Rapido GP9rm can I put a Bluenami decoder in it?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I am coming back after 20 years away, former DC N scale.

I’m going to do HO. I purchased a Rapido 41004 GP9rm (Silent DC Only) yesterday thinking I could get a bluenami decoder and install.

  • Was I wrong? Can I plug a Bluenami decoder into the 21 pin?
  • I thought it would have a speaker – I guess I’m wrong there and will need to add a speaker if I wish to have sound?

Any help is appreciated as I’m a little out of my element with wiring/electronics, etc.
Thank you in advance!

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You can plug any 21-pin decoder into the 21-pin receptacle and run the engine. However, the lighting effects etc. apparently are pre-mapped for ESU decoders. Just means if you install a Blunami, you will need to adjust some CVs to get all the lighting effects to work the way you want.

You would need to add a speaker / enclosure if there isn’t one.The literature that came with the engine (like an ‘exploded diagram’) should show where to attach it.

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Welcome aboard @ToddF

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5

Thanks for your info!

6

wjstix

You can plug any 21-pin decoder into the 21-pin receptacle and run the engine. However, the lighting effects etc. apparently are pre-mapped for ESU decoders. Just means if you install a Blunami, you will need to adjust some CVs to get all the lighting effects to work the way you want.

You would need to add a speaker / enclosure if there isn’t one.The literature that came with the engine (like an ‘exploded diagram’) should show where to attach it.

Actually, it means that some of the lighting functions may not work, period. Just a cautionary reminder about replacing ESU decoders on ESU motherboards with another brand decoder …

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