drh
sledgehammer wrote:On my QSI equiped atlas I had to program the short address first than I hade to program the long address after. I got a quick set up book with mine which told me what cv to change to get the long adress to work and to get my road number as my long adress. The atlas had a different method for each different long adress there was.
On my QSI equiped atlas I had to program the short address first than I hade to program the long address after. I got a quick set up book with mine which told me what cv to change to get the long adress to work and to get my road number as my long adress. The atlas had a different method for each different long adress there was.
The procedure is exactly the same for any long address value, it's just the numebrs you putin are different. It's the same indexed CVs that get used each time. And that same procedure would work on any QSI decoder. Atlas is just nice and gives the actual values for all the road numbers they make for that particular locomotive, rather than just the formula and a single example.
You shouldn;t have to change the short address first. But you do have to SELECT the current short address to be able to program on the main, as the program commands are only directed to the selected address. Changing it from the default of 3 might not be a bad idea, just in case you have other locos with the default address of 3 sitting on the track at the same time, but there's nothing in the QSI design that would require soemthing like this. I suppose it coud be a quirk of soem DCC system that it wouldn;t allow ops mode programmign on address 3 for some silly reason, but not that I know of.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
sledgehammer wrote: On my QSI equiped atlas I had to program the short address first than I hade to program the long address after. I got a quick set up book with mine which told me what cv to change to get the long adress to work and to get my road number as my long adress. The atlas had a different method for each different long adress there was.
I don't see how this can be. The QSI's are alll from the one factory and are only configured to provide what QSI feels is a reasonable approximation of the sound for that prototype. As far as programming is concerned, they should all be programmed the way the your DCC system says they are to be programmed, or default to the manual for the particular decoder. I don't pay attentiont to the meagre information that BLI incorporates into their locos' manuals.
My long address programming is simple. On a separate track, enter programming mode in Paged, dial CV 1 for address, enable long address input ( a necessary step for my Super Empire Builder) using the manual for the DCC controller as a guide, input the address, input to CV 29 a value of 38, exit programming, place loco on the layout, power up, dial in the new address, engage the throttle to be active for that number, and away you go.
The loco should make sounds as soon as you restore power, but it may not. Some QSI's for an odd reason will remain inactive until you actually acquire them on your throttle. But, when you do, they will jump to life and do as you direct them to.
rrinker wrote: >>>>snip >>>> Plus if you enable the verbal response the loco will speak the CV values as you program them. >>>snip<<<< --Randy
>>>>snip >>>>
Plus if you enable the verbal response the loco will speak the CV values as you program them.
>>>snip<<<<
If the PE has programming on the main, try doing that. In the big QSI manual there is an example showing how to set the address using the indexed CVs, it's near the front, before the big list of all the CVs. Be familiar with how to set CVs on the controller, and read through the procedure. It sounds way more complicated than it is, because you have to set several CVs in sequence. Some systems can handle the QSI decoders ont he program track, and some need a booster. I think all that support programming on the main can program them in that fashion. Plus if you enable the verbal response the loco will speak the CV values as you program them.
If the loco functions properly other than being able to program the address, it's not likely that the decoder is defective.
The problem is probably with the MRC Prodigy Express. Some DCC systems require a special power booster in order to program QSI sound decoders.
If you know someone who has an EasyDCC, NCE ProCab, or something other than the Prodigy Express, ask them to program the engine for you. If you have a local hobby shop that sells DCC systems, they may be able to help you.
Perhaps the Prodigy Express is changing the address in the decoder, but you must also change the value that is in CV29 or your system thinks it's still set for only a short address. Program a value of 38 into CV29 and see if the engine will then run on the long address.
aprincers wrote:I have BLI engines. I have not been able to program the decoders to the engine numbers. I have tried on the program track (always reports entries "sent") or the main track (never reports entries "sent"). I have even downloaded and printed the 182-page BLI "NMRA DCC Reference Manual for QSI Quantum HO Equipped Locomotives", which tells me how to use a calculator to program the right engine info. It can't be that difficult. I have yet to see any advantages to DCC.
Hopefully someone will respond soon with the correct answer.
All I can say is I love DCC since I switched over a few months ago. Unfortunatley my DCC system and engines don't match yours. (NCE Power Cab) using NCE decoders and soundtraxx decoders. Every engine but a BLI. I have had nothing but success?
Hang on, I'm sure you'll get the right answer soon.......