Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Resetting a BLI QSI decoder and down loadable QSI CV's

5123 views
24 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Resetting a BLI QSI decoder and down loadable QSI CV's
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 6:43 PM

 Few months ago my BLI Heavy Mike stopped running. It is a older Power Pull or something like that BLI, not the newer Heavy Mike. I added it to my to do list and tonight tried to do, but it won't.

 I pulled the tender shell and pull the jumper while with DCC power to the rails, nothing. I sat CV 8 to 8 with and with out the jumper, still nothing. I used PH mode with my SEB Digitrax. SEB was not hooked to the main bench. Engine was not hooked to the tender, never was a problem with my other BLI's.

 What am I missing? My booklet for this and my other BLI engines where stolen while in my first train tool box a few years ago from my car. Bet the theft was PO when they opened the box and saw HO train wheels and couplers!Big Smile

 Where can I find the site that will have QSI CV's?

                Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 6:51 PM

 QSI has the full manual on their web site, http://www.qsindustries.com/

 I'm pretty sure if it has the reset jumper you turn the power off, pull the jumper, apply power - it should make noise - then remove power and reinstall the jumper. It should now be on address 3 with everything reset.

 

                           --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 7:25 PM

 Thanks Randy, I will give it a try. Thanks for the link as well!

 Your friend Ken

        

I hate Rust

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 10:32 PM

Ken,

While CV8 = 8 is the most common reset input, the reset for a QSI decoder is the following:

  • CV49 = 128
  • CV50 = 256 255
  • CV56 = 113

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,877 posts
Posted by maxman on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 11:27 PM

BLI also has a bunch of different documentation at their website, including exploded views of the engines and QSI manuals.

http://www.broadway-limited.com/supportdocumentation.aspx

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Saturday, July 11, 2009 10:20 PM

tstage
  • CV49 = 128
  • CV50 = 256 255
  • CV56 = 113

 Tom do I reset all 3 of the codes and if so in this order? 

 Sorry I have not thank you for kind replies and links sooner. I have been working 6 days a week 68 hours each and pretty wiped out.

                          Worn out Ken

I hate Rust

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:38 PM

cudaken

tstage
  • CV49 = 128
  • CV50 = 256 255
  • CV56 = 113

Tom do I reset all 3 of the codes and if so in this order?

Ken,

Yes, you have to set all three CVs and in the above sequence.  CV49 is the primary index; CV50 the secondary index.  You have to set CVs 49 and 50 first BEFORE setting CV56.  Otherwise, the decoder will NOT reset.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, July 13, 2009 5:36 PM

 Tom, are you sure CV 50 should be 256? Seems my DT 400 only goes up to 255?

 

         Ken

I hate Rust

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, July 13, 2009 8:10 PM

Oops! Blush  Yes, Ken, you want 255.  Sorry about that.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Monday, July 13, 2009 8:41 PM

 I tried 255 and still did not reset?

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, July 13, 2009 9:17 PM

 The firmware in the QSI decoders has changed over the years, as has some of the hardware. The early ones had the jumper for reset, then came the magic magnetic wand. If yours has the jumper, I would try that method as it should be the most reliable. Just follow the sequence from the manual - it does mention it can take a little while before it makes noise letting you know it's OK to continue witht he reset process - this isn't a "take the jumper off, turn power on, turn power off, replace the jumper" quick thing.

                                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, July 13, 2009 11:29 PM
cudaken
I tried 255 and still did not reset?

Ken,

Are you doing the reset in OPS mode? You should perform the reset in OPS mode so that you get the verbal confirmation after each CV change.  After the final CV change you should here "Reset".

If you aren't getting a verbal confirmation, shut down your SEB, start it back up, then go through the reset sequence again - again, in OPS mode.  Keep us posted...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:44 AM

 Randy, the tender has the plastic jumper, not the reed style.Decder has the following on it.

                                                         ho301c04

                                                        BL MIKADO

                                                       (C) 2003 QSI

 I would seem it is from 2003.

 Thanks for your time folks.

                                              Ken

 

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 9:15 AM

Ken,

To reset a QSI decoder I use the following :

CV49=110  128

CV50=255

CV56=113

Use programming on the main and when the decoder is reset you will hear three toots to confirm the operation was successful

Edited July 14th to correct the value in CV49

 

Jack W.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:44 PM

 Thank Guys, I was using PH Mode.

 Now in OPS mode, does it not target only one address? With the decoder not responding to commands will it take commands in OPS mode? That was why I was using PH. It last address was 4.

 I will give it a try in the next few days.

 Thanks again for all your help.

                    Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 7:40 AM

davidmbedard
then set your address to 0

 Set the DT to 00 like when I run DC engine or set CV 2 to 000 and send it to the decoder?

 I will not have the SEB hook to the main layout.

          Thanks David

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 5:48 PM

 If you select address 00 like you were goign to run a DC loco, and then switch to Ops Mode programming, that's a broadcast that would program EVERY loco connected to the track terminals of your DB150. It's a way of doing the reset sequence if you forget what address the loco has.

                             --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:06 PM

Thanks Randy, David and all the other people that have answered! I hope this posting will be done with now.

                Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:58 PM

 I am back! That means again I could not get the sucker to resit! With all the problems I have had with BLI the QSI decoder has never been one of them.

 I had the DT 400 on 00, set programing to PO and then set CV 49 =128, CV  50=255 and CV 56 = 113, nothing. I then pulled the jumper, turn on power and turn off power and installed jumper, still nothing. I then took a 2 pound hammer and beat the decoder, nothing? Hammer all wises works on the cars? Big Smile

                        (kidding about the hammer part)

 Good News, I don't care much for the engine anyway. After we get the decoder working again I will up grade the speaker system.

            Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Gahanna, Ohio
  • 1,987 posts
Posted by jbinkley60 on Friday, July 17, 2009 4:41 AM

cudaken

 I am back! That means again I could not get the sucker to resit! With all the problems I have had with BLI the QSI decoder has never been one of them.

 I had the DT 400 on 00, set programing to PO and then set CV 49 =128, CV  50=255 and CV 56 = 113, nothing. I then pulled the jumper, turn on power and turn off power and installed jumper, still nothing. I then took a 2 pound hammer and beat the decoder, nothing? Hammer all wises works on the cars? Big Smile

                        (kidding about the hammer part)

 Good News, I don't care much for the engine anyway. After we get the decoder working again I will up grade the speaker system.

            Ken

This sounds like it won't help in your situation, since you have the jumper but for others if you have an older QSI unit (without the upgrade chip) I have one secret which almost always works.  Put it on an isolated piece of track with an old DC power pack.  Crank up the voltage until you hear the sound system come on but before the locomotive starts moving.  The take the magnetic wand and move it over the reed switch.  It will reset and you'll hear the verbal aknowledgment.  I've had a couple of instances where I could not reset them when using DCC and this method worked.  Atlas has this hidden away on their website.

 

Engineer Jeff NS Nut
Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, July 17, 2009 8:34 AM

 I REALLY think you should just follow the jumper instructions and try it that way, the heck with all those CVs just to do a reset. The only critical thing about the jumper is you have to follow the instructions as to when to have power to the track and when not to, because, I suspect from the way they tell you to do it, the decoder only checks the jumper during power up.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Friday, July 17, 2009 11:06 AM

That is my recollection, Randy. I only ever had to set my older, first run, Paragon Hudson once using the jumper.  I had to lift off the press-fit tender box and remove the "jumper".  The power was to be off when I removed it.  Then, once it was removed, power up the loco.  Nothing happens, but you know the decoder is sensing power.  Then, cut off the power, restore the jumper to its position on the board, and replace the tender cover.  Then restore track power.  The engine should do a reset and only respond on address '03'.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Gahanna, Ohio
  • 1,987 posts
Posted by jbinkley60 on Friday, July 17, 2009 9:43 PM

rrinker

 I REALLY think you should just follow the jumper instructions and try it that way, the heck with all those CVs just to do a reset. The only critical thing about the jumper is you have to follow the instructions as to when to have power to the track and when not to, because, I suspect from the way they tell you to do it, the decoder only checks the jumper during power up.

                      --Randy

I agree on your approach.  In thinking, if the reed switch was just a repalcement for a jumper (so that you don't have to disassemble anything), then it may need DC power and remove/repalce the jumper while it has power.  This would be equivalent to my reed switch example.  I do know that the reed switch didn't always work when connected to DCC.  It's only happened 2 or 3 times with very early QSI decoders.

 

Engineer Jeff NS Nut
Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Posted by cudaken on Friday, July 17, 2009 10:16 PM

 Thanks Jeff for the answer. I have sort of the same problem with my BLI Class J. To get the decoder to resit it had to be powered up on DC, turn power on and off, something like that then it would take commands from by Bachmann E-Z. I thought I could get it done with the SEB.

 Guess it is time to break out the old MRC 2500.

                      Ken

I hate Rust

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!