I recently purchased a DC master analog control module from BLI to operate the sounds on my BLI EMD SD40-2 engine. I connected the red wires from the module to the variable dc terminals on my Tech 4 220. Then I connected the black wires from the module to the track using track connectors with wires. When I press the bell button it comes on sometimes but will not go off. when I press the horn button it might come on once in a while and it doesn’t shut off either. Can anyone solve this problem for me ? Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Joe Voisin Sr
Is this the BLI or Blueline version of this loco?
David B
This is the Blueline model. Joe Voisin Sr
Blueline locos are flaky at best.
The only real way to get the most out of any sound locomotive is to invest in any DCC system. What you are trying to do is operate something on DC that is native to DCC.
David B
Hi Joe
Does your tech 4 put out pulsed DC or is it straight DC? Can you switch off momentum and brakeing control and try again?
Pete
I switched off momentum and brake but it didn’t change anything. I did notice that the bell and horn seemed to work much better in the block that I ran the wires to the track but in blocks that have no connection to the module don’t seem to work. I’m very confused to say the least. Not sure about pulse or straight dc.
You state you have blocks in your last post and in the first post you say you are using track connectors with wires. Are these connectors you speak of rail joinners with pre-soldered wires to them? Do you have isolating rail joinners on your layout for your blocks ?.
Yes I do have insulating rail joiners seperating my blocks, and I should have said I was using metal rail joiners with pre soldered wires to connect the module to the track. Sorry about that. Joe Voisin Sr
I wonder if that might be part of the issue, flaky connections to layout via pre-soldered rail joinner. Faulty connections can garble the DCC signal packets that the DCMaster sends out via the rails.