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BLI Paragon2 Lost Its Chuff

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 11:36 AM

Ed:

Thank you very much for the info.  I'll try to get hold of BLI as soon as possible to get a couple of those things.

Regards!!

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:22 AM

Hi, Maxman

Well, the exploded view shows PC board part #31. The reed switch is part of this board but all you need is the reed switch to solder in place of the bad one which is not shown in detail. It looks like the smoke unit is part of this board, too.

Heres a photo from RC Grabbag that shows the sensor (and a removed one, blurry, off to the top) just ahead of the two white plugs...

All you have to do is put a dab of heat on the sensor leads and remove and replace the little glass vial that looks like a zenier diode but is a little switch. It picks up magnetic field from the flywheel below.

My experience is with the NYC Hudsons which are a smaller board but the same glass reed switch.

BLI's builder must have bought cheap surplus reed switches for 5¢ each! Take a look at this site for some info on a Y6b reed switch R&R. http://www.rcgrabbag.com/archives/broadway-limited-y6b

[edit] I don't know if it would help but you might want to solder the reed switch onto the BOTTOM of that PC board to get it a bit closer to the magnet that lives on the flywheel. That's what I did on one of my NYC Hudsons.]

[2nd edit!] Whoops, MY BAD! After reading the text in the above link I realize the sensor IS on the bottom! I didn't realize the PC board was inverted for the photo!Embarrassed

Have a good day sir... ED

  • Member since
    February 2008
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Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 8:46 AM

gmpullman
BLI will send you replacement reed switches that are soldered onto the PC board above the main driver gearbox inside the boiler. It is a small glass tube that contains a switch and the magnet is located in a recess on the flywheel face.

Thanks for that info.  The following link is to what I believe is the parts picture: http://www.broadway-limited.com/support/explodedview/N&W%20Y6b%20Loco%20Expl%20View%20Diagram.pdf

Is the item you're talking about shown anywhere here?

Thanks again.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 8:42 AM

zstripe

Maxman,

No one responded yet so,,,,,, ''nether'' lower,otherside,,,

Cheers,

Frank

Ummm, ok.  Thanks.  LOL.  Actually that thought hit me this morning. 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 7:55 AM

I have replaced a few of these.

BLI will send you replacement reed switches that are soldered onto the PC board above the main driver gearbox inside the boiler. It is a small glass tube that contains a switch and the magnet is located in a recess on the flywheel face.

They are very fragile so I suggest you buy two incase you break one (or more depending on how many BLI steam engines you have) Contact Broadway limited and for about $2 each plus shipping they will send you the "chuff sensors" or if your engine is still in warranty they may send them free.

I "woke" one up using a strong magnet but after a month or so, the chuff disappeared again. It is not too difficult to remove the boiler shell and you will see the obvious component near the flywheel. It is a somewhat common problem with BLI steam.

Hope this helps, ED

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 4:19 AM

Maxman,

No one responded yet so,,,,,, ''nether'' lower,otherside,,,

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 1:38 AM

selector

It should have a sensor on the nether side and a small magnet or something on one of the drivers. If the magnet is still there, the sensor may be kaput, or its wiring is damaged.  If those check out, it's the decoder.

I take it that a full factory reset doesn't get things going again?

Crandell

 
Correct, the reset worked properly.
 
If you can tell me what a "nether" is, I'll see if I can find a magnet.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 12:28 AM

It should have a sensor on the nether side and a small magnet or something on one of the drivers. If the magnet is still there, the sensor may be kaput, or its wiring is damaged.  If those check out, it's the decoder.

I take it that a full factory reset doesn't get things going again?

Crandell

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
BLI Paragon2 Lost Its Chuff
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 9:22 PM

Club has a BLI Paragon 2 N&W 2-8-8-2 which has lost its chuff.  All other sounds work okay,  The F8 mute works properly.  The F5 and F6 (or maybe F4 and F5...can't remember from an hour ago) work properly with the engine at standstill for blowdown and waterfill, but do nothing with engine moving to increase /decrease chuff sound.

Anyone have an idea where I can find the lost chuff?

Thanks

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