Union Pacific 4-12-2 Class 9000 pulling a string of PFE reefers. Testing BLI model after fixed by me
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- This is a typical love and hate relationship when you buy a BLI, Broadway Limited Imports products. I like the its Brass Hybrid line. This model and specifically the brass shell of boiler and tender is well made. However, still suffers of (completely?) lack of quality control during manufacture and very spotty electronics.
I got this model some time ago. It made all the sound noises BUT chuffing ones. I put in storage for a long time do lack of time due to busy work load.
A couple of months ago, I contact BLI repair dept and they offered to fix it for the flat fee of $129. I went back and investigated the issue again. Finally, I saw the cause of problem. The reed sensor PCB was completely misaligned with the travel path of little magnet embedded in the flywheel. The reed sensor PCB sits over the holding clip of gearbox. it was misaligned by 1.5 mm. A very silly problem or either design or simply no quality control. It was an easy fix. I just filed a bit of 2 holding nooks where the reed switch PCB for proper alignment.
But, this was not the end of chuff issues. I do not like the chuff sounds of this model. First, being a 3 cylinder, it should make 6 chuffs per one revolution, but actually makes 8 with sounds of 2 cylinder locomotive.
Next, I don't like the sound transitions thru various speed. They just sound disjointed. Low to cruise to high speed. It also missed chuffs when transitioning speed. Really terrible sound decoder for this model. I will very likely, replace the sound decoder for ESU Loksound in the future. For time being, I replaced the cheap and low quality BLI speakers for a TB module.
Nice layout mister! It's the BLI quality control and sound quality that keeps me from buying one. TCS sound would be better.
Impressive layout! Thank you for sharing.
Very very Nice Layout. Great Job 🤩
Very nicely done sir!!!!
I am very surprised with number of viewer in such short time since this video came out. I guess it has much to do because is a BLI product.
During next week I will post a video of Westside Models SP 4-10-2 which is also a 3 cyl locomotive. Cheers.
Do you have an updated video with the new decoder installed?
Could you also cause the bell to stop ringing continuously? It's a distraction and is not done on US railroads. Bravo on a superb layout and models!
There is an alternate bell on CV 223 which could be hand rung and you can adjust the ring rate on CV 180 in air rung bells are a common thing on the US railroads
yeah I had the same on my,
I adjusted mine on the bench put it for a Switch and Turn Trail on the Layout and 2 meter on the first switch set it started smoking,
sent back to BLI for Repairs , came back never touched it since then.
I Also wanted to change the decoder I think the American Decoder All sound terrible
it's theier sound Samples combined with bad speakers
althought the chief engeneer from Zimo told me the modules for the sound on those decoders are serious beefy the should do alot better job than what a Zimo decoder does,
but apparently they don't.
I've recently acquired an mth version, only as the bli models aren't readily available as such for us here (unless we pay half the value of one in shipping and import 😵)...
I do much prefer the look of the bli model, particularly the rigid chassis but the wheels and rod's just look so much better too.
I'm currently debating as to whether to lock the mth's artic chassis and deflange two driver's 🤔 but @ 500usd should i 😂
I debated myself when I choosing between BLI or MTH models. I think that the BLI model under Brass Hybrid line it is more accurate and better detailed.
However, does not have the Gresley valve mechanism that works like in the MTH and that is a minus.
The other less obvious problem with BLI model but bothers me some is that the BLI models runs 8 chuffs per one wheel revolution and not 6 as should be for 3 cylinder.
Why? The flywheel at motor has a single magnet imbedded in it this trigger a reed switch that will “time” chuff sounds to wheel revolution.
So, instead of writing a new sound decoder with 6 chuff per revolution, BLI is using regular decoder just doubling the number of chuffs per revolution. Does not sound as true 3 cylinder.
MTH uses an optical sensor and white painted flywheel with black stripes to mark the moment of chuff. So, there is more flexibility to time chuffs.
I agree with you that the articulated half of drivers in the MTH model is hideous.
Last, I decoder to by this used BLI model because it was cheap. However, when I received it wasn’t making any chuff sound. When I took it apart, I found out that the reed switch was misaligned with flywheel. Another proof that BLI products are not best designed and the lack of quality control is endemic for this manufacturer. Because I can fix locomotives, I was able to detect the problem and order $10 part. Otherwise, I would have to let BLI fix for $140. Even though it was obviously their fault.
@@truebras yes the working Gresley valve gear is a plus side of the MTH design but I totally agree that the bli is better in detail and accuracy particularly on the topside of the boiler and the chassis overall. I think I'll look out for one!