I have an Intermountain F7 with a QSI sound decoder installed by the factory. At least I am assuming that it is a factory decoder because it has the magnetic reed switch installed for resetting the decoder.
I would like to install working classification lights. I need two functions - one for green and one for red.
Does anyone know if there are any additional lighting control functions available on this decoder? I have searched the QSI and Intermountain websites but I can't find any references to how many functions the decoder actually has.
The decoder is labelled 'ho110f33 (C) 2006 QSI' and the QSI site shows that number but not many other details. There is a four pin plug that is not occupied on the upper left of the decoder in the view below. Could that possibly be for additional lighting functions?
By the way, I have sent a message to QSI with the same question but I thought I would ask here too.
Thanks for your help.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Dave.
I doubt if the factory decoder has additional functions. Having them available is one thing but actually activating them is another. Is there room for a small 2 function lighting decoder?
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
The problem is not going to be with the QSI decoder not having additional functions available, but whether the circuit board into which it is installed has connections to the required pins on the decoder..
Pete:
Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought of that option. There is space if I don't install the cab interior or at least cut the interior down a bit.
Cacole:
That is why I asked the question about the four pin socket on the upper left of the decoder in the picture I showed. It must be there for some reason and I am hoping that the reason would be for additional lighting effects. The problem with testing the pins in the unused socket is that I would need to know what functions/commands would activate the power to the pins. If I had been able to find a proper manual for the QSI decoder that question could probably be figured out without too much experimentation.
EDIT: I think I found the right manual for the decoder but it doesn't refer to the exact decoder physical configuration that my locomotive has so I still don't know what, if any, additional lighting functions might be available.
To top everything off, and just to add some interesting curves to the challenge, the decoder will no longer sound the bell when the NCE bell button is pushed, and when the locomotive is moving all of a sudden I have a mars light instead of a steady headlight. Resetting hasn't cured those problems. Coincidentally, I just installed version 1.65 in my Power Cab. Any relation there perhaps?
Good thing I had nothing better to do with my time! NOT!!
Anyhow, I am still open to any and all suggestions.
Thanks as always for sharing your knowledge.
David:
Thanks. I will keep that in mind.
QSI decoders are factory programmed to match the specific engine they are going in. If the engine only has one headlight, that's all the decoder is capable of working. The extra pins are there but they are not active.
That being said, the decoder can be reprogrammed. I had a QSI factory equipped F-unit that I wanted to add alternate flashing ditch lights to and needed the extra two functions as well. After much research, I joined the QSI Yahoo Group and got in touch with Gerry Pruss (a member there) who I believe is connected to QSI somehow. He sent me a new program for the decoder which activated the two additional pins I needed to gain the two extra functions.
You will need a QSI Programmer to perform this, but it does work pretty slick. Just over-write the program that is currently in the decoder.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Mark:
Thanks - that answers my question.
Before I invest in the QSI Programmer I think I might try David B's suggestion of a second decoder.
Hi Mark:
I have another question if you don't mind.
Can I do the same thing with the JMRI program as the QSI Programmer? I have the neccessary bits on order to set up the JRMI system. It would be really nice to kill two birds with one stone.
hon30critter Hi Mark: I have another question if you don't mind. Can I do the same thing with the JMRI program as the QSI Programmer? I have the neccessary bits on order to set up the JRMI system. It would be really nice to kill two birds with one stone. Dave
Unfortunately, no. QSI (like all other sound decoders) use their own propietary coding that requires you to to use THEIR programmer to upload and / or alter THEIR sounds and software.
Thanks again Mark:
I kind of figured that I would need the QSI Programmer to do the job. It turned out to be less expensive than I had anticipated but I'm still not sure that I want to spend that much money when a second two function decoder would fix the problem for $15. I have other QSI decoders but none of them are giving me any problems.
Edit: I was working with a couple of my QSI equipped locomotives tonight and they were acting up i.e. I was trying to input a long address and they wouldn't respond. Bottom line is I just ordered the QSI Programmer from Tony's.
Update as of May 2:
Yesterday I got the QSI Programmer. It took a bit of farting around to install it because the instructions are not geared for Windows 7, but eventually my son and I got it working.
The very first thing the Programmer told me was that my version of the decoder chip wouldn't work with the Programmer!
OK, I'm not willing to quit just yet so I ordered an upgrade chip from Tony's, which many of you will conclude was throwing good money after bad. You are probably right, but I'm into it now so what the heck.
Tony's stuff takes a couple of weeks to get to Canada so I will fill you in again once the chip has arrived.
This post ended up being discussed in both the Prototype section and the Electronics/DCC section.
I would like this thread to be the one where further discussion will take place but you may want to refer to the old thread for additional information:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/216972.aspx
As a side note, I have a nice Atlas Dash 8-40B with QSI DCC/Sound, & she is really tempermental, as such I have not even thought about painting it yet.Similar to what you stated, function drops, programing that seems to reset itself, & at times it just won'd respond with throttle, makes the revs, but won't energize the motor.Checked the joints & all looks & tests good, she just has gremlins.Someday I will get to it, & perhaps see something else I may have missed..Thanks,
I strongly suspect Decoder Pro would read and change your decoder just fine. I've used for several different company's decoders, including QSI ones, and it works with all of them.
BTW remember that decoders have outputs for two headlights (front and rear). Even though it's logical to assume the headlight on your unit is hooked up to the front headlight outputs, it might not be. Be sure to try changing CVs for both headlights.