Blueline sound decoders

[locoi1sa]

anteaum2666

 Go to BLIs web site and download the instructions for programing with Digitrax. I have the M1 with a TCS T1 decoder and programed both decoders together with an older power cab in about five minutes with no problems what so ever. I have heard of others useing a separate loco or a decoder tester to program the motor decoder separate from the blueline. Could the rough running be traced to the motor decoder or mecanical malfunction? The motor decoder I used in mine came out of a loco that I upgraded to soundtraxx so I knew it was good.

 By the way I have had nothing but great coments on my blueline sound. I was told by several club members that it sounds better than the QSI M1 sold earlier.

 PS  Dont listen to BLI about locking the decoders. They dont have to be locked.

    Pete
 

[cwclark]

I just went thru this with a blueline decoder. OK, first, pull out the motor decoder that you just installed. Place the train on the programming track and in DIRECT MODE program the address you want for the sound decoder. Pull the lighting wire harness from it's location and switch it to the other wire harness receiver. (This switches the light funtions from the sound decoder to the motor decoder.)  Now, place the locomotive on the main and install the motor decoder and in OPS MODE, program the motor decoder to the same address that you programmed the sound decoder to.  One more thing. The train will not start up and run until you press any function key except F0. After all this is done, the locomotive will start and then will take off and go on it's merry way if all goes well. Also, when putting in the address in OPS MODE, be sure that the throttle display is already addressed to the sound decoder's address or you'll start changing addresses to other locomotives on the main...chuck

[anteaum2666]

I got a Blue Line T-1 for Christmas and am considering the same thing.  It won't program with my Digitrax system, and it seems crazy to buy a program booster for one engine.  I'm stuck with address 3, and the engine still doesn't run right.  Sound system starts, then cuts out.  Engine won't run without LOTS of power applied.  Moreover, this Blue Line sound system keeps tripping my PM42 auto-reverse breaker, so I can't run it through reverse loops.

I have lots of SoundTRAXX equipped engines.  I can run three at a time through my loops and not trip the breaker, so this system must pull a LOT of power.  I can program any of my SoundTRAXX decoders with no problems.

The board in my engine is well labeled.  I am strongly considering pulling out the whole sound system and replacing it with a SoundTRAXX decoder.  It's a waste of money, , but the engine is very good looking and the only C&O T-1 on the market.

[Texas Zepher]

Wondering, if you lockout blueline sound decoder,can you install your own sound decoder in 8 pin socket? Will it work or am I asking for trouble.

Now I am wondering.  Do you really want to do this or are you just curious?  If you really want to do this then why?  Why not just get a model without sound and add the one you want to it?

[cacole]

Expanding on jbinkley60's comments, if you lock the Blue Line decoder it's address can't be changed.  If you install a different sound decoder into the 8-pin socket and change it's address to the locomotive's road number but leave the Blue Line decoder set to its default address of 03, the Blue Line decoder will probably no longer function.  Is that what you're wanting to do?

 

[jbinkley60]

    Wondering, if you lockout blueline sound decoder,can you install your own sound decoder in 8 pin socket? Will it work or am I asking for trouble.

I doubt it because locking a decoder prevents the decoder from accepting programming commands not from accepting normal running commands.  The decoder is still functioning, you just can't change its config.

 

[cacole]

Yes. 

Honestly, I don't know because I have never heard of anyone trying to do this.  Try it and let us know the results.

[athearnfan]

    Wondering, if you lockout blueline sound decoder,can you install your own sound decoder in 8 pin socket? Will it work or am I asking for trouble.