A few months ago, I decided to rebuild my DCC layout. Well, rebuilt the table, relaid roadbed, track and electronics. Before starting this winter project, I carefully packed up my rolling stock and locomotive. Well, with the layout ready to get back in action, I unpacked the locomotives and they all came to life nicely, but two. They were stored next to each other, one has a QSI Deisel ver. 5 ant the other has a locsound V5 decoder. Checked the pickups and current is decected from the wheel feeds. I use decoderpro and digitrax pr4 connected to the program track. Tested them with other stored locomotives and they worked fine.
Problem is that these two locomotives will not come to life, either on the layout or thes program track. They worked just fine when I packed them last December.
I would appreciate any tips or advice on how to wake them up. I am at wits end. Thanks
Hudson,
With the QSI diesel, try double-pressing F6 quickly 3x, with a 2-3 sec. delay in-between double-presses. This is the way QSI decoders are woken up after putting them in sleep mode using F9.
In regards to your Loksound 5 decoder: Are you getting any response from the headlights when pressing F0?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Some decoders have weird start up things, MTH you hit #3 twice to start sound.
rrebell Some decoders have weird start up things, MTH you hit #3 twice to start sound.
It took me awhile but I finally figured that out by accident. You wouldn't know it by reading the manual. I couldn't figure out why the sound wouldn't come on when I started my Empire State Express Hudson. I started pressing buttons at random and every once in awhile, the sound would start up. The next time I would try the same sequence of buttons but nothing would happen. It was only recently that I learned that after starting the loco cold, I had to push function button 3 twice and the sound would start up.
Thanks for the input. Tried F6 on the QSI, and got no response. No response on the loc5 headlights with F0
I presume you tried operating them at their cab address. Try operating them on address "3" to see if they somehow reset. You might also try resetting them to factory standard again. The reset for the QSI decoder is a unique 3-CV sequence rather than the standard CV8=8.
Can you read the decoder on the program track? Sounds like you have a contact issue. Clean track and wheels? Are they steam engines with tender plugs?
Pete.
The QSI reset sequence using CVs that I'm aware of and have experience with is the following:
That should reset it back to address "3"...
Pg. 389 is where the actual reset sequence instructions are located in the QSI manual. If I'm reading it correctly Q1 & Q2 decoders (built before 6/1/08) allowed for resetting of select ranges of CVs. Q2 & Q3 decoders manufactured after that date could only perform the FULL reset.
So, whichever the case - a reset requires values to be changed in three CVs (49, 50, and 56) to successfully reset a QSI decoder. That's the sequence & values I used when resetting a couple of my older locomotives equipped with QSI sound.
No, I can not read decoder on the program track and they are diesel locomotives
I find it effective to threaten and insult locomotives that will not comply with my dcc directions. Things like:
I could always use your decoder on that gp7.
You are more useless than a switch heater in Florida.
And my personal favorite: You stupid son of a Baldwin! I swear to geep that I will punt you through that window! You wanna meet Jupiter?
Oftentimes after that final, crushing insult, the locomotive will respond to all dcc instructions. No need to thank me.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
I think Pete's suggestion is a good one. Try cleaning the wheels with alcohol and a Q-tip swab to assure that gunk is not preventing the decoder from being read. I've ran into that problem before on my programming track.
Ok diesels. That eliminates the tender plug. Could they have been in a consist before storage? Even if consisted you should still be able to read on the program track. If wheels and track is clean, then you will have to remove the shells and check the wiring.
Good news, the locomotive with the QSI decoder came back to life. Don't really know what I did. I stripped down and disconnected the decoder and cleaned every thing I could find. Reassembled and suddenly the lights came and the sound worked. However, no directional movement.
The lok 5 locomotive is still being stubborn. I've dismantled it and the trucks are getting .5 from the tracks.
Will let you all know how it progresses. Thanks to all for the inputs
HudsonRR No, I can not read decoder on the program track and they are diesel locomotives