With split decoder these has always been issues with programming split decoders with sound and a second decoder to handle the motor drive. In the following article I will try to explain the best way to program, consist and reset you BlueLine decoder to factory defaults using the NCE PowerCAB or Pro DCC systems.

Download the Blueline manuals, if you have not, click here and download both from BLI web site.

Setting up a locomotive address.

With split decoders EACH decoder has to be addressed to set it address, the best way to handle this is to have both on the same address but there is a problem if you try to program an address with both decoders install only one will change and generally it the decoder with the highest power demand the sound decoder.

Firstly any of the CV's related to setting up the sounds are all at or above CV130 and these will not conflict with the NCE decoder which range from CV1 to 128, were the problem will arise is setting the short address cv1, the long address CV17/18 and the configuration CV 29. There are a other overlaps but these ones will cause problems

To allow you to point at which decoder that you want to talk to the BlueLine sound decoder and the NCE decoders support decoder locking using CV15/16, CV15 is a pointer to which decoder and CV16 is a unique identity for each of the decoder. The BlueLine manual cover this clearly under CV Programming and is located under the heading CV's. The Blueline decoder should have CV16 , its identity set with NO DECODER install and the DC plug removed.

Placing 0 [zero] in CV15 turns off decoder lock, set CV16 at 2 [two] as the sound decoders identity placing 2 in CV15 allows you to program the sound decoder for address, configuration etc. To access advanced consisting in future releases CV15 must be set to 0 [zero] all allow the decoder to be written to on the main, it is good practice to do this at the end of every programming secession.

The alternative method is to simply set the long address for the sound decoder [remember to remove the DC plug and reassign the light jumper] using programming on the main, then fit your selected decoder into a NCE DTK decoder tester and set its long address to match the sound decoders address, install the decoder and if the lights are not in synchronization with the direction reinstall the decoder into the DTK tester, reverse the light direction and then reinstall the decoder. You must remove the light jumper on the Blueline decoder to assign light control to the DCC decoder and this is covered in their manual.

Advanced Consists
Currently the Blueline will not accept an  advanced consist this is due to a problem in the Blueline decoder not the combination, this will be corrected in the future. The NCE Pro/PowerCab allow you to use an old style consist  [brute force] that accepts up to four locomotives consisted to the throttle that built it. t allows you to assign the lead locomotive and correct direction when building the consist, so it is the same as the advanced consist but you are limited to four locomotives and the address cannot be assigned from throttle to throttle.

To assign horn etc to the lead engine only access the “SET COMMAND STATION” setting in the system, hit “ENTER” to all the questions till you are asked “SEND FUNCTION TO CONSIST” the default is 1 [yes] set it to 0 [no] keep hitting enter till you exit to the command station screen, now only the lead locomotive will give a horn etc when a function button is activated.

We have tested this combination with a BLI / QSI and the AC6000 Blueline fitted with a N14ip and all preformed normally.