I have a BLI HO Paragon SW7 and an NCE power pro DCC system. I set the engine on the program track and I get a buzz. The system won't detect the decoder. I set the engine on the main and I still get the buzz but the lights come on. I don't see a name on the decoder but it is the one that comes with it I'm assuming. What's my next move?
Thanks,
Fred
I suspect that 'buzz' is the motor. Open it up and make sure the motor can turn over by hand. The program track usually does not have enough power to operate the lights.
Another possibility is that this BLI engine is a 'Blueline' series with no motor decoder - hence the buzz...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Jim,
The motor turns very free. There is a board in it that has no manufacturer name but it has "CD02 No Sound". How do I tell if it is a "Blueline" series? For what it's worth, it came in a red box paragon series on the box. It also says Quantum equipped but it also says no sound.
jrbernier The program track usually does not have enough power to operate the lights. Jim
The program track usually does not have enough power to operate the lights.
I've never had that issue with my Power Cab. I can test lights, sound - everything - on my programming track.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Fred,
Did you purchase your SW7 off eBay recently? If it came in a red box then it's Quantum and not Blueline. If you did buy it used then it's possible that the decoder could be bad. A buzzing motor generally happens when you try operating a locomotive on DCC that has no decoder.
Did you locomotive come with a manual? You may need to move a jumper on the Quantum board in order to operate it in DCC. I had one Quantum-equipped locomotive years ago but I don't remember having to do that. Also, I remember Quantum decoders always being sound decoders. No sound may mean it is DCC-ready but has not decoder.
derf Jim, The motor turns very free. There is a board in it that has no manufacturer name but it has "CD02 No Sound". How do I tell if it is a "Blueline" series? For what it's worth, it came in a red box paragon series on the box. It also says Quantum equipped but it also says no sound. Thanks, Fred
What is the road name and cab number?
What is the Item No. on the box?
I did not realize that QSI made non-sound decoders. I thought that QSI was a sound decoder manufacturer.
Rich
Alton Junction
derfTom, Yes I just got it off Ebay and there were no instructions with it. Rich, It is an IC #1075 SW7. The box doesn't match the loco. The box does say no sound. There is a board inside with an 8 pin location in it. Is there a list that shows what decoder goes best with each manufacturer? I have looked on Tony's trains and others and I'm not seeing one. Thanks, Fred
Do you have some way to test it on a separate track? If it is merely "DCC Ready", place it on a piece of flex track and wire up a DC power pack to the track. See if you get movement or lights. It seems as if you have a non-DCC loco without a decoder.
By the way, the ICRR SW7 series were numbered in the low 1200s, no 1075 on the prototype. The ICRR did have a #1075 on a NW2 and later on a renumbered SW14.
Rich,
It's black. Broadway Limited is stamped on the bottom.
It runs fine on DC. What decoder or where would I find, what decoder is right for this or any loco?
Have you called BLI. I had problems on my programming track with the NCE PowerPro system and they told me I needed a booster.
Gary
derf Rich, It's black. Broadway Limited is stamped on the bottom.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/221839/2453075.aspx
gdelmoro Have you called BLI. I had problems on my programming track with the NCE PowerPro system and they told me I needed a booster.
Since the switcher is so small, it probably needs something like a Digitrax DZ123PS?
Thanks for all your help guys.
Since it's a switcher I would go with a decoder from TCS. Their motor-control is phenomenal - just what you want when switching trains.
One of the M1 decoders with an 8-pin harness would be an excellent choice. (I would email TCS directly to get their recommendation and feedback.) The harness will be determined by where Pin 1 is on the NRMA socket. Or, you may also be able to plug right into it without a harness.
TCS decoders will not be inexpensive but they are my defacto decoder for motor-only control and worth the extra expense. Your SW7 will absolutely crawl with one.
Tom,
I have looked all over the TCS site as well as NCE's and can't find how to select a decoder. Digitrax is the only place I have found where you plug in what type engine you have and it spits out the decoders. Do you use a site or just ask the manufacturer to recommend one?
If you look at that photo of the PC board, pin holes #1 and #5 appear to be covered by solder.
richhotrain If you look at that photo of the PC board, pin holes #1 and #5 appear to be covered by solder. Rich
Isn't that the top of the DC jumper plug?
Joe
All these replies and it's very obvious this is a DC only model.
THe buzz fromt he first message, on program track or main, is the give away. The fact that it says no sound on the board gives it away, and the picture provided of the inside only makes it intuitively obvious even to the most casual of observers (as my old HS chemistry teacher used to say - RIP Mr. Santee).
Wasn;t that long ago someone got a brand new in the box Intermountain loco and though the box said it was Loksound equipped, it in fact was one of the DCC no sound versions which had a Lokpilot decoder in it. Factory sealed, so no one was pulling a fast one, there was a mix up, probably in China when they were packaged. In this case, if purchased used, if it was from one of those sellers who doesn't normally sell train stuff, they could easily have just been going by the box, but if sold by someone who knows trains, it's a little fishy they just sold it based on the box and didn't check the contents.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
JoeinPA richhotrain If you look at that photo of the PC board, pin holes #1 and #5 appear to be covered by solder. Rich Rich Isn't that the top of the DC jumper plug? Joe
LOL, yes it is.
I need new glasses.
richhotrain JoeinPA richhotrain If you look at that photo of the PC board, pin holes #1 and #5 appear to be covered by solder. Rich Rich Isn't that the top of the DC jumper plug? Joe Oh my. LOL, yes it is. I need new glasses. Rich
Oh my.
Hope you don't need trifocals like I have. Real fun for close work.
derf Tom, I have looked all over the TCS site as well as NCE's and can't find how to select a decoder. Digitrax is the only place I have found where you plug in what type engine you have and it spits out the decoders. Do you use a site or just ask the manufacturer to recommend one?
TCS has a listing of manufacturers & decoders on their website under the "Installation pictures" tab (left side of the homepage) but it isn't all-inclusive. I would either email or call TCS directly to get their recommendation for your BLI SW7.
The M1 should be a good choice because it's small and it doesn't take up much room, which is great for small switchers. TCS will either confirm or deny that notion.
I agree that the decoder selection feature on the Digitrax website is really nice and well-done. While Digitrax and NCE make good decoders, TCS decoders are top-notch and worth the additional expense - at least in my book.
tstage While Digitrax and NCE make good decoders, TCS decoders are top-notch and worth the additional expense - at least in my book.
While Digitrax and NCE make good decoders, TCS decoders are top-notch and worth the additional expense - at least in my book.
Sometimes it is a good idea to use a plug-in type like the TCS DP-2X that does not have the added pig-tail.
https://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Doodlebug/Bachmann%20Doodlebug.htm
These take up much less room and pretty much are a simple swap for the DC jumper "dummy" plug.
Regards, Ed
New or used, Rich...Makes no difference to me. If it's a good switcher; it gets a TCS decoder. I want a switcher to excel at slow switching and TCS gives me that. But that's just me...
A excellent choice, Ed, and perhaps the one I was thinking of as a plug 'n play vs. needing a harness.
tstage New or used, Rich...Makes no difference to me. If it's a good switcher; it gets a TCS decoder. I want a switcher to excel at slow switching and TCS gives me that. But that's just me... Tom
A used switcher??
Yepper, Rich. It depends on the switcher though. Some "used" switchers are better (and more worth investing in) than some new ones.
As I said, Rich, that's me...
That's just a light board in the picture.