Electronics and DCC

Got a great deal on an early release BLI Blueline C30-7 (BN 5501 stock #553, no sound). There are no clear decoder installation instructions, pin orientation etc (lots of programming though). I removed the jumper as the broad looked the same as my BLI SD40. I guessed at the pin orientation because there's none labeled on the board. I've smoked (really) a TCS DP2X, and a Digitrax DH123 when I switched from "Programming" to "Track Power". BLI's website has the install instructions for a sound equipped version, but no non version. I've installed several decoders in my time, never had this happen. Anybody have any thoughts, advise!

Do these instructions from the Broadway Limited site help you at all?

http://www.broadway-limited.com/support/manuals/Final%20BlueLine%20Diesel%20Manual%207.17.08.pdf

See page 9.

This is the PDF I mentioned in my original post. I've got a pic of the board, but can't figure out how to add it to this post.

 Plugging the decoder in backwards won't smoke it, the NMRA 8 pin plug is designed to allow for that. The loco will run backwards, but it won't smoke the decoder.

 Is this really a Blueline, or is it a Stealth version of the older Paragon locos? I was not aware of Bluelines without sound.

                                                     --Randy

rrinker:

 Plugging the decoder in backwards won't smoke it, the NMRA 8 pin plug is designed to allow for that. The loco will run backwards, but it won't smoke the decoder.

 Is this really a Blueline, or is it a Stealth version of the older Paragon locos? I was not aware of Bluelines without sound.

                                                     --Randy

It appears you are correct:

http://www.pacific-western-rail.com/view_product.php?ProductID=45232

Broadway Limited doesn't list them any longer on their website but I found it on the PWRS website.  He'll need to add a sound decoder not a motor controller.  The alternative is to pull the existing motor controller decoder and replace it with a new one that has sound and motor control.

 However the non-sound Paragons were generally DCC ready, just plug in the decoder (as he has done). I would go back to step 1 - put the dummy plug back in and test it on DC. Something is clearly wrong, like a loose wire or something that is causing the motor to not be isolated properly.

                                         --Randy

Thanks, for your replies. Randy, I just tested it on my DC test track. Ran smooth as silk in both directions, no stops or stutters. I ran into this problem with a Proto 2K E9 with a MARS light once, and wasn't there the same problem with P2K GP-38's converting to DCC. For the life of me I don't remember the fix. If worse comes to worse, I live an hour west of BLI, I'll take it to the source. I've emailed BLI, if I don't hear back, here I come.

rrinker:

 However the non-sound Paragons were generally DCC ready, just plug in the decoder (as he has done). I would go back to step 1 - put the dummy plug back in and test it on DC. Something is clearly wrong, like a loose wire or something that is causing the motor to not be isolated properly.

                                         --Randy

So the original non-sound Paragons didn't come with a DCC motor controller, just a dummy plug ?  The only Paragons I have all came with sound and DCC so I don't have a non-sound unit.  I guess it would make sense to have them DCC ready as opposed to just a motor/light only controller. 

 Yeah they had the "Stealth" series which was the same Paragon loco minus the QSI sound board and speakers. No DCC at all, straight DC. It almost wasn't worth the proce difference, they were less than $100 cheaper and the QSI decoder alone cost more than that, but some people didn't want sound or the reduced control range when running the QSI on DC, so there was a market for them.

 It may be an issue such as the class lights in certain P2K locos where they were wired across the motor an caused decoder issues.

                                          --Randy