BLI N Stealth board?

[spookshow]

I'm having a hard time figuring out just what sort of DCC interface BLI is using in their N scale "Stealth" locomotives. Looking at BLI's website, some say Next18, others say MTC21, and still others say nothing at all. Wouldn't you think they'd all be the same? I mean, it's only been a couple of years since they started coming out.

-Mark

P.S. Yes, I have sent an inquiry to BLI.

[peteski]

You can easily tell the difference between Nex18 and MTC21 connectors. MTC21 is much larger and different shape.

Next18



MTC21

[reinhardtjh]

I think the MTC21 for the diesels, at least, is a cut and paste typo from the HO version.  Due to the size, it's very unlikely a MTC21 will fit in the hood of most, perhaps of an F or E or other wide-body but,  hopefully BLI isn't that clueless to what is typical in N Scale. (Yeah, I know...)

[peteski]

I think the MTC21 for the diesels, at least, is a cut and paste typo from the HO version.  Due to the size, it's very unlikely a MTC21 will fit in the hood of most, perhaps of an F or E or other wide-body but,  hopefully BLI isn't that clueless to what is typical in N Scale. (Yeah, I know...)

Yes, MTC21 is too wide to fit in N scale narrow hood diesels.  I agree it is probbaly copy/past error made by their marketing/graphic-design people.

[Wolf N Works]

I can vouch for the Next18, just put two ESU nano Next18 into two BLI SD70ACe stealth models.

[spookshow]

Thanks, I have to assume that they're all Next18, but it would be nice if BLI were to confirm that (and clean up their website while they're at it).

-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

I have a fleet of DCC E units I would love to be able to turn into stealth versions. I am trying to decide if it worth asking BLI about.

[Wolf N Works]

I have a fleet of the SD70ACes and a few AC6000s
I asked the question if they had any of the stealth boards so I could convert. They said no. I did see the boards are the same size and layout, not sure if the wiring lays out the same even though they use the same connectors.
I told the them this was another area they dropped the ball on, at least in my opinion. Not having a conversion kit/route.

[spookshow]

BLI confirmed that N scale = Next18 and HO scale = MTC21.

-Mark

[CBQ Fan]

I have a fleet of the SD70ACes and a few AC6000s
I asked the question if they had any of the stealth boards so I could convert. They said no. I did see the boards are the same size and layout, not sure if the wiring lays out the same even though they use the same connectors.
I told the them this was another area they dropped the ball on, at least in my opinion. Not having a conversion kit/route.

I would agree.

[Englewood]

Stupid question....
If you have a BLI stealth SD70ACe and you want to convert to DCC you can't use the board in the stealth?

I haven't installed a decoder in a non-Kato loco in a few years, one reason being that there seems to be so many different connectors these days, but adding DCC to the fleet of ScaleTrains and BLI power is one of the things I want to focus on going forward.

[peteski]

Stupid question....
If you have a BLI stealth SD70ACe and you want to convert to DCC you can't use the board in the stealth?

BLI Stealth models serve 2 functions:

1.  To be able to sell straight DC models to modelers who do  not wish to have model with a factory installed DCC decoder. Stealth models are thus less expensive and they run better on DC since decoder-equipped models usually don't run well on DC layouts.

2. To allow for easy decoder install of non-BLI brand decoder for modelers who prefer other brands of DCC decoders.  Like more and more new models, the BLI Stealth "light board" has a standard decoder interface connector it (in this case Next18), with a "dummy" DC-board installed in it for pure DC operation. When someone wants to install a decoder, they simply remove the dummy Next18 (DC) board, and install any brand of a decoder they want, as long as that decoder has a Nex18 interface plug.  True plug-n-play DCC installation.

[CBQ Fan]

BLI Stealth models serve 2 functions:

1.  To be able to sell straight DC models to modelers who do  not wish to have model with a factory installed DCC decoder. Stealth models are thus less expensive and they run better on DC since decoder-equipped models usually don't run well on DC layouts.

2. To allow for easy decoder install of non-BLI brand decoder for modelers who prefer other brands of DCC decoders.  Like more and more new models, the BLI Stealth "light board" has a standard decoder interface connector it (in this case Next18), with a "dummy" DC-board installed in it for pure DC operation. When someone wants to install a decoder, they simply remove the dummy Next18 (DC) board, and install any brand of a decoder they want, as long as that decoder has a Nex18 interface plug.  True plug-n-play DCC installation.

So if BLI sold stealth boards would it be a simple plug and play on the prior DCC run f E units?  Or should I say plug and run since there is no sound.  😂

[peteski]

So if BLI sold stealth boards would it be a simple plug and play on the prior DCC run f E units?  Or should I say plug and run since there is no sound.  😂

I would imagine so (since I don't have any Stealth locos yet).  Unless they changed the pin-out of their Paragon decoder connectors at the time they also introduced the Stealth option, the connectors with the wiring harness going to the LEDs, motor, track power and speaker should be compatible with the Stealth PC boards.  But that's just my speculation.

[Wolf N Works]

So I did try and replace a P3 with a stealth board to see if it would work. Yea let’s just say it doesn’t, to me this is just a big miss on their side. I have not gotten back to it after frying some LEDs.  The DC board worked ok, the LEDs were on and the loco ran. When I put in the ESU decoder and tested the LEDs started flickering and we’re gone before I could get the track power off (this was performed with the esu programmer)