Intermountain F unit QSI Sound DCC Programming questions.

[nscaler711]

A few months ago i bought a Intermountain F3A GM&O 808A w/DCC and Sound.
I Must be lost or stupid because I guess i don't know how to program the long address for it,
i have a MRC Prodigy Advance (a little out dated i know..) and i'm still confused. the manual tells me to program CVs 49, 50, 56 for CVs 17, 18.
I know that most case  scenarios is you program CV 29 bit 5 to its value. then you set up cv 17 and 18 to their respective values also.
Seeing as how i already messed that up with a Soundtraxx TSU AT1000 and had to RESET it, as in you select Loco 00 and follow the manufactures reset decoder guidelines (Warning! if you have other locomotives on your track it may reset them too) 

Maybe i just need help learning how to program DCC Decoders, because i really dont like having to reset one if i mess up,

Any tips?  

[rrinker]

 QSI decoders have more than 255 CVs so they use indexing to allow access to all of them, the index is set with CV49 and CV50 to point to the various groups of CVs, so just follow the instructions and set each CV in order. If you need a calculator to get the values for CV17 and CV18, here's one:

http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm

You set CV17 and CV18 (or equivalent) FIRST, then CV29 - that's probably where you went wrong with the Tsunami.

Shouldn;t be different, my Atlas Trainmaster with QSI programmed just fine on my Digitrax system using the normal way of setting an address, where I just keyed in the address I desired and then confirmed it, and it set CV17, CV18, and CV29 to the required values without resorting to individual CV programming. Have you tried doing that?

                         --Randy

 

[cacole]

Your best option would be to download the QSI Technical Reference Manual from their web site for the particular version of decoder that you have.

[Train Modeler]

QSI deocders are a little tricky, for example using decoder pro, I have to turn the acknowledgement off.  They are indexed CVs using 2 levels and then a 3rd value for the setting.  Read and study the manuals if you don't have decoder pro.  

To me, QSI has two good qualities, 1. the horn sound, 2. many function outputs.   

Richard

[nscaler711]

-Randy, thanks for the site and the tip I am easily confused about the first CV 17,18 Then CV 29. That unit with the tsunami did nothing till I reset the decoder.my athearn p42 has the same tsunami but I didn't have to program a long address.

I might as well save myself the trouble and buy Soundtraxx tsunami's as to me they are a lot easier to understand and program, you know minus the cv 17,18,29 part. ;)
Maybe what I'll do is replace the qsi that came with the e unit with a soundtraxx I know one that will drop right in, and sound better.

-cacole and train modeler, I have the manual that came with the loco, it is very vague on how to do everything I need too... And horn selection sucks on this decoder... It has one horn... The soundtraxx At1000 has 15, also the manual is 63 pages long and goes in depth into programming not to mention has wity bits of humour thrown in the mix. My QSI manual is 23 pages and like I said its very vague on everything. Ive tried looking it up but I cannot find the specific decoder for the locomotive.

I'm so glad this evo has swype built in this would have taken forever too type on screen.

[Train Modeler]

The QSI decoders have one horn option as you point out, my thing is that that one is normally pretty good.  

Having said that, I replaced all but 2 of my QSI decoders (both OEM and those I installed) with Tsunami's.   I like the F11 braking with Tsunami's which aren't apparent on OEM decoders, but can be configured.  Lots of other reasons too like the prime mover sound.  

Regardless of the decoder, you may want to consider getting Decoder Pro--it's freeware and makes life a lot easier.

BTW, on my Digitrax system even without decoder pro, it's easy to do 4 digit addressing.  They build it into the DT400 type throttles.  

Richard

[DigitalGriffin]

That's one thing I didn't like about the Tsunami's was the braking functiong being F11.  It means I have to double check my throttle for which Function block it's in F0->F9 F10->F19 and F20->F28 and then hit the 1 key.  As I can't reassign the braking function to < F10, it's really a no go for me.  If I have to stop in an emergency, that's the last thing I want to do.

The QSI's made the brake function easier and placing it in the main (F0->F9) function group.  I don't have to sit there and "hunt" for the brake button.  I mean would you want your emergency handbrake sitting in the rear seat of your car?

[Train Modeler]

DigitalGriffin

 As I can't reassign the braking function to < F10, it's really a no go for me. 

Why can't you reassign?   I do all the time.  

I  have considered reassigning it to another function I don't use much, but more people seem to be used to it as F11 and F11 on our throttles is easy to get to.  I may still reassign, after speaking with other operators.     You also set it to increase or decrease braking delay to varying amounts.

Richard

[nscaler711]

Train Modeler

DigitalGriffin

 As I can't reassign the braking function to < F10, it's really a no go for me. 

Why can't you reassign?   I do all the time.  

I  have considered reassigning it to another function I don't use much, but more people seem to be used to it as F11 and F11 on our throttles is easy to get to.  I may still reassign, after speaking with other operators.     You also set it to increase or decrease braking delay to varying amounts.

Richard

I dont know about most DCC throttles, but my Prodigy has a big red STOP button on it.
Function 11 is nice however, great for Passenger trains, you can hit F11 to slow the train, and have squealing brake sounds, and when you hit it again it slowly accelerates back up to speed.



-To all,
I appreciate your help.
i got my Intermountain F3's Long Address put in so it no responds to 808..
as for the Tsunami.... i have to figure out how to redo its short address.... its not responding to 66...
its got stuck on 3

any advice? or anyone else have this same problem with tsunami's not changing the short address?

 

[DigitalGriffin]

Train Modeler

DigitalGriffin

 As I can't reassign the braking function to < F10, it's really a no go for me. 

Why can't you reassign?   I do all the time.  

I  have considered reassigning it to another function I don't use much, but more people seem to be used to it as F11 and F11 on our throttles is easy to get to.  I may still reassign, after speaking with other operators.     You also set it to increase or decrease braking delay to varying amounts.

Richard

The QSI has adjustable braking rates also and you can assign the brake key to the first ten function keys.  So if you're operating the bell or whistle, you don't have to hit two button presses on the throttle to get to it.