I have a Atlas Gold Series GP40 that is giving me fits. Maybe I missed something. First a little about my set up, running a DCS51, programming using JMRI with a PR3 and PB-100, Program track is connected to the PR3 through the PB-100 and a loconet cable connects to the 51 through the PR3. Worked great for Tsunami's and TCS and Digitrax decoders. I was able to program the GP40 the way I wanted and the file is still saved on my computer. I changed to the long address and programmed the address among other changes. Loco took all my programming correctly. Somehow the loco became non-responsive. Did the double click of F6 and it came back. Sometime later the loco really became non-responsive and F6 double click did not work.. So I decided to try factory reset according to manual which is
CV 49 to 128
CV 50 to 255
CV 56 to 113
Okay now GP40 is back to factory settings and responds on address 3. Lights, sound and throttle all work. But, every time power is reapplied from powering off the Decoder says out loud "reset". Now I can't get it to program at all. It will read back CV's and its address but I am unable to write changes to it. I unplugged the programming track from the PR3 and plugged the PB-100 directly into the programming output of the DCS51. No Joy. Tried blast mode on the main and did remember to toggle on sw 7. Not able to program on the main. I guess my next step is to try a reset using the magnetic wand it came with but before I go digging out a DC power pack for the procedure to reset with the wand....
What am I missing? Any insights would be welcome. Been programming for a while now with this set up and have not had an issue. This is my first QSI decoder.
Thanks in advance, Derek
I have found it necessary to deactivate the verbal acknowledgements to help with programming many of these. If that doesn't work, I would contact Atlas since it appears other than what I just mentioned, you're doing all correctly. BTW, turning off the verbal acknowledgements is something I found out by talking with the guys at Tony's Train Exchange.
Richard
Derek.
Most factory QSI decoders have some sort of reset device installed for guys running on DC and using the separate box for horn and light functions. It will either be a reed switch that operates with a magnetic wand or some have a reset jumper that needs to be pulled off of pins and set on another set of pins. More than likely you have the reed switch. this switch may be stuck in the contact position. Remove the shell and make sure the switch is not making contact.
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 Atlas should be of the reed switch variety. They are somewht fragile and it is most likely the contacts are stuck. If it's a clear type of reed switch, looking closely at it or with a magnifier you will see the two fine metal leaves that are the contacts. They should not be touching unless you have the magnet near it. A little flick with your finger should release it. More drastically it can be cut off, but if it ever stops responding to DCC reset commands, you'd have to find a way to jumper momentarily across the terminals where the switchw as to do the DC 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.
I have 2 of these Atlas GP40s and have encountered the reed switch problem. One loco will reset with the reed switch with no problem but the other one won't no matter how many magnetic gymnastic I've tried. On the other hand it will reset nicely via the CV route. I may try a version of Randy's idea and use a momentary jumper around the reed switch the next time I need to reset (I hope not for a very long time ).
Joe
Thanks Guys and Pete and Randy,
I did drag out an old MRC DC power pack and no joy using the wand and the reset procedure as outlined in the manual. In conversation with Atlas they suggested bad reed switch and suggested cutting it. I was reluctant to cut it for the reasons that Randy outlined. Its good to know that it can be stuck. I'll have to dig out the magnifying glass this weekend and inspect further.
Joe, it was interesting that the loco was dead until I did the CV reset route. But that action seems to have jammed the reed switch. I got the engine to work again but can't program. Every time power is applied in either DC or DCC it announces reset .
Thankfully it does work on address 3 so I could just settle for it announcing reset .
Problem with leaving it doing the reset is that if you change anything, it will be gone the next time you turn on track power.
The reed switch and magnet wand was a good thought, to keep you from having to open the loco and apply a jumper - on the steam locos that was usually easy because the tender hatch opened to reveal the jumper and volume control. But for the reed switch to work properly, it has to be somewhat aligned in the proper direction - and apparantly the manufacturing tolerances when it comes to doing this aren't good enough, so sometimes it just doesn't work - until you take the shell off and wave the magnet near the board in a different direction.
I find the dates on these posts interesting. The OP posted on 26th of Feb. I responded on 7th of March and then everyone joins in. I go through the list of 0 replies whenever I can to help whomever is looking for help. Makes me think that reposting questions may be necessary even though some find it annoying.
Well, Thanks Richard for getting it going again. I didn't follow up myself but was about to. I was talking to Atlas about the problem but the gentleman there only works 3 days a week.
It is indeed the reed switch as suggested by both Atlas and Randy. Thanks Randy for suggesting to take off the shell and examine it further. I was reluctant to cut the reed switch as suggested by Atlas.
On this particular Atlas GP40-2 there is no need to take off the entire shell. There is a individual piece over the reed switch that snaps off the body allowing access. I was able to use the wand to get the reed switch unstuck or whatever was wrong with it. Now it is able to program via JMRI. I noticed in JMRI that there is an option to disable the reed switch in the programming so I did disable it. Any downside to doing so? I assume I can get it to work again by doing the DC reset with the wand.
Thanks to everyone who helped with this as this is my first Atlas engine with a QSI decoder,
Derek
EDIT: Joe, I didn't need to jump it, I just used the wand. The reset as outline in the manual probably didn't work or work to well because there are two wires right over the top of the reed switch possibly preventing good magnetic action.
Derek:
Thanks for the info on the JMRI reed switch disable/enable option. I'll check JMRI on the problem loco first to see if the reed switch has been disabled somehow. I should really look more closely at the JMRI panes to see what else I have been missing . I did remove the hatch over the reed switch when I was attempting the reset but no joy. The other engine responded easily to the magnetic wand without having to remove the hatch.
Hi Joe,
Just in case you are looking for it. In JMRI using Decoder Pro and if you have the QSI decoder then the Reed Switch Enable/Disable is under the Sound Control tab. To my mind not exactly intuitive but that's where it is. I'm still wondering if there is any downside to running with it programmed off.
If you disable it, it just means you will not be able to do the DC reset witht he wand, if it gets stuck for any reason you'll have to use the DCC reset procedure. Which will turn the reed switch back on since that's the default.
Thanks Randy
locoi1sa Derek. Most factory QSI decoders have some sort of reset device installed for guys running on DC and using the separate box for horn and light functions. It will either be a reed switch that operates with a magnetic wand or some have a reset jumper that needs to be pulled off of pins and set on another set of pins. More than likely you have the reed switch. this switch may be stuck in the contact position. Remove the shell and make sure the switch is not making contact. Pete
+1
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Update:
I was letting my 11 year old nephew operate this Sunday and the GP40-2 was on the layout but not operating. My nephew didn't have some turnouts in the right positions which caused a minor derailment which then caused a short. Even with the reed switch supposedly disabled through programming, it was activated and then stuck in the reset position. So every time the power is applied the engine says reset and responds to address 3. If I access the reed switch and fuss with the wand I can get the reed switch unstuck and the loco reprogrammed. If I don't fuss with the reed switch the engine can't be reprogrammed at all. Guess I'll just have to be careful of shorts and killing power to the track that the loco is sitting on when not in use.
Time to clip the switch off.