Hi!
In testing out the lower level of my under construction HO layout, I found that one of my two BLI Paragon RSD-15s was displaying erratic behaviour during slow movements over Atlas code 100 turnouts.
I've got the problem narrowed down to the fact that one side of the truck on the short hood end is not picking up juice. This has been validated with a connectivity tester.
I wrote BLI for advice on fixing it myself but have not yet heard from them. Frankly, I don't want to send this to them and lose it for 6 weeks.
Sooo, I was wondering if any of you have experience with this loco and could advise me on the best way to remove the shell, and if there are any peculiarities in the wiring that I should be aware of, etc., etc.
Thanks,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Thanks David!
Last afternoon I got some info from BLI as to how to remove the shell. Actually (as you indicated), it was very simple, just remove the two coupler boxes and spread the shell. Removal of the truck in question was not much of a problem, and pulling the bottom piece off allowed the sideframes to be removed.
Yes, one of the wires was broken from the solder joint on the sideframe, and the other one came off once I put a little stress on it.
I can obviously fix it, but I need to replace the wires as they are just a tad too short. But, the smallest gauge stranded wire I can find in my "stuff" is about 50% heavier than what I need.
Hopefully BLI will send me some - and/or I can buy some "somewhere".
This was the first BLI loco I have disassembled (I have 6) and was surprised at how easy it was (once you know how of course) and aside from the faulty connection, how well built it appears to be. Its amazing to this ol guy how they can neatly stuff a decent motor, sound system/speaker, and decoder in such a small space. Ha, and this is HO - which makes me marvel even more at N or Z locos w/sound!
Have you installed any decoders that came with wires that you either cut off or didn't use? There's your source of wire. Failing to have enough black, you can use a section of grey or white and hit it with a black marker to hide it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy,
I have yet to install decoders (still working on the layout itself) and have not bought any as of yet. I thought of the decoder harness wires as perfect substitutes for my needs, so went to the LHS this morning to just buy a harness.
Unfortunately they had only decoders with harness attached, and none available separately. However, the clerk said he had several at home and would bring me one in tomorrow.
BLI also just wrote and they will send some as well, so we will see which works best.
You can buy just the wire for a lot less than the harness, of course if you want to do it now and your LHS doesn;t have the wire in stock....