BLI M1b - stuttering and jerkiness

[mike_lawyer]

Hi guys -

A couple of years ago, I purchased a new Paragon 4 BLI M1.  I didn't have a layout at the time, so I just tested it then on DC to make sure it would turn on (it did).

Fast forward to today.  I finally completed my double mainline on the layout and got the engine out.  Running on straight DC, the locomotive will start up, but it is fairly herky-jerky and stuttering at lower speeds.  Once you get it running fairly fast, you don't notice it, but running at what I would consider a standard speed, it's noticeable.

Should I return the locomotive to BLI for repairs?  Does anyone have any ideas on possibly troubleshooting the problem?  I don't know if it is a problem with the drive train, motor, valve gear, or possibly the decoder.

[peteski]

First thing is to thoroughly clean the wheel treads (especially important if it was sitting unused for few years).  I like using the Minitirix brass brush wheel cleaner, along with other moist cleaning methods.  I'm assuming that the track is also freshly cleaned.  DC test is also good initial test.

[Cajonpassfan]

I bought one some time ago when they first came out for the mechanism for a "project". It was jerky, but it had nothing to do with the much maligned decoder. I found that of all the wheels available for pickup on the loco and tender, only a few delivered solid contact. Rather than messing with it, I sent it back for a refund.
You may want to turn her upside down in a foam cradle and check wheel pickup continuity. Cleaning the wheels first  is of course a necessity as noted above. Good luck,
Otto K.

[mike_lawyer]

I think I might send it to BLI for service.  It should be a smooth runner from what I can tell from reviews.

[peteski]

I think I might send it to BLI for service.  It should be a smooth runner from what I can tell from reviews.

It really wouldn't hurt to try wheel cleaning. If that's what it is, that would save you a lot of hassles.  When a model sits unused for couple of years, things can use cleaning.  Your problem description seems to indicate spotty electrical pickup.

[mike_lawyer]

As an update, I emailed BLI service. They said even though my loco is a few months beyond the warranty period, they will fix it for free.  So kudos to BLI, I was expecting to have to pay a fee for service.

[peteski]

As an update, I emailed BLI service. They said even though my loco is a few months beyond the warranty period, they will fix it for free.  So kudos to BLI, I was expecting to have to pay a fee for service.

Hopefully they will let you know what the problem was.  That would be helpful to know for future troubleshooting.  And I will say it again: cleaning the wheels would have been good thing to try.

[Cajonpassfan]

So Pete, do you think wheel cleaning is a good idea?
Otto

[peteski]

So Pete, do you think wheel cleaning is a good idea?
Otto

Yes, I think that as something that would have taken  just couple of minutes would have been really good idea.    Did I mention wheel cleaning? Advice was requested and offered.   I didn't realize Mike would punt so fast.   

[mmagliaro]

Far be it to stick my nose in, but in it goes.
The reason I agree with Peteski on the wheel cleaning is that it is a very simple, harmless thing to try.  And if it works,
then you save the hassle of packaging the whole thing up and sending it off.  And the cynical side of me says that
if wheel cleaning fixes it, you may avoid the possibility of getting the engine back with some other problem you didn't have before.
It does happen.
If it doesn't help, it costs you about 10 minutes to find that out and you can always send it to BLI.

[mike_lawyer]

Is there a good way to wheel clean other than using the minitrix wheel cleaner?  I have a ton of Micro brushes, if there is something I could apply to the wheels with the Microbrushes with the locomotive under power in an engine cradle, I would gladly try that first.

[oakcreekco]

Mike, I use a Qtip dipped in rubbing alcohol (91%).

Just my experience, but locos operate better the more they're run. Oxidation takes place on all contact areas during storage. Some brands are worse than others for storage corrosion.

Definitely worth a try. Could be some lubrication migration., could be some oxidation, could be a little of both.

Best of luck

[mmagliaro]

Yeah, I would go with the simple alcohol on a Q tip while it runs on its back.  The scratchy wheel cleaner might make marks that BLI could complain
about.  Although I doubt it.  I don't see how they could  say cleaning your wheels voided a warranty.

[mike_lawyer]

Yeah, I would go with the simple alcohol on a Q tip while it runs on its back.  The scratchy wheel cleaner might make marks that BLI could complain
about.  Although I doubt it.  I don't see how they could  say cleaning your wheels voided a warranty.

So I cleaned all the tender wheels and drivers with microbrushes and a Q-tip, but the problem still persists.  The jerkiness is like the slinky effect you can see on MTL cars.  The siderods and drivers don't move smoothly.

I tried just running it around the layout to see if it needed some break-in.  Every so often, the locomotive would just full out stop.  Might be a decoder issue or something. 

I think I will send it to BLI and see if they can fix it.

[mmagliaro]

So I cleaned all the tender wheels and drivers with microbrushes and a Q-tip, but the problem still persists.  The jerkiness is like the slinky effect you can see on MTL cars.  The siderods and drivers don't move smoothly.

I tried just running it around the layout to see if it needed some break-in.  Every so often, the locomotive would just full out stop.  Might be a decoder issue or something. 

I think I will send it to BLI and see if they can fix it.

I think you have now done everything reasonable you should try, and I agree with you that sending it back is the best option.