New BLI Challenger

[reinhardtjh]

Mine arrived today.  I've just taken a quick look at it.  Overall it looks nice.  But I'm no expert on UP steam.  I did note the drivers were solid with a plastic see-through  insert for the driver wheel.  @peteski  would probably not approve.  It does look somewhat see-through though due to the insert being fairly deep.  I haven't run it yet and it will be a while as the test layout is in pieces.  Maybe by this summer.  I have a test stand I will probably try it on soon but that isn't a great overall test.  Just useful for decoder installation and testing.

It is the stealth version but I haven't opened up the tender to see what's there, but I expect a main board with a dummy Next18 insert and no capacitors.

[peteski]

Mine arrived today.  I've just taken a quick look at it.  Overall it looks nice.  But I'm no expert on UP steam.  I did note the drivers were solid with a plastic see-through  insert for the driver wheel.  @peteski  would probably not approve.  It does look somewhat see-through though due to the insert being fairly deep.  I haven't run it yet and it will be a while as the test layout is in pieces.  Maybe by this summer.  I have a test stand I will probably try it on soon but that isn't a great overall test.  Just useful for decoder installation and testing.

It is the stealth version but I haven't opened up the tender to see what's there, but I expect a main board with a dummy Next21 insert and no capacitors.

I thought all N scale Stealth boards used Next18 interface.

And yes, to me there are no good excuses for models made in the 2nd decade of the 21st Century not to have see-though spoked drivers. Come on, even early Arnold models back in the '60s had see through spokes.  I guess I am spoiled by all the European N scale steam models.  It does make big difference visually. Evan the way Kato and some of the other BLI locos handled this (think Kato Mikado, GS-4 and others, and BLI PRR T1) using see-through plastic center inserts in partially opened  metal wheel backs).  There should be no reason to go back to toylike solid drivers.

[wmcbride]

Good to know that "peteski's intelligence" is as smart as Artificial Intelligence. I think . . . 

HaHa! I trust you 2000x more than the AI...

[reinhardtjh]

I thought all N scale Stealth boards used Next18 interface.

Yeah, I made a typo.  It's fixed now, thanks.

And yes, to me there are no good excuses for models made in the 2nd decade of the 21st Century not to have see-though spoked drivers. Come on, even early Arnold models back in the '60s had see through spokes.  I guess I am spoiled by all the European N scale steam models.  It does make big difference visually. Evan the way Kato and some of the other BLI locos handled this (think Kato Mikado, GS-4 and others, and BLI PRR T1) using see-through plastic center inserts in partially opened  metal wheel backs).  There should be no reason to go back to toylike solid drivers.

I know...   

[spookshow]

So, here is the decoder. Is the row of 6 tan doodads the keep-alive?



On an unrelated note, I think BLI should get some sort of medal of honor for their detailed shell removal instructions. I wouldn't have mangled nearly so many locos over the years if they all came with this sort of info!



-Mark

[dem34]

I do appreciate as well that BLI is fairly consistent between most of their models in both HO and N have very similar screw patterns for shell removal.

[peteski]

So, here is the decoder. Is the row of 6 tan doodads the keep-alive?


-Mark

Yes, those are MLCCs  (Multi-Layer Caramic Capacitors). Each is likely 47µF, for a total 282µF. Not all that much.  ESU and other manufacturers uses similar capactiors on their sound decoders. I don't think those alone are the reason those decoders seem more reliable and less affected by short power dropouts.  BLI might have "updated" their decoder's firmware. Just a guess.

[skeeter1024]

Stealth Challengers are NEXT18 Interface.  Was a snug fit with the Tsunami decoder.

[peteski]

Since we discussed the seemingly better Paragon 4 reliability over the older Paragon decoders, I dug up a related thread:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56637.0
Paragon 4 is on the left, and Paragon 3 on the right. One extra cap on P4.



I really doubt that change alone made all the difference.

As for Paragon decoders being excellent decoders . . .  here's a thread which was giving them away free but seemingly with no takers.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=59491.0
For  full disclosure I did fine another thread where someone bought GM50 4164's Paragon 4 decoder to replace their Paragon 3.

[spookshow]

Mine is a bit of a mystery to me as far as why it runs so flawlessly. Only 4 of the 6 drivers provide pickup, and then only 5 of the tender wheels (2 on the left and 3 on the right). I mean, it's not nothin', but it's not all hands on deck either. If the keep-alive isn't particularly robust, I would've expected some complaints about my dirty track. A typical BLI diesel probably would've stalled out the minute it started spinning its motor.

-Mark

[spookshow]

My model came with an optional tender top (one that's sort of ribbed looking, as opposed to the smooth one that came installed on the model). Can anyone explain to me what these two different parts represent (prototypically speaking)? I didn't see any mention of it on the BLI website, unless one is supposed to be for the coal version and other for oil?

Thanks!
-Mark

[pmpexpress]

My model came with an optional tender top (one that's sort of ribbed looking, as opposed to the smooth one that came installed on the model). Can anyone explain to me what these two different parts represent (prototypically speaking)? I didn't see any mention of it on the BLI website, unless one is supposed to be for the coal version and other for oil?

Thanks!
-Mark

If you purchased one of the oil fired models, two different bunker top arrangements were released.

One of the bunker tops was specifically designed for the 3985 Excursion Challenger.

In addition, according to the information that is listed on the BLI website, tailored to match the five classes of Union Pacific Challengers, either a 25-C-100 or a 25-C-400 coal tender was fitted to the models.

Regarding the prototype details, that would be Bob Gilmore's (robert3985's) forte.

[spookshow]

I have an excursion 3985 and the installed tender top deck is smooth. The ala carte replacement deck is ribbed, but I still don't what that represents.

-Mark

[spookshow]

Oh lordy lou, axle wipers! And they're already getting dirty



-Mark

[Mark5]

Oh lordy lou, axle wipers! And they're already getting dirty

How nostalgic!