I have a pair of BLI SW7 switchers that have a very annoying flaw. When I reverse directions and then accelerate, more often than not, this causes a shutdown by my Lenz system. This doesn't happen with any of my BLI road engines or any other loco on my roster. Of all the engines that would have this flaw, the swtichers are the worst because they are contantly changing directions while sorting or spotting cars. I discovered through trial and error that if I change directions immediately after stopping the engine, even if I delay moving in the opposite direction, I usually won't get a shutdown when I accelerate. But if I delay for more than a few seconds, such as when I reallign turnouts, and then change direction on the throttle, I get a system shutdown when I accelerate.
I have no idea why this happens and why this remedy I seem to have discovered works. It is a pain to have to remember to reverse the engine immediately upon stopping because I am focused on the task at hand. If anybody can explain why this happens and can suggest a remedy other than the one I have discovered, I would appreciate it.
An acquaintance of mine has the EXACT same thing happening with two QSI equipped GP9's on his NCE powered layout. I haven't talked with him in some time now .... don't know if he got it sorted out or not. (?)
Mark.
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Jecorbett
Try adding a little momentun to the Acceleration and Decelleration of the engine.
If I remember - BLI had problems quite a number of years ago with the engines doing that same thing.
We found adding more momentum to the engine would eliminate the problem as it gave a delay time and the system would not run into this problem
I had it do this to a Digitrax system so it is/was not limited to just one brand of DCC!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
What power supply are you using to drive your Lenz system? Is it a full 5-amp supply, or something less?
How much other stuff is running - other locomotives looping around, illuminated passenger cars and the like?
Do you have your layout separated into districts protected by individual breakers?
Are these new engines, or engines that have been sitting in a box for a while? Do they have LEDs or incandescent bulbs for headlights?
I'm thinking that the grease in the gears is old and gummy. When you stop and change direction, the engine needs extra power to overcome the old grease. But, if your DCC system is underpowered, or if you're running close to what it's capable of putting out, the extra power just isn't available.
If you reverse direction, the headlights change, which might give some clue as to why waiting after a direction change makes a difference. Does it make a difference if the headlights are on or off?
Unless your Lenz is very old, it is a 5-amp system, but it is still limited if you're not driving it with a full 5 amp supply.
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