Your test seems to verify a conclusion I reached last year when stress-testing my MTH Little Joes and my BLI 4-8-4, they demand more power than a typical DCC layout can provide. It is important for collectors to note, both MTH amd BLI stated their electronics are not DCC but are DCC compatible. Its really too bad they are outshined by superior Tsunami and ESU sound systems which provide a better experience wothout the power drawback.
This is a noteworthy video for anyone running or planning a DCC layout with MTH or Broadway Limited engines, esp. steam! A lot of us need to re-think amperage needs in HO due to pulling loads and grades. Complaints about BLI/MTH factory-supplied decoders may just be lack of power. Thanks much for this very enlightening test!
I have never had a BLI or MTH decoder fail... but I had always noticed that they did not play well with other decoders. So far I am finding that I can run BLI, MTH, Soundtraxx, and ESU loksound (ScaleTrains) at the same time with no conflicts. This is a breath of new air and opens the door for so much more fun in operation! Neil
My normal operating speed for my trains is in the range of 20-40 SMPH so I had not noticed performance issues. But every time I ran my MTH GS4s of which I have 3 in Daylight and one in Freedom Train I encountered issues on my 4th of July Freedom train display and Every Halloween I tried to run the Daylights with even worse performance due to the lighted passenger cars. It Finally dawned on me to try my other power systems (PFM Sound II, MTH DCS, MTH Straight DC, and an very old MRC Gold Power Pack) and all the issues went away!!! It only took about 6 years of me putting up with this issue to identify the issue as a power problem. I even bought a new NCE 2 amp wall wart and it made NO improvement. As soon as I installed the NCE SB5 Smart Booster all issues were resolved!!! What A relief! Thanks for your comments! Neil
Good demo. I also added the SB5 and observed the same improvements.
Good to know, wish I had figured it out sooner. Neil
Your test seems to verify a conclusion I reached last year when stress-testing my MTH Little Joes and my BLI 4-8-4, they demand more power than a typical DCC layout can provide.
It is important for collectors to note, both MTH amd BLI stated their electronics are not DCC but are DCC compatible. Its really too bad they are outshined by superior Tsunami and ESU sound systems which provide a better experience wothout the power drawback.
Thank You for sharing your thoughts! Neil
This is a noteworthy video for anyone running or planning a DCC layout with MTH or Broadway Limited engines, esp. steam! A lot of us need to re-think amperage needs in HO due to pulling loads and grades. Complaints about BLI/MTH factory-supplied decoders may just be lack of power. Thanks much for this very enlightening test!
I have never had a BLI or MTH decoder fail... but I had always noticed that they did not play well with other decoders. So far I am finding that I can run BLI, MTH, Soundtraxx, and ESU loksound (ScaleTrains) at the same time with no conflicts. This is a breath of new air and opens the door for so much more fun in operation! Neil
Yeap stopped running 2 amp systems a couple years ago. My BLI and MTH locos are much happier with 5 amp systems set at about 15 volts.
My normal operating speed for my trains is in the range of 20-40 SMPH so I had not noticed performance issues. But every time I ran my MTH GS4s of which I have 3 in Daylight and one in Freedom Train I encountered issues on my 4th of July Freedom train display and Every Halloween I tried to run the Daylights with even worse performance due to the lighted passenger cars. It Finally dawned on me to try my other power systems (PFM Sound II, MTH DCS, MTH Straight DC, and an very old MRC Gold Power Pack) and all the issues went away!!! It only took about 6 years of me putting up with this issue to identify the issue as a power problem. I even bought a new NCE 2 amp wall wart and it made NO improvement. As soon as I installed the NCE SB5 Smart Booster all issues were resolved!!! What A relief! Thanks for your comments! Neil
@@NeilADahl Yeah without the SB5s I could only run one BLI loco with a consist of BLI passenger cars. LOL
@@MikesProjectsandHobbiesMC There is no doubt the passenger cars amplify the issue. Neil