If I were to purchase a BLI Blueline locomotive and wanted to fit it with DCC, could I use a basic DCC decoder and still have all the functions.
Thanks
I would ask, what is your definition of a basic decoder?
The basic Bachmann decoders are not very good.
With sound or no sound, SoundTraxx has very good decoders for these locos.
I just put a Tsunami in BLI A & B units that had no sound and were DC only.
If you do not want sound, SoundTraxx has come out with some new non sound decoders with the capability to consist quite easily with the Tsunami.
I have used a Digitrax DZ125 decoder with two light leads, ($19.95) with very good running characteristics but Digitrax does have one with more lighting capabilities. They have BEMF
There are other good brands of decoders that are not expensive.
Litchfield Station can advise you what would be suitable. They have for me.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Yes, that was the intention all along...those with strictly DC layouts who wanted some sound capacity on board got their wish, and those who wanted a less expensive than Paragon/Hybrid version of exactly/almost exactly the same locomotive could add a $20 two or three function decoder so that they had the full DCC capability. BLI's forum has sticky threads for doing this.
-Crandell
Alec,
BLI has a list of recommended decoders for their Blueline series. (IIRC, it has something to do with how the motion decoder and sound decoders program and operate together.) Using decoders not found on the recommended list may yield less than desirable results from your locomotive.
One of the choices for my NYC Niagara was a Lenz Silver MP decoder. I chose that one because it had excellent BEMF. Boy! They weren't kidding! The low speed response is just terrific and my Niagara crawls like a champ at speed step 001. Granted, the Lenz decoders aren't cheap...but they're worth every penny - to me.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
AlecWilliamFry If I were to purchase a BLI Blueline locomotive and wanted to fit it with DCC, could I use a basic DCC decoder and still have all the functions. Thanks
Yes. I typically drop a Digitrax DN143PS decoder in mine.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
jbinkley60 AlecWilliamFry: If I were to purchase a BLI Blueline locomotive and wanted to fit it with DCC, could I use a basic DCC decoder and still have all the functions. Thanks Yes. I typically drop a Digitrax DN143PS decoder in mine.
AlecWilliamFry: If I were to purchase a BLI Blueline locomotive and wanted to fit it with DCC, could I use a basic DCC decoder and still have all the functions. Thanks
Last year, I purchased a pair of BLI F7's in HO scale from Factory Direct Trains, and they installed Digitrax N14IP decoders. The BlueLine engines perform superbly, and the decoders perform all of the basic functions that you could wish for.
Alton Junction
And by using that decoder would I still have all of the sound capabilities such as the whistle, bell, etc...
The sound decoder and motion decoder are completely separate from one another. The only thing the motor decoder will affect is DCC operation and lighting.
However, keep in mind that when you program the address for a Blueline locomotive on the programming track, you program both the sound AND motion decoder - at the same time. If the sound comes on but your locomotive doesn't move, or it moves but there is no sound, the decoders have NOT programmed together properly. (This will be stated in your Blueline manual that comes with your locomotive.)
I believe this is why BLI has a list of "recommended" decoders because they know those particular decoders will successfully program with their Blueline sound decoder . I've had no problem programming my Blueline Niagara with the Lenz Silver MP that I installed into it.
As noted earlier you keep all of the sound functions and add whatever the motor decoder has, so you get more than a straight Blueline loco.
Springfield PA
In Bluelines, for me, after trying NCE and Digitrax, the best is the ESU Lokpilot 3.0.
My 5 Blueline steamers all have a TCS T1 basic motor and lighting decoders. The club members in my club that own Bluelines steam and diesels all use the same decoder also. BEMF and great headlight FX from the TCS decoders really make these engines run super. Read the manual about changing headlight control to the motor decoder.
Another tip of mine is to not lock either decoder if you want to consist with other locos. People tend to make a dual decoder loco a complicated thing and it is not. Basic motor control CVs and configuration CVs are common. I put the decoders in and program the whole works on the program track together. Never had a problem.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
tstage Alec, The sound decoder and motion decoder are completely separate from one another. The only thing the motor decoder will affect is DCC operation and lighting. However, keep in mind that when you program the address for a Blueline locomotive on the programming track, you program both the sound AND motion decoder - at the same time. If the sound comes on but your locomotive doesn't move, or it moves but there is no sound, the decoders have NOT programmed together properly. (This will be stated in your Blueline manual that comes with your locomotive.) I believe this is why BLI has a list of "recommended" decoders because they know those particular decoders will successfully program with their Blueline sound decoder . I've had no problem programming my Blueline Niagara with the Lenz Silver MP that I installed into it. Tom
Tom,
I forgot all about the dual decoder setup in Bluelines until you mentioned it. That was the reason that I had Factory Direct Trains install that second decoder. It can be a little tricky to program long addresses and coordinate both decoders, so you have to be careful to follow BLI's instructions. But, once programmed, all of the sounds, like whistle, horn, brakes, etc. are all there.
locoi1sa Another tip of mine is to not lock either decoder if you want to consist with other locos. Pete
Another tip of mine is to not lock either decoder if you want to consist with other locos.
Pete,
I forgot about that too. (I seem to have forgotten everything about the Bluline decoder).
Let me repeat your tip for emphasis.
Do not not lock either decoder if you want to consist with other locos.
AlecWilliamFry And by using that decoder would I still have all of the sound capabilities such as the whistle, bell, etc...
Yes, you retain full functionality, including sound. You have a choice of whether the lights run off of the Blueline sound decoder or the motor decoder you installed yourself. It's a simple jumper setting.