Has everyone been to BLI’s forum? I figure that’s the lst place you’ve all checked out but: There’s a guy there who used Digitrax decoders because the factory default CVs were the same as BLIs while others weren’t if I’m remembering correctly. He has several posts and seemed to be experienced with these problems. Hopefully his posts will be helpful? I have a Heavy Mikado which has the best sound I’ve heard yet. I’m ecstatic about it, but I haven’t had much of a chance to run it yet. So far if I don’t try to change any factory default setting’s it’s behaved…I’ll go do a search and add his screen name in an edit. Would you all let me know if he seems to make sense to you and if Digitrax would indeed seem to be a better choice than others for Bluelines? Edit: I believe the BLI forum member’s screen name is IRM Hogger. Maybe search his list of posts? Hopefully at least the BLI forum’s info. will help. Their stickies outline how to program the dual decoders with various brands of controllers. Thanks.
thanks for the info, I’ll check it out
I did get the RSD 15 the other day, and I must add it runs and sounds great.
Cuda Ken
I’ve got 5 Blueline and 4 of the Broadway Limited Paragon series diesel units. I use the Digitrax DZ143PS decoders in mine. I had some issues early on with dual decoder programming, locking etc. What I found was that if I use Page mode programming for the motor decoder and Direct mode programming for the sound decoder, I can avoid locking/unlocking the decoder. I have a Digitrax SC system that sets CV17, CV18 and CV29. The only thing I do for the address is set CV29=34 or 35. It took me a few hours and a lot of testing to arrive at this scheme but it works fine. I was able to set the address of both decoders via Ops mode programming on the main but I prefer not to use that approach.
The Blueline is more difficult to program. There are 2 decoders that must have the same address, or it will not work. Some things to remember:
- I know of no reason to ever use the CV15 and CV16 lock. I know of no reason to ever use the CV15 and CV16 lock. I know of no reason to ever use the CV15 and CV16 lock.
-With multiple decoders, I strongly recommend using OPS MODE PROGRAMMING ON THE MAIN TRACK. If you really want to use the program track, you MUST use DIRECT MODE. (Programming on the main will NOT reprogram all other engines on the track.)
-There is an instruction manual under the foam in the box.
-There are step by step programming instructions for the most popular DCC systems and a programming video at http://precisioncraftmodels.com/index.php?p=page&page_id=BlueLineDCCprog&CFID=10280464&CFTOKEN=31366494
Hope this helps.
Bob Grubba
I can understand your frustration. I was never happy with any multi decoder setup. Setting them up is a royal pain in the duckass!
However, once you have them setup, they are fine to use. And most BLI’s are quite sturdy, detailed nicely, track extremely well, and are weighted very nicely. I personally love my 3 C&O T-1’s, and 1 C&O E-7. I am currently in the process of gutting my two Blueline guts and replacing them with QSI Revolutions.
Now the following is just my opinion:
BLI was trying to maximize their profit and expand their market. Roughly 40->60% of market is still DC. (Depending on whom you ask.) Eliminating DCC motor control cuts cost for DC modelers, making the product more affordable.
BLI was also facing another problem. The leading sound solutions are Soundtraxx, QSI, and Loksound (MRC isn’t even in the same league) Look at what these decoders cost. They are more than $20. They are close to $100.00 each. That’s an $80 jump for sound. That’s a lot to swallow. If they could manufacture the sound themselves, then that would considerably lower the cost.
DCC motor control is actually pretty complex. PWM to the motor, as well as getting a good slow BEMF is critical these days. In some ways, this is as complex as good sound. So I imagine BLI first worked on sound half. Now that they are done working on the DCC motor control, they are including them in the Paragon 2 series.
If I read some post correctly, BLI might be canceling the Blue Line series and replacing it with Paragon 2 series. This really makes sense cost wise, now that they have motor control added back in.
This might explain all the “mega sales” on the bluelines lately. They are killing the old stuff before
As I understand it
Every once in a while, I run into very lengthy comments, like yours above, about problems with decoder programming . When I get to the end, I invariably say to myself “thank God that wasn’t me!” Then I start to think about why I EVER got involved with DCC, computers, and the infernal-net in the first place.
Back in the USAF, I used to be highly successful at repairing and tuning the strictly analog radio sets used in American aircraft. When I would complain about some trifle or other during my training in radio school (Biloxi AFB, Miss.), I would be told to go see the Chaplain to get my “T-S TICKET” punched.
Please don’t get me wrong! So far, you have demonstrated a fierce will to conquer DCC, no matter what or how long it takes. I am the last person on this benighted planet you will ever hear that phrase from - “get your T-S ticket punched!” You see, I now PHILOSOPHICALLY understand why this topic is so full of frustration and aggravation for so many.
My first decoder was an AD370 Sound Decoder from MRC, made in China, with only two speed steps. I bought two of these things way back in the stone age of DCC, at $39.99 each. I put one of them into a LifeLike E6, and to my surprise, it still works to this day. But like you, I do remember the endless series of “adventures” I had trying to change the address from 03 to 1003. What this taught me was that LSD (Lucifer, Satan, the Devil) had the upper hand at all times. I left the second AD370 in its box. In fact, I’m fearfully staring at it right now. What’s left of my souls is shrieking in terror that I’m even still in possession (or “possessed by”) decoder #2.
Sadly, the lesson was not yet complete because I tried other decoders. In fact I have a whole box full of these evil things. I’m seriously thinking of transferring them into a lead-lined container, and therein lies an incredible tale of woe. Yes, I actually tried the same thing you are
Perhaps after you read a thread, take note to the last post date. It turns out this thread died 5 years ago and the posters have moved on. Im not even sure they are still active on the hobby?
David B
Well, two of the aprticipants haven’t posted here in 2 years, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot. The others are still active here, and I’m pretty sure Bob Grubba still owns BLI. [:D]
Moral of the story: If you want sound, go DCC. Forget ‘workarounds’ or half measures. It just works better.
–Randy
I was wondering when someone would notice. The poster had five post so far. Does happen.
The original Rant was impressive, I guess.
Rich
I did notice the 2009 date of the original post when this thread was revived yesterday.
But, what i really noticed was the number of views back then, almost 11,000 !
Not too many threads get anywhere near that number of views today.
Maybe the Blueline issue was more critical back than when the dual decoder Blueline series was newer, or maybe there is just simply less interest and/or less forum members these days.
Rich