The loco has been to BLI twice and they say it works, but then it doesn't perform on your railroad? Sounds to me like something else is going on.
When BLI sent the loco back to you, did they happen to tell you what address they used for their tests? Maybe they left it at some other address than 3.
If this is a first issue of Paragon from pre-2009 or so, it probably has a QSI decoder...? If so, CV8 programmed with a value of 8 won't work. QSI requires a three step process to perform a factory default restoration of the settings.
Ricktrains,I just tried all of your suggestions & nothing works,oh well Ill just set it on the shelf & remember when it ran great. thanks for the help.
yes it hisses regardless of the address number
That means we have the option of blast programming available.
If one option does not work, the crazy theory is my next go to...
What I am thinking, and it may not work, but...
Use F9 once, then do F6 twice. Then try bell, horn, etc...
If it will not respond, try reprogramming the unit. CV 8=8. Then cycle power.
Then, using address 3, try the bell, horn, etc...
It may now respond, but, if not......
Crazy theory.
If regular programming will not change thimgs and get this loco to respond, blast program the unit. (My paragon unit requires the blast programming feature, otherwise it will not work correctly. It actually misbehaves quite badly.... Crazy thought is, maybe this unit is the same.....)
(Now, here is why I was inquiring about a dedicated programming track: What is the correct, current DCC address? IIRC, the Blast programming will not be able to read cv values, but, read only on a dedicated programming track will work on my Paragon unit.)
Just make sure no other units are on the tracks.... Blast programming will reprogram every unit on the tracks.
Once the unit is reprogrammed using blast programming, using the new address, try to get any sound, horn, bell, etc... to respond. If this works, the unit should work as normal, including have normal sound and operation.
If this does not work...... the only other thing I can think of, is, not enough power available due to to many sound units. (If the breaker is not quite catching onto the issue, and shutting down the command station, things can go wacko really quickly....)
If this is wrong, (not a reprogramming issue, not fixed by blast programming, not a power issue), than I am out of ideas. (Other than rip out decoder and install something else, or make a shelf queen.... That is still better than target practice... Although not as fun... But less costly. That would be one expensive target.)
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
ricktrains4824 You mentioned in the other thread you have Digitrax. Which system, exactly, by Digitrax?
You mentioned in the other thread you have Digitrax. Which system, exactly, by Digitrax?
Rich
Alton Junction
And, do you have a programming track?
Also, do you have any other locomotives on the layout at the same time? Are any of them sound?
Yes, there is a crazy theory building in my head about what might be going on here, from someone who has a Blueline unit, and a Paragon 2 unit, running a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra with a walk around throttle. (One of those super crazy, and one of those "That's so crazy, it just might work" things..... But I need a little more info before I am comfident enough on it.)
the old train man No i can not toot the horn and the headlight stays on
No i can not toot the horn and the headlight stays on
If you turn off the power to your DCC system, wait 10 seconds and turn the power back on, does the E7 hiss? Or does the loco only hiss when you access it by calling up address 3?
I have several BLI locos, all steamers however. The are the older versions with QSI decoders I believe.
With most of them when they don't react to the throttle and the right address is called up, I push function 6 twice and the locos come to life.
This step is often necessary when placing the loco on the layout after a long hiatus.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Hey, old train man, good to hear back from you.
OK, I have a pair of Paragon E7A units with QSI decoders, and I run my DCC system with an NCE PH-Pro command station.
When I access the E7A by calling up its long address, I do hear some diesel start up sounds, probably what you refer to as hissing. The upper head light comes on. When I press the first speed step, the upper headlight starts rotating (beacon). I have to press the headlight button to turn on the lower head light. I can toot the horn without the loco moving.
So, here is my question for you. When you first access your E7A by referencing the short address 3, does the upper head light come on? Can you toot the horn?
Ok guys,I hear you.This engine is the older parogon,it is set on address 3,it makes the start up sound ka-shooosh & thats the only thing it will do. I dont have dc only dcc.Thanks,
If you look back at that prior thread, the OP does not answer the questions posed to him. In order to get meaningful help and advice, there has to be a dialog.
We can combine this thread with your previous one so others can see what the history is behind this engine:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/250294/2793006.aspx#2793006
Again,
We need to know which decoder it has, there have been several runs of the E-7 and early ones were QSI and require different diagnoatics, IF BLI replaced the decoder they probably would have installed a Paragon 2.
I asked in your prior thread if you tried it on plain DC? After a reset, assuming the "NMRA Digital Only" CV is not active, your engine should run OK as a DC engine with the sound kicking in at about 3-4 volts.
I have many BLI engines but not an E-7. I just had a fussy time getting a GG1 to reset and I forgot all about the jumper pin under the roof hatch after that it was smooth sailing, and this is a fifteen year old engine.
Like Maxman said, be sure you have address 3 selected on only one throttle and you don't have any other address 3 engines on the layout.
Still, more information is needed. Can your throttle read back the address?
Good Luck, Ed
My neighbor has a lot of problems with locos that either sit, make noise, and don't run, or just dont run at all. He brings them over to my house and they all run fine here.
Most of the time it is because he has it consisted with something else, has forgotten the loco number (decoder address) he gave it, or changed the loco number without knowing it. (Still haven't figured out how he manages that.)
What address are you using? What address did BLI set the loco to for their tests?
Are you using 28/128 speed steps?
Is this one of the locos that requires you to start it up first by using one of the function keys?
I'm not sure what you mean by "hissing". I can see where a steam loco might hiss. But I don't remember any hissing sound that would come from a diesel.
I have a Broadway E7 engine that hisses when you give it power. I have tried resetting it & everything else I could think of & nothing works. I sent it to Broadway & they charged a good amount and said it was fixed. I received the engine and the same old problem occurs. I sent it back & they said it runs fine on their test track. They sent it back to me,still not working. I use digitrax dcs51 for power,all my other engines of various makes with sound and dcc work fine. Any suggestions before I use this engine for target practice. I have a lot of money invested & dont want to put another decoder in,besides Broadway did that,thanks.