HO GG1 sidekicker

[Anonymous]

Can't fire mine up. The red LED comes on when I throttle up but no loco sound
response when I touch the sound horn/bell keys.
The DC reverse switch activites sound but not the kicker.
Their tech guy is out till 3/16.

Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

With out more info, one would have to guess at what you are asking.

Are you referring to the Broadway Limited GG-1?

And their "Sidekick" auxiliary button pair to activate the horn and bell?

Do you have it correctly installed? The red wires go to the power pack and the black ones go to the track.

Have you tried the engine on the track without the Sidekick? Does it produce sounds?

Bob Boudreau

[twhite]

Chuck--there was another thread on this recently, someone having the same problem. Did you connect it to the Variable or Fixed DC? Reason I ask is that when I got mine, I accidentally connected it to the Fixed. After my brain-gas, I reconnected it and it worked fine. However, I've heard that there are some defective ones out there. BLI is usually--at least from what I've heard--really good about either fixing or replacing.
Tom

[Anonymous]

I connected to the Variable.
Geez, looks like I have a lemon. I talked to them today but they want me to wait until 3/16 and Standard wants $9.00 for shipping out another plus I have a return shipping fee.

$9.00 plus, is no big deal but this is the consequence when dealing with some(not all)
mail order firms.

[twhite]

chuck--I think $9.00 IS a plus (or minus in this case) especially when we're dealing with a $25.00 item. I'm really sorry you got a lemon with this one--but after you get one that works, you'll have fun with it. BTW, it'll STILL cause your non-BLI's to suddenly reverse if you're running them along with your GG-1 and press the horn. But it'll save you wear and tear on your power-pack direction switch.
Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

BTW, it'll STILL cause your non-BLI's to suddenly reverse if you're running them along with your GG-1
Tom

Thanks for the heads up Tom.

By the way did you fuss with the DC speed range features?
That optional knuckle coupler head really sits high. I installed a #21 under shank on my lead car for now.

[Anonymous]

Chuck, even though you haven't gotten the sidekick to work, have you had a chance to run it? How does it handle your 22" curves?

[Anonymous]

Jonathon, it will handle 18" as well. Sound is great considering I'm DC and have to use the reverse switch to activate horn/bells.
The optional knuckle coupler head sits a little to high IMO
The head light is the brigthess I own.

[Anonymous]

It works!

[twhite]

chuck--to answer you question about the DC speed range--yes. I've got about 5 BLI steamers, and I re-programmed them to start at about 6va, which is just about the minimum I can get. That at least puts them in the upper half quadrant of my power-pack (I've got the RMC ControlMaster 20, and I use the Nudge switch to get them started). I've found out that after they break in, they'll control VERY easily.
Tom

[twhite]

Yo, Chuck--you mean the Sidekick kicked in? If so, what did you do? Or did the little devil just suddenly decide to become co-operative?
Tom [:D]