I have a QSI-equipped locomotive that's giving me some addressing problems.
After about a year of not running this particular locomotive, I went to run it 3 weeks ago on a friend's layout and it wouldn't budge on it's long address. My friend suggested that I try dialing in the short address and it ran fine on address "3".
I brought the locomotive back home with me and tested it out on my layout. Same thing occurred so I reset the decoder to factory settings and readdressed to the long address. It then worked on my layout using the long address.
A week or so later I was back at my friend's house and the same thing happened with the same locomotive: I'd dial in the long address and get nothing; I'd dial in the short address ("3") and it would go. (Just to be clear, I didn't operate the locomotive between the time that I readdressed it at home the week before to the time I ran it on my friend's layout the 2nd time.)
Yesterday I finally installed and got my home computer hooked up to DecoderPro and started learning how to use it. (So far I really like. ) One-by-one I read and recorded the CVs to each of my locomotives so that I could have a record of them. When I put the aforementioned QSI locomotive on the programming track I had all sorts of problems reading and writing to the decoder.
I'd set the short and long addresses, set the speed table, and read and write CVs but the locomotive wouldn't run using either my Power Cab or the built-in DecoderPro throttle. When I looked at the locomotive addresses under the "Basic" tab, I noticed that their values had changed to something completely different than what I had entered earlier. I'd reset the decoder and the locomotive would run on address "3". However, as soon as I would address it again, it would stop running and wouldn't responded to either the short or long address. Tried this several time but with the same result.
Does this sound like a faulty decoder? I haven't had any issues with any of my other decoders losing their brains. This one just refuses to either take or hold a long address anymore. Any suggestions you all might have would be appreciated. Thanks for the help ahead of time.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Instead of the decoder losing its long address, it may be a case of CV29 not being reset. If CV29 does not stay set to tell the decoder to run on the long address, the decoder defaults to the short address of 3.
I usually set CV29 to a value of 34 to tell the decoder to turn of dual-mode DC operation. The next time you have this problem, first try setting CV29 to a value of 34 and see if it will then run on the long address.
Hi Tom,
Is this an Atlas Loco, was the QSI factory installed, and does this decoder have a magnetic reed switch for factory resets?
I had a similar problem and found I had a bad reed switch. Both Atlas and Randy suggested clipping it off.
Anyways here is the thread
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/215401.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=1
UP,
This is a 1st run BLI Dreyfuss Hudson. Thanks for the link to the thread. I'll take a look at that and check about that reed switch.
Chuck,
I always address/reset my decoders on the programming track using the Power Cab (in this instance using CVs49, 50, and 56, respectively) so I never physically set CV29. I will take a look at it though. I also turn off DC operation so that it will only operate on DCC.
Actually, I just went into DecoderPro and looked at CV29 under the CV tab. After the earlier reset, the value for CV29 is set at "50" and this is listed as "From file" under the "State" column. I'll write "34" in that cell and see what happens. Thanks for the idea...
According to DecoderPro under the "Sound Control" tab, this particular locomotive comes with a reed switch that can be disabled/enabled. I glanced over the other thread that UP provided.
So, clipping and/or unsoldering the reed switch would eliminate the issue happening again? Do I need to bridge the gap at all? I'm going to try changing CV29 first to see what happens before clipping the reed switch.
Well before going to the drastic step of cutting the reed switch. See if it is just stuck. You should have a procedure for resetting the loco using the reed switch in the manual from BLI. Try that first. If not the reed switch could be stuck. I had some success unsticking it by using the magnet that Atlas provided. I did this by putting the magnet in the middle of the reed switch and dragging it to one side. This seems to allow my loco to operate properly until the next time I get a short on the layout, then its right back to address 3.
Good Luck, Derek
Unless the reed switch is causing all this, I think something is majorly wrong with the decoder. I have tried innumerable combination of things and I get an innumerable amount of arbitrary responses each time:
Update #1: The bell does respond to F1 and the horn, F2. However, they will NOT respond to either the HORN/WHISTLE button or the BELL button. The headlight does not respond to either the HEADLIGHT button or F0.
Update #2: Just out of curiosity I checked a couple of other sound locomotives and it seems that the issue was with the Power Cab itself. (For whatever reason the BELL button turned on the headlights.) I did another Power Cab throttle reset and everything is copacetic again. Now I'll need to check it with the other locomotive again.
Update #3: Now I can get bell and lights to work on the troublesome locomotive but the horn will not play whether I press the HORN/WHISTLE button or F2. Then I use DecoderPro to reduce the overall volume by 25%...now the locomotive doesn't respond at all. That seems to be par for the course.
Still a reed switch issue? Or should this go back to BLI for repair?
P.S. The locomotive is now responding to the 4-digit address again but I didn't do or change anything to make it do that.
It seems that you have a bad decoder, and it should probably go back to BLI for replacement; but I would phone or e-mail them first, describe all the symptoms, and see what they say.
Thanks for the reply, Chuck. I usually send BLI an e-mail rather than call. That way they have a written record of the problem.
I would agree with Chuck as well. Contact BLI. While you are waiting for a reply have you found the reset procedure using the reed switch in the manual? I also thought I had disabled it in JMRI but because the reed switch is bad that CV setting had no effect. The more I read about what steps you are taking the more it sounds like my problem.
So did you try the magnet trick on the reed switch?
Needless to say, I'm not a big fan of QSI at the moment and me with 2 more Atlas QSI Locos on order at the LHS.
Derek
I'd just cut the reed switch out at this point. I also wouldn;t be too worried, my Atlas Trainmaster has been a good solid loco, I haven;t had to touch is after setting up the address and momentum, so far, despite months between runs (it's part of my club fleet, and I only get to play at 2-3 shows a year) it hasn;t had to be reprogrammed, it just works. And last show I had it at, it ran for hours as the middle loco in a 3-unit consist with a pair of GP7's, Protos. Despite the wierd 'things' that happen at the club - like people grabbing the wrong loco and messing up your cosists, even with basic throttles. And of course constant shorts when people run open switches, even with multple power districts you can get caught up in someone else's mess when a lot of trains are running. Never lost it's mind once.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Just sent an e-mail to BLI, explaining to them what I've described here. I'll let you know what they have to say.
Bump,
Just wondering what BLI said. How have you resolved the issue? Or is it still outstanding
Derek,
I received an e-mail from the BLI Service Dept. today. They said it could be a bad decoder but first wanted me to 1) reset the Hudson using the Power Cab then 2) change a CV17, 18, and 29 to specific values that were included in the body of the e-mail. After I confirm that the locomotive works on the specified address, I'm supposed to remove it from the track for a few minutes then test it again.
I won't have time to check it tonight but will this weekend sometime. They won't be reading the e-mail until Monday anyhow. I'll keep you posted after I have a chance to run the test...
Tom, are these numbers a secret or can you post them.
Jack W.
Jack,
No, I can post them. BLI gave me the following CVs to test the locomotive out on address #1234:
By entering those specific values for the above CVs, the locomotive should respond to address #1234. These can easily be calculated for any 4-digit address using the following link:
http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm
Thanks Tom
My question was out of curiosity, however I don't get the purpose of this testing. Do you?
I made my own CV17 CV18 calculator for my iPod and programmed an Excel sheet to reverse engineer the decoder address from values found in CV17 CV18.
Since the QSI decoder is losing its address, BLI wanted me to manually change those CVs to the said (calculated) values to see if the address would "stick" and the locomotive operate on that particular address. If the address "stuck" and (after removing it from the track for several minutes then putting it back on the track) the locomotive ran fine then that would rule out the decoder as being the problem.
tstage Jack, Since the QSI decoder is losing its address, BLI wanted me to manually change those CVs to the said (calculated) values to see if the address would "stick" and the locomotive operate on that particular address. If the address "stuck" and (after removing it from the track for several minutes then putting it back on the track) the locomotive ran fine then that would rule out the decoder as being the problem. Tom
Tom,
Have you tried it yet?
Rich
Alton Junction
Rich & Jack,
I just spent the last hour or so trying to reset/reprogram my Hudson a dozen or more times. I could only reset it using DecoderPro. My Power Cab would NOT reset it.
When I was able to reset the decoder, I used the values that BLI sent me in the prior e-mail for CVs 17, 18, and 29 to set the long address to "1234". However, I could not get it to take the address. Actually, one time it did take but only the sound came on. The locomotive would not move and pressing the headlight, bell, or whistle button had no effect.
So, I think the Hudson is going to be taking a trip to the BLI backshop - i.e. unless the reed switch is causing all this. I'll be responding to BLI's e-mail to let them know what I found out. If cutting the reed switch doesn't fix the problem, maybe they'll replace the QSI decoder with a Paragon2 decoder. Or, better yet - just exchange it for one of the newer Dreyfuss Hudsons due out next month.
I'll let you know what they say...
I just sent BLI a reply and described to them what I tried and what worked and didn't work. I'll keep you posted...
tstage I just sent BLI a reply and described to them what I tried and what worked and didn't work. I'll keep you posted... Tom
Thanks, Tom, anxious to hear how this all works out.
richhotrain Thanks, Tom, anxious to hear how this all works out. Rich
Ditto
Tom:
I am going through exactly the same thing with an Intermountain FP7 so I too will be very interested in how this turns out.
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'm still waiting for a reply from BLI from 3 days ago. Hopefully I hear from them tomorrow. If I don't hear back by Monday I'll send them another e-mail inquiring whether they received or read my last one. They may be busy getting ready for shows.
BTW, the decoder in my Dreyfuss Hudson IS a Paragon2 rather than a QSI. I thought my non-streamlined BLI Hudson was my only Paragon2 locomotive. In either case it will NOT hold a 4-digit address.
Thanks for the quick response.
After numerous attempts to reset my FP7 it ended up dead in its tracks (pardon the pun) so I tried resetting to address 1234 using the CV settings you got from QSI and lo and behold it actually responded! However it is still doing strange things. I have a mars light in the headlight and the bell/whistle functions don't work properly.
Yesterday I broke down and bought the QSI Programmer from Tony's. I will post once it has arrived and I have had a chance to play with it. I bought it instead of scrapping the QSI decoders because I have a few other locomotives with QSI Titan decoders which for now seem to operate fine, but who knows what they will do in the future.
In the future I will favour LokSound, although I will be watching the opinions on TCS's sound decoders when they hit the market.
Correct me if I am wrong but I am afraid you did not reset the decoder, you only changed the decoder address to 1234 leaving all other setting as they were.
That would be correct, Jack. That sequence is only for changing a locomotive's address (whomever the manufacturer) to "1234". You would need to perform the three CV reset (i.e. CV49=128, CV50=255, and CV56=113) to completely reset a QSI decoder to factory settings.
hon30critterAfter numerous attempts to reset my FP7 it ended up dead in its tracks (pardon the pun) so I tried resetting to address 1234 using the CV settings you got from QSI and lo and behold it actually responded! However it is still doing strange things. I have a mars light in the headlight and the bell/whistle functions don't work properly
I'm just curious, but is that an Intermountain FP7 with factory installed sound decoder, or did you install the decoder? I ask because the thread heading concerns a QSI decoder losing its address, and from what I can see on the Intermountain website the FP7 came with a Soundtraxx decoder.
The information Tom received concerning the address entry just manually entered the proper values in CVs 17 and 18 to get the address to be 1234. That information will work for any decoders. But if you want to reset the decoder back to original, I believe that the process is different between QSI and Soundtraxx.
Regarding the Mars light and bell functions being "confused", sounds to me like you got the function assignments mixed up somehow. Resetting the decoder to as delivered should correct that. But if you are trying to reset assuming the wrong decoder, you won't get anywhere.
On the other hand if that loco actually has a QSI then just ignore the above!
Hi Maxman:
There is no question that my locomotive has a QSI decoder because there is a label saying so right on the decoder. The exact version is marked as well. It is: ho110f33, which shows up on the QSI website as being correct for an FP7. Here is a previously posted picture of the locomotive with decoder:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/216872.aspx
As far as reassigning functions, I haven't attempted to do anything of the sort, so I am reasonably sure that I am not the culprit here. Note that I didn't say "absolutely sure" because I believe at my current stage in programming DCC decoders, regarding the QSI decoders, I am absolutely sure of exactly nothing at all!
Anyhow, thanks for trying to help!