Does anyone know where i might purchase a QSI decoder HO112 F03 used in Proto 2000 Series GP9I. Walthers apparently can not supply. Am told I might use a QSI Titan-U, but that some rewiring will be needed. Am not able to do that so am also looking for a source that maybe could rewire as needed. Local club unable to do at this time.
Thanks for any info.
What is wrong with the decoder that is installed already? Do you need just the chip? You have many choices for a replacement if you would like. QSI Titan, Soundtraxx Tsunami, and Loksound version 4 or Select are all viable replacements. A call to Gary or Duke at Traintech LLC will answer all your questions and maybe you can send it to them if you feel uncomfortable doing a swap.
Pete
The “factory” decoder in your loco won’t be available as an aftermarket purchase. Unless you can find one that someone has removed from their loco you are probably out of luck. The newer Quantum Titan series decoder is an updated decoder and has improvements over the previous versions. Take a look at the Litchfield Station site: http://www.litchfieldstation.com/Installation.html. They do good work and I think that their prices are reasonable.
Joe
Thanks Pete and Joe for the info. I will contact one or both organizations you have suggested to see what can be done.
As to problem, it began with engine starting OK and moving with sound, fine for some period of continuous running. But when stopped for switching, or put into a siding, it would not begin to move again. Engine sound would increase but no movement. Thought it was into neutral. Followed procedure in book to no avail. If I shut the engine down completely, still would not move. If I left the engine overnight and followed start up procedure, engine would start up and move. Sound would be OK. As soon as I stopped the engine would no longer move. At this point the engine no longer responds to any commands.
Since I have no technical people close to me it appears I need a shop such as you have suggested.
Thanks again for your help.
QSI makes a HO 999 chip upgrade replacement.
Most suppliers can program the correct sound files into the new chip and send it to you.
You may want to get a tool to remove the old chip, as they can be a bit of problem to remove with a screw driver.
Take a look here: http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=999002828&cat=&page=1
I think we may be jumping the gun here. The OP started the thread with a question about purchasing a replacement decoder. Then in answer to the “why are you doing that” question he describes a problem he’s having with the loco that may or may not be due to the decoder.
Possibly the OP should be asking what we think is causing the existing problem ( I say we but I really mean "those who are more knowledgeable).
Just a guess but I do have to ask. Could you possibly be hitting the F9 key on the throttle and putting the loco in standby mode?
Pete.
To Pete: I do not think so, however as soon as I can get back upstairs with the engine I will try again to see what is happening.
To Woodone: Thanks for the info, will look that up. As to the source of the problem, you are correct. I am assuming the decoder is bad due to the at first time lapse when the engine would not move. but would after some time delay, to now that it is entirely unresponsive. Am going to try if again later today to see if anything has changed.
Pete: The engine as of now is completely non responsive to any command. As I do not believe I have thye needed meters,etc do much trouble shooting I have been in touch with Traintec and will probably send/deliver the engine to them for analyses.
Thanks for the help.
Roger
Hi Pete. Took your advice, kind of. Checked Traintek’s web site for the address and found they were only up the road about 70 miles. Since I am in that area quite often I stopped in to see Gary and probably Duke. Not too good at names. Thanks to you and them I have an excellent running engine again. I am quite sure I will be seeing them again in the future. Thanks again for the good advice.
Roger West
It would be helpful for the rest of us if you could describe what they did to fix the issue. Did they replace the decoder, or did they do something else while you waited?
The engine was left at the shop. The problem apparently was a very dirty commutator. I think I probably caused that problem by over lubricating. The engine was tried with a different decoder but the problem persisted. Once the commutator was cleaned the engine runs ;like new. the engine now has 20-30 minutes of use in switching operations with no problems at all. Hope that helps.
Roger.
Glad to hear Gary and Duke took care of it for you. They have a great bunch of guys in the shop. I buy all my decoders and supplies from them.
Good thing you tried them. You would have wasted time and money when the problem was in the motor.
Pete