains, it was the closest I could find for a NYC Box Cab in N.
I picked up an HO NJ Custom Brass NYC DES-3 boxcab a few years back, converted it to DCC, and added front & rear headlights:
Very unique locomotive...but cool-looking in a boxy kinda' way.
The model runs quite smoothly outfitted with a TCS MC2 decoder. And, while the gears emit a slight growl while operating, it really doesn't bother me. Since the MC2 is a motor-only decoder, the growl provides the boxcab with some believable "engine noise". I'm hoping to paint it someday...
it is probably too embarased to run with NYC on the sides, figures if it just sits there it can hide easier. May just need a PRR shell. just joking
Well, I heard back from BLI and they offered me to send it back for warranty repair. They also gave me some information should I want to try and fix it myself. That being, to stretch the springs and re-attach them.
But, I think they mis-understood that part, as I had explained I think the springs are too rigid and dont allow the natural weight of the loco to press down on the tracks. Stretching the springs would make that worse.
Thus, I will probably just send it to them for repair.
UPDATE:
I sent it back for warranty and we will see how it goes. Should be interesting as to what the cause was.
Actually, I think stretching out the springs would make them weaker, not stronger. Another option would be to make them a bit shorter, snip off say 25%.
I had a steam engine with a similar problem, the spring on the lead and trailing trucks were so strong that the drivers were barely contacting the rail. Removing them solved it, although it does run a bit rougher without the springs. Eventually I may try to add some springs and see if I can balance it out.
wjstix Actually, I think stretching out the springs would make them weaker, not stronger. Another option would be to make them a bit shorter, snip off say 25%. I had a steam engine with a similar problem, the spring on the lead and trailing trucks were so strong that the drivers were barely contacting the rail. Removing them solved it, although it does run a bit rougher without the springs. Eventually I may try to add some springs and see if I can balance it out.
I felt the same way and pointed it out to them to no avail.
Oh well, its in their hands now.
Still waiting for a status update from BLI
They fixed it and its on its way back to me. No idea what the issue was.
Just got it back from BLI Warranty repair and it works great now!