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BLI Blueline RSD 15 sound not working

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 3 posts
BLI Blueline RSD 15 sound not working
Posted by jmcayton on Saturday, May 24, 2008 7:50 PM

I just bought a BLI Blueline RSD15 Low Hood locomotive (the one reviewed in the last issue of MR). I have an NCE DCC system that works very well. I also purchased the recommended DCC 8-pin decoder NCE141 I think.

When I set up the new loco I followed the directions carefully, removing the factory installed 8-pin decoder, and replacing it with the NCE141. Then I put the loco on a my programming track and went through the prescribed programming routine. I got the error message "cannot read CV" from the NCE hand held unit. But I continued in direct mode, then put the locomotive on the main track.

It worked great!!  Everything but the sound. (Other locomotives run fine with sound on my system)

Does anyone know what I did or didn't do?  Thanks much...

The guy at the hobby store seemed to think there was some mysterious trick or sequence I need to do, but he didn't know what it might be.

Thanks much in advance.... 

  

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Saturday, May 24, 2008 8:43 PM

Read Joe Fugate's DCC tutorial on this forum that is probably way back on page 8 or so, especially the last few pages about programming Blue Line sound.  You have to program the sound decoder to your new address first, and then lock it before you install the motor control decoder.

You'll probably have to reset the Blue Line decoder and start from scratch in order to recover from what you have done.

There was no factory installed 8-pin decoder in the Blue Line.  What you removed was just a jumper plug so the loco would run on DC.

Here's a link to Joe Fugate's tutorial.  Start near the bottom of page 21 to find the information about the Blue Line decoder programming trick.

http://cs.trains.com/forums/21/467545/ShowPost.aspx#467545

 

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 3 posts
Posted by jmcayton on Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:04 PM

 

thanks cacole,

I have NO idea how to navigate to a specific forum. I will try though.....thanks again 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Saturday, May 24, 2008 9:21 PM

In order to restore the sound, you'll probably have to remove the motor control decoder and put the jumper plug back in.  Then set CV8 = 8, and wait a couple of minutes for the decoder to reset.  Turn off the power, wait a minute, then try the sound on address 3. 

Blue Line locomotives are not for beginning hobbyists who do not have extensive DCC programming experience.  Try to find someone in your area or at a hobby shop who also has Blue Line products who can help you get things straightened out.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 3 posts
Posted by jmcayton on Sunday, May 25, 2008 7:27 AM

Thanks again.

These Blueline models are beyond me. I give up. I will just return it to the store where I bought it.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Sunday, May 25, 2008 7:32 AM

  Did you hit F9? F9 wakes the sound decoder up. I program my Bluelines with decoders instaled on the program track with a Power cab with no hastles at all. Go to BLIs web site and download the diesel programing guide under the blueline page. Loads of tricks and tips to tweek the sound decoder.

    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
    November 2007
  • 105 posts
Posted by JulesB on Sunday, May 25, 2008 8:24 AM
 cacole wrote:

Read Joe Fugate's DCC tutorial on this forum that is probably way back on page 8 or so, especially the last few pages about programming Blue Line sound.  You have to program the sound decoder to your new address first, and then lock it before you install the motor control decoder.

You'll probably have to reset the Blue Line decoder and start from scratch in order to recover from what you have done.

There was no factory installed 8-pin decoder in the Blue Line.  What you removed was just a jumper plug so the loco would run on DC.

Here's a link to Joe Fugate's tutorial.  Start near the bottom of page 21 to find the information about the Blue Line decoder programming trick.

http://cs.trains.com/forums/21/467545/ShowPost.aspx#467545

 

"There was no factory installed 8-pin decoder in the Blue Line."

I bought 2 Blue Line SD45-2s from Tony's Trains. Both had decoders marked BLI. Those decoders are for sound running with DC and the sound Command Module sold by Blue Line. The jumper plug was in a pocket of the foam packaging. In other words they come with a DC compatible sound decoder.

You are absolutly correct with regard to having to lock out the the sound board after adjusting for long address and so on. Do it before installing your motor decoder! You also have to move a jumper from JP 1 to 7 or vice versa if you want to control lights from your throttle. 

After setting up your sound set CV16 to 2 and CV 15 to 0. If CV16 and CV15 don't match your sound decoder is locked.

After installing your motor decoder set CV16 to 1 and CV15 to 0, now your motor decoder is locked.

To adjust your decoders set CV15 to match sound=2 or motor=1 and that decoder is UN-locked.

To be honest I learned the hard way. Had to un-install my motor decoder and go thru the sound locking proccess in order to set a long address in both decoders.

I'm new,still learning!!!

Jules

 

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