Running a Proto 2000 w/DCC and Quantum sound on DC

[Mister Mikado]

Hi all, I need help.  Got a proto 2000 E8 with dcc and quantum sound with no instructions, but only want to run it on DC only.  Anything I have do to before applying power to it?  I couldn't find the instructions online.  Thank you!

[mobilman44]

Assuming it has no problem, it should be set to go on ID # 3.   If it was previously owned/used, they may have changed the ID number.  If it doesn't work on "3", then I would program it to whatever number you wish.

[Mister Mikado]

thanks mobilman, but I don't own any dcc controllers so how do I know what the id is set for or how to change it?  I guess I want to know if putting DC to it will harm it. It's the p2k 920 series.

[peahrens]

From your 2nd post I infer you may want to run it on DC (vs. DCC stated above)??

[CNCharlie]

I have a PK2 SW8 that has factory Quantum Sound by QSI that I  bought in early 2007.  I checked the manual and it can be run on DC. There is a reed switch somewhere on the loco so you can control the volume if you have the little metal bar to do so. You probably can find instructions on line. 

CN Charlie

[Mister Mikado]

Yes Paul I meant DC only, my first post is corrected.  Update: I ran the loco on a dc track nothing happened until throttle was halfway up heard engine sounds but no motor action. i have no way to program this unit. what is the small rheostat at the end of the board? Can anyone Email me a copy of their p2k qsi/dc instructions? I asked Walthers but they must be closed weekends.

[peahrens]

Mr. M,

I have a 2004 LifeLike P2K that has a QSI Quantum Sound & Control manual.  I don't know if that would help you as I don't know if you have a pre-Walthers LL, a Walthers era LL, or a later Walthers (not LL) Proto.  Anyway, I scanned my manual (good news) but it is too large a pdf to send by Gmail (bad news).  If you want me to get it to you, I could scan again into two smaller parts and send it to you Sunday, if I can figure out how.  

a) I don't know if I can PM you through the forum Communications method and add an attachment.  (I have rarely done the PM thing.)

b) If you want it sent, perhaps you can PM me and just advise me of your email and I can simply send it to you from my regular email.  (I know I can do that).  Please let me know here by reply if you PM me as I don't think I would get "notified", so I will have to look.

On why the loco will not run, I do wonder if someone may have changed decoder CV29, which I recall can be set to turn off DC ("analog") operation, which can prevent runaways in DCC operation IIRC.  Anyway, perhaps your loco has analog turned off, and needs a reset, which I presume needs a DCC track to reset it.  This is over my head.  

I am basically unfamiliar with the QSI that came in my E6 as I swapped to a LokSound decoder for several reasons. 

 

[Mister Mikado]

Paul you are noble and kind to scan that for me. Thanks for offering to send it but I already removed the board and speakers having no way to program it. I wired the motor straight to the pickups and she runs great like the dc locos i am used to. Btw the screws to disassemble the chassis were under the speakers. Now i have figure out how to wire the headlight without smoking it. Thanks to you and everybody for the help!

[rrinker]

 This is unfortunately the case for any sound loco running on DC, unless you don't mind it running half the time with no sound and other times with sound, depending on how fast you are going. The sound electronics need a minimum voltage to actually work, so the sound decoders are set to allow that level to be reached before the motor starts turning.

 If you want to experience sound locos, but mostly run DC, one of the MRC dual mode powerpacks might be an option. They run both DC and DCC locos, each thr proper way - so when you run your DC locos they get normal DC power like your existing power pack and when you run a DCC loco, you have full control of all the DCC functions it has.

                                --Randy