Strange issue with some new BDL168s

[Jamesn320]

Hi Guys,

I have a strange issue with some new BDL168s.  The layout wiring is fairly complex but to try and solve the problem I have broken it down to a few items and the problem is still there.  So simplified, I have a DCS51 plugged into the layout, trains run.  I have a BDL168, all connected except the Loconet cable.  As the train runs the lights on the test plug, plugged into the BDL, don’t light up.  When the Loconet cable is plugged in to both the DCS51 and the BDL168 the test plug on the BDL lights up where it is supposed to but the DS51 stops responding.  For example if the train was running when the Loconet cable was connected I could not stop the train.  If I remove the Loconet cable I can stop it.  I tried replacing the DCS51 with a DCS100 and a DT402 throttle and I had the same problem, with the loconet cable plugged in the DT402 will not respond.  What am I doing wrong?  Interestingly the lights on the actual BDL board blink correctly when the Loconet cable is connected but the light on my PR3 shows error?  (The full system has a PR3 in it to connect the PC).  I have also tried another BDL, I have 5 on the layout, they are all new and all do the same thing?

I have also checked the Loconet cable and tried different ones.

Any help would be appreciated.

-James

[John]

A couple of things -- my experience is that it's usually a loconet issue .. so I would suspect those first ..

1) if you have a quality crimper, make a couple new cables .. and make sure they are straight trough and not crossover ..

2) make sure you have the BDL168 grounded to the DCS .. thats a symptom of your little test plug not lighting up on the BDL ..

3) disconnect all the detection sections from the board -- if the problem goes away, then you have something miswired in your detection section

[Jamesn320]

Hi John,

A couple of things -- my experience is that it's usually a loconet issue .. so I would suspect those first ..

1) if you have a quality crimper, make a couple new cables .. and make sure they are straight trough and not crossover ..

I have tested the cables with a Loconet Cable checker, all okay.  I am now simply connection BDL directly to a command station, DSC51 or DSC100 with a digitrax loconet cable, still get the issue.

2) make sure you have the BDL168 grounded to the DCS .. thats a symptom of your little test plug not lighting up on the BDL ..

I have noticed I have the ground connected to pin 11 and pin M below, this could be the issue as you say?

3) disconnect all the detection sections from the board -- if the problem goes away, then you have something miswired in your detection section
I have a spare blue plug, I will start building a the connection up again and test it as I go this time.

Thanks for the advice. I will correct the ground wire connection and try again.

-James

[John]

good luck .. its usually something -- i just had a BDL go nuts because I miswired a UP .. so your best bet is to use standard troubleshooting .. divide the problem in to 1/2 chunks, test, go from there ..


Btw .. nothing should be connected to pin M

[Rich Businger]

You need a LocoNet connection for the BDL168 to operate correctly.

[Jamesn320]

Hi Guys,

All sorted.  It was the ground wire where I had soldered it to two pins not one.  Once I had cut through the link everything worked, Loconet Checker picked up on all 5 BDL boards and I was able to quickly renumber them.

-James