BLI F3 and F7

[spookshow]

FYI, I was able to run my BLI AC6000 around for about 8 hours without incident. So, whatever issues there may or may not be between my Lenz system and Paragon3 decoders, it's not all Paragon3 decoders. I suppose it might could be that something changed between 2017 (when the AC6000's were made) and 2018 (when the F3's and E6's were made) but that's a mystery for someone else to unravel. I'm returning mine while the returning is good.

-Mark

[peteski]

Do they also use that thermal insulating blanket (bubble wrap) around the decoder in the AC6000? 

[spookshow]

AC6000 does not have it -



ES44 and E6 do -





FYI, it's not "around" the decoder - it just sits on top (between the decoder and the antenna).

-Mark

[MK]

I've never seen bubble wrap used that way.  Why did they wrap the electronics with it?  Makes no sense.  If it's to prevent shorts, why not Kapton tape?

[spookshow]

Maybe it's to protect the delicate components on the decoder board from that big heavy wire when the shell squishes down on it?

-Mark

[drbnc]

Well. Just got a response from BLI:

"Contrary to what you might have read on the internet - there is not a tooling issue with the gears, I just looked at a complete truck inside and out. We leave side-to-side play on the shoulders so the model can negotiate curves, but even at the most extreme scenario (shoving one gear all the way to one side and shoving the other all the way to the other side) there is still 50 percent or more of the width of the teeth meshing.

"We have not had a single call or Email about this to date, but if you'd like to send one or both of your models in for us to examine the gears under warranty we would be happy to do that."

[DKS]

Yikes, that looks like potential trouble right there, if they happened to be less careful about the placement of their adhesive tape... 

[learmoia]

Well. Just got a response from BLI:

"Contrary to what you might have read on the internet - there is not a tooling issue with the gears, I just looked at a complete truck inside and out. We leave side-to-side play on the shoulders so the model can negotiate curves, but even at the most extreme scenario (shoving one gear all the way to one side and shoving the other all the way to the other side) there is still 50 percent or more of the width of the teeth meshing.

"We have not had a single call or Email about this to date, but if you'd like to send one or both of your models in for us to examine the gears under warranty we would be happy to do that."

WTF.. we really need to worry about curves on a 45' 4 axle locomotive...    It reminds me of the sold stock car.. for a speaker enclosure, and you open it up to find.. ANOTHER SPEAKER ENCLOSURE..

My model doesn't work and the gearing barely matches up in the truck
BLI: (without any picturds or inspection).. there is nothing wring with your model, we designed it like that...
 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well. Just got a response from BLI:

"Contrary to what you might have read on the internet - there is not a tooling issue with the gears, I just looked at a complete truck inside and out. We leave side-to-side play on the shoulders so the model can negotiate curves, but even at the most extreme scenario (shoving one gear all the way to one side and shoving the other all the way to the other side) there is still 50 percent or more of the width of the teeth meshing.

"We have not had a single call or Email about this to date, but if you'd like to send one or both of your models in for us to examine the gears under warranty we would be happy to do that."

Ok, I generally am a believe in giving manufacturers the benefit of the doubt, but that's some BS.

It's a demonstrated problem. Putting their head in the sand does them no favors.

[drbnc]

Maybe "I'm holding it wrong!".  Obtuse iPhone reference.  I am moving ahead with my own mods - weight, thrust washers, proper wheel gauging, proper lube.  Kato, FVM, ScaleTrains and Intermountain from now on.

[Point353]

We leave side-to-side play on the shoulders so the model can negotiate curves, ...

Isn't that why the trucks pivot?

[coosvalley]

From their facebook page:

"We're so excited to share that our newly tooled N scale Paragon3 EMD F3 and F7 units are being customs cleared in California and will be en route to dealers shortly! These are the finest N scale diesels to hit the market yet  and they are equipped with the most sophisticated and capable sound and control system in the world - Paragon3 with Rolling Thunder TM!"

[Chris333]

So why don't they put a smart phone port on them so I can bump my MP3 tunes using my new F3 speakers 

[wazzou]

So why don't they put a smart phone port on them so I can bump my MP3 tunes using my new F3 speakers 

Lol. 
You can buy a good Bluetooth Speaker for much less than one of those steaming yard loaves.

[mmagliaro]

The wheelsets do need to be able to slide side to side a little to negotiate curves.  The idler gears do not, and could easily be made a little wider so that there is 100% tooth engagement even when the wheelset axles slide a little.

As for "getting no calls", I'm afraid I don't believe this.   Maybe nobody called and said, "What's wrong with these gears?"  But since they already have refurbs for sale, people are calling or going to their LHS and saying, "This doesn't work.  I want my money back."

If you could measure the number of teeth and diameter of that idler gear, and the diameter of the idler gear's axle (all with a caliper so your close), you can order dead-on replacements that would be wider than that gear and eliminate the problem.  I use two sources in Poland that have really nice gears and they are not expensive.