I would like to get a short horn response on my Proto 2000 0-6-0 steamer for switching moves (2 foward, 3 reverse, etc.) The decoder as is gives a tossup between a long or short horn with a quick press. Getting three in a row for reverse with three quick presses is like hitting the lotto. How to alter the decoder? I don't see any CV's other than the "horn volume" (F2) with covers both. I thought of trying the Sprog2 with Decoder Pro software but it is $100+ and I don't know if it will be able to do the job. I use a MRC Advance2 DCC. I tried e-mailing QSI (no response). I love this little engine other than the horn problem....
I know this sounds picky and Lord knows there are bigger problems in the world but I just can't resist chasing this white whale around for a while! I learn best from the problem/solution and hard-knock schools. I would be willing to send it off for a fix (anyone do this sort of thing?) or try it myself if it is even possible....Any ideas or input will be much appreciated!
Thanks, Bob
It might depend on what version of QSI you have. Go to their web site and look for their decoder manual. It's a big one! The manual lists all the CV's and how to program them. It tels how to find what version you have. The newer ones have more features than the earlier ones had. Try this first before considering a new decoder. Joe
Do you think it would be a straight plug and play swap or would there be more involved?
QSI vs Tsunami Swaps depend on the individual decoder formats. What a lot of people call the AT format ( used in Atlas and others) are pretty much identical, but would require unplugging/plugging individual wires. The basic format is basically a few pins.
Richard
I believe QSI decoders have several wire plugs on them. Look at the one that's installed now. I don't think these have the 9 pin harness on them. Compare the wiring to a photo of a TSU decoder. I don't think this will be an easy swap. Joe.
I have done many QSI to TSU swaps and they have taken a little under an hour to about 1 1/2 hours--on average. Make sure you like the sound difference overall as well. There are sound samples on Soundtraxx webpage. With TSU you select the steam engine size and whistle combination that best fits.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/
If you did this it's also a good time to consider speaker upgrades, adding a high bass speaker for example.
Thank you all for your excellent advice! It is much appreciated. I will go for the light steam engine TSU-1000 (826101) and upgrade on the speaker. Using the DH123D initially sounds like the way to avoid problems along with the resistor for the headlight. It should be a good learning experience and very rewarding if I can pull it off! Thanks again....
Bob