LifeLike BL-2 Conversion

Donstaff Jan 1, 2020

  1. Donstaff

    Donstaff TrainBoard Member

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    Has anyone done a dcc conversion on one of the N-scale second generation split frame LifeLike BL-2 locomotives? I found a short write-up with pictures that someone had done on one of the original BL-2 locos, but nothing on the latter release.
     
  2. Sharky_McSharknose

    Sharky_McSharknose TrainBoard Member

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    I added a TCS CN-GP decoder to my split-frame L-L B&M BL2, following the standard instructions on TCS's web site. I think the regular CN decoder might work too, but the CN-GP was what I had on hand.

    I did not modify the frame in any way, opting to lay the wires flat on top of the frame. With the shell on, the loco is running slightly noisier than before the DCC conversion. I think this is because the wires are physically transmitting vibrations to the shell. I doubt it's a mechanical or electrical problem since the loco runs nice and silent with the shell off. At some point I need to cut a wire channel with a Dremel or a file, to see if that quiets things down a bit.

    Other than the little extra noise, my BL2 runs great on DCC. It was a smooth and reliable runner beforehand and still is. They're neat locos, and I hope Atlas re-releases them soon with a DCC-ready frame.
     
    MK likes this.
  3. Donstaff

    Donstaff TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Sharky_McSharknose for that very helpful information. That clears up a lot of my questions. Do you have any pictures and did you have to splash solder on the board pads to get it to work properly?
    Don
     
  4. Sharky_McSharknose

    Sharky_McSharknose TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    Here you go. No solder required on the frame pads. Besides cutting a wire channel, I will also need to shorten the wires to the back a bit and hide the wires in the cab area.
     

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