Hello,
Does anyone know which NCE decoder I can use as it's not listed on the NCE site? These Blue line engines have sound decoders, but need an additional motor decoder to run on DCC.
Thanks to all who reply.
Neal
Hi, Neal
Broadway suggests the N 14 IP according to page 14 here:
http://www.broadway-limited.com/support/manuals/Final%20BlueLine%20Diesel%20Manual%207.17.08.pdf
I seem to recall needing a "riser plug" to get it to fit over the board components.
Hope that helps, Ed
I have the N14IP decoders installed in my Bluelines. No problems, no complaints.
Do not use the Lock feature for the sound decoder and the motive decoder.
Be patient in your programming and consisting. You will likely encounter problems.
Rich
Alton Junction
FWIW, I ended up using a Lenz Silver-MP decoder in my Blueline Niagara and it has worked fantastically. It really crawls at speed step 001 (<1sMPH) and I had no problems programming either the sound or the motor decoders.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The Blueline has its share of problems, thanks in part to the dual decoder setup.
Also, when trying to set up consists, the Blueline resists Advanced Consisting.
The problems may be less obvious with steam engines than with diesels.
Even though Blueline may have been problematic for some, I still like the concept of being able to install a decoder of my choosing - i.e. one from the BLI recommendation list. What were the primary problems/complaints about Blueline, Rich?
tstage What were the primary problems/complaints about Blueline, Rich?
What were the primary problems/complaints about Blueline, Rich?
2 decoders in one loco are almost always problematic, especially when CVs overlap between the two.
About the only part that is probbaly a non-issue for Digitrax users is the consisting, since Digitrax doesn't by default use CV19 consisting so they should consist fine with Digitrax. The other things - often problems with ANY dual decoder install, not limited to BLI Blueline.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Although I never tried to consist my Niagara, I never experienced any of the other three issues. I'm curious whether these issues were more predominate with those using the BLI "recommended" decoders...or, those who insisted on installing and using whatever decoder they wanted.
Tom, which brand of motor decoder did you install in your Niagara?
Rich,
Lenz Silver-MP, which has excellent motor control.
Thanks to all who replied. I'm ordering the NCE decoder and will install it as soon as it arrives.
Neal, take the installation and programming slow. Do not use the Lock feature.
You want to keep both decoders unlocked and give each decoder the same long address.
Stay away from using the short address.
If you get the lights and sound working but not the movement, or vice versa, don't panic. You will eventually get everything working the way you want it.
The reset to factory default is your best friend in this instance.
Rich, I was telling someone in my train group at home and I was told that NCE decoder, when trying to consist, doesn't perform that well and he switched to Digitrax so he could consist. Anyone try consisting their diesel engines with the NCE decoder?
nealknows Rich, I was telling someone in my train group at home and I was told that NCE decoder, when trying to consist, doesn't perform that well and he switched to Digitrax so he could consist. Anyone try consisting their diesel engines with the NCE decoder? Neal
Advanced consisting is a problem. My understanding is that it is the factory installed Blueline decoder that is the problem, not the NCE decoder. I had not heard that Digitrax works any better than NCE in this regard. When I use NCE decoders in non-Blueline locos, I have no problem with advanced consisting.
Here is Joe Fugate's solution to the dilemma associated with Advanced Consisting and Blueline locomotives.
http://www.thetraindepot.co.nz/Fixing%20Blueline%20Decoders.htm