Has anybody had electric problem with this loco? Brand new right out of the box after less then 3/4’s of an hour of service pulling three cars, it gets hot on top of the hood between the stacks and melts the plastic and then shuts down the DCC system. You can smell that it’s hot just before melt down and it shuts down and dies. Item #3330 with Paragon2 sound, previously known as item P830. I know of three that have done this. Thank you in advance for your replys.
PC101,
Have you tried contacting BLI directly about this? I would write out the specifics for them in an email and send it to them. At a minimum it should include the following information:
- locomotive
- item #
- Where it was purchased*
- DCC system used
- Special wiring situations (e.g. power districts, reverse loops)
- Conditions which lead up to the meltdown
- Other “non-affect” locomotives on your layout
[**If you bought it from an LHS (local hobby shop) I would return it to them first for a refund/exchange. If you bought it online then I would ask BLI their recommendation.*]
BLI is usually very good about responding back within 24 hrs. The more pertinent informaton they can get from you; the better assessment they can make about why this may have happened.
I’ve had to send three BLI locomotives back for repair and each time I used the above method in contacting them. The repairs were made by BLI to all three and it didn’t cost me a dime.
Tom
Was this the PC SW1500 (judging by your handle)? I have one, but haven’t tried it out yet. If possible, please let me know, so I can call BLI in advance…
Thanks!
Neal M.
Try some aluminum foil either on top of the motor or “tack glued” to ceiling of the enclosure molding.
I returned it to the Dealer at the show the next day, they will send it to BLI and then forward it to me after it’s returned to the dealer, I’m sure the dealer will test it, hopefully more then an hour of run time. I trust this Dealer, they come highly recomended. The dealer tested and confurmed it’s dead DCC and DC. With this loco BLI #3330 (previously known as item:P830) EMD SW 1500 RDG #2761 w/paragon2, there was no hot smell or smoke. Digitrax DCC system, one power district, maybe six other locos idleing on the track at the time of the short/shutdown. Ran it on #3 and comfurmed operation, A-OK. Set up four digit address and checked
Hi Neal, as you may read above, it’s was the Reading SW 1500, it was three in a row that gave me trouble, and “Nobody, LHS or show vender/dealer knows of any other BLI’s SW 1500 with issues.” [:#]
I see them on other layouts and no issues there.
Hi Redvdub1, When it starts to smell like burning electronics and melts the top of the hood, I do not think tin foil will help much with this problem. I did record the hood temps. of the second unit. Plus I’d have to remove the shell from the frame, to try to correct a manufacturing defect.
PC101,
Check Your DCC voltage to track…it has to be pretty high in order to get enough current to melt the shell.
Just a thought!
Good Luck! [:D]
Frank
Track voltage is 15.7 volts shown by a RRAMP meter.
I have been using this Lenz DCC system since 1-15-2001 with internal factory upgrades over the years running 66+ different locos at different times in this time frame. Never has any other locos, Athearn/Genesis, Life Like/Proto 2000, Atlas, BLI, Bowser, Con Cor or Stewart, all with added by me or factory DCC boards and now added DCC w/sound and some with factory installed DCC w/sound had any issues. Just these three BLI Paragon2 RDG SW 1500’s.