I have read many posts about this, but have gotten no results. Does anyone know how to speed match QSI decoders, such as the ones in Atlas gold Line HO engines, to decoders of other manufacturers? I’ve basically tried everything (CV 2/5 (they forgot CV 6), Custom Speed tables, the works…) and still it doesn’t work. I’ve fooled around with QSI’s control settings, and all that yielded was either a locomotive that doesn’t speed up between steps 1 and 8 or one that acts super odd and wonky (doesn’t move in forward, takes off like a rocket in reverse). Has anyone had success with this?
Are your locos version 6 or 7? David B
I have 2, both are version 7
It it madness to me to try and speed match to other locos. The reason being that a loco’s performance changes over time. Even if you warm it up fully, it will change the next day.
I suggest getting a Speed tunnel and speed match to that. That way you are not trying to match to something that is in a constant state of flux.
Anyways, to speed match those QSI locos, your first step is to perform a reset. RTFM
Then disable the BEMF. RTFM
Set your address and use 34 as a value for CV29
Use the next 2 cvs to match locos.
Set CV2 to a value that will allow the loco to creep at speed step 1. Do this in OPs mode. Select the loco, put it on speed step 1 and then enter OPs mode programming. Then adjust CV 2 until the unit just begins to move. Once it is moving, back off CV2 until the loco stops. Then add 1 to that value. Done.
Set CV5 to a value that will be your full speed. This should be the speed of your slowest loco. FYI, my top speed for all my locos is 50SMPH.
Set CV6 to be 1/2 of CV5.
Set momentum.
Remember that mementum needs to be 0 before speed matching.
BEMF in a consist will fight with other BEMF locomotives.
The Accutrack speed tunnel is and amazing tool for speed matching a fleet of locos.
Hope this helps.
David B
That was the first process I tried. The problem is that QSI decoders do not support CV6, and the manual gives no indication on how to turn off BEMF
http://www.qsisolutions.com/pdf/QuantumDCCRefManual_5_1_0.pdf
That link is for the latest QSI manual for version 7 8 and 9. CV6 is supported. Why do you say CV 6 is not supported? Are you sure your decoders have the latest firmware?
CV6 only works if it is less than CV5. Default for CV5 is 0, as is CV 2 and CV 6. If you set CV5 to anything but 0, then CV 6 becomes active. If you leave CV5 at 0, CV6 wont activate because CV5<CV6.
Also, make sure that your DCC system is setting CV29 to be 34 (3 step speed table), not 50 (28 step speed table).
David B
This is the manual I have been using http://www.walthers.com/page/qtm_q1a_dcc_ref_man_ver_4_0_2.pdf. It was published closer to the manufacture of my locos and does not make mention of CV6
2.3 lists a CV table CV6 is listed there as not supported…
Anyways, just use 2 and 5. I always set 6 as a linear connection between 2 and 5 anyways.
David B
It lists an “N” for not supported. However, even if it were, it does not help the problem of not speeding up till SS8
Reset your decoder. RTFM
Turn off BEMF. RTFM
Set your Address. RTFM
Set CV29 = 34
Select loco and run at speed step 1.
Enter OPs mode programming with loco running.
Set CV 2 until loco creeps.
Back off CV 2 until loco stops. Add 1 to the value of CV2.
Set CV 5.
Beyond that, there is nothing you can do.
David B
I am once again reminded why I do not use this forum. No one is helpful of polite. I have read the F#*$%ing manual several times, tried everything you have suggested and reported that I have. I reset the decoder many times, each time the loco will not speed past SS1 until SS8, no matter what I input for CV 2,5,25, 29, or 67-94
Alright, move on then. I am a professional installer who has programmed many, many QSI decoders of all versions. The steps I have laid out for you are correct and concise. I took valuable time out of my life to help you with YOUR problem. You are a reason most people on these forums wont waste their own valuable time in trying to help…an ungrateful person with an entitled mentality.
Good day to you. And YES the manual also tells you on how to set up their decoders. Your questions would be been answered if you actually comprehended it. I guess ive read it for you.
David B
I may come across as ungrateful because I’ve been trying to tell you that I have tried what you are suggesting about a dozen times with the same results. I am not stupid. I do not appreciate your being rude to me. Had we actually been able to have a conversation I would have thanked you graciously for your assistance, even if all you could do was tell me what I already know. I simply do not take kindly to people who accuse me of being unintelligent and imply that they are using language not preferable in this sort of community. I told you what my problem was. You gave me your assistance, at least to what you thought I was asking. I told you that I had tried what you were suggesting, and rather than simply saying “OK” or suggesting something else, you accuse me of stupidity and carelessness. I would have expected a more professional approach from a professional like yourself. Perhaps I was mistaken. So, I suppose you will be leaving so thank you very much for you help. I greatly appreciate your original effort in assisting me.
Ummmm, one of the things that I see is that QSI does not necessarily refer to BEMF. They list several modes of throttle response on page 165 of the manual you referenced. One of these is something called RTC, or regulated throttle control. This is discussed on page 166. From what I read, it appears that your loco comes with RTC as the default, top of page 165.
There is something on page 167 where it states that “at QSI we set V-start to provide minimum speed between speed step 1 and speed step 8” (5th bullet down), and then suggests that the speed will not increase until speed step 9 (inside the gray box on the same page). That seems to be similar what you are describing.
I am not an expert on all this, but it appears to me that if you wish to not use the RTC function that you’d want to use what they call STC, or standard throttle. This is also described on page 165. To do this, you would have to change CV56.4 from the default of 1 to a new value of zero. Following the example on the bottom of page 166, I believe that you set CV 49 to a value of 4, and then set CV 56 to a value of zero. Then you should be able to go through whatever you want to do without any interference from the RTC, or BEMF, or whatever else they call it.
But, as I said, I’m not an expert, so please re-read all that stuff yourself to see if it makes sense. And possibly Mr.Dave might wish to comment if you haven’t annoyed him beyond repair.
GOOD READ ! but at the risk of sounding stupid [:$],what is RTFM ?
to the opp, I feel Your pain with the QSI ,I too just went thru hell trying to speed match, And some one recommended that you need to shut off “verbal read back” on the QSI if using in ops mode programing and speed tables. I was also using decoderpro,a ring a track,a zephyr (power/comand) dt402 (throttle),pr-3 and the comfort of my office and it still was bear. I well go with Dave on day to day changes with different locos so I found a stop watch and timing marks on my circle of track to work best for me.
as far as the Bemf on the qsi ,still don’t get it ( I only printed the first 100 pages of the book) but believe it has to do with rtc or stc throttle , Also I never got my qsi’s to start moving on step 1 2 or 3 , so the QSI /P2K was my "golden " or benchmark loco’s , and everything else is matched to them .
wish I could better help, BUT thats about all I remember…Jerry
I guess I just have to wonder, yet again, why the obsession with making sure everything runs perfectly in lockstep. I have one loco with a QSI, an Atlas Trainmaster. I run that together with a pair of Proto 2000 GP7’s which have TCS motor-only decoders.
I’ve changed nothing (other than the address - too many gerfingerpoken DCC novices at the club so using consisting is at your own peril, since I run all three together all the time, or just the Geeps, I just set all 3 to the same address.
If I throttle up and down slowly, they run darn close together, at least when hooked to a train. Ran them for hours at a time on our latest 28x154 foot setup, no issues with anything getting hot or wheels grinding, or anything bad happening.
That’s mixing loco manufacturer as well as decoder brand. I also have an otherwise identical AB set of FTs, one with a Tsunami and one with a TCS, and they work well together with no adjustments as well.
I’m starting to see a pattern, maybe it’s the TCS motor decoders, with their auto adjusting BEMF keeping them running well together. And they aren;t crazy expensive decoders, about $19 or so.
–Randy
After much serious consideration and debate, the committee for unusual, unknown, or otherwise unclear acronymns has published a literary paper where they have defined “RTFM” as meaning “read the flipping manual”.
Going back to the original post, it appears that part of the problem was that the OP could not get the decoder adjusted to speed up until speed step 9. From my limited knowledge of the subject as posted above, this appears to be a characteristic of the decoder when operated in RTC mode.
MAXMAN,
i will have to admit,you did it again,I agree with both your response’s… Your technique,for be subtle,is stupendous, without a doubt…LOL…
Cheers,
Frank
thanks Maxman
Hey now; that makes since, with all the BEMF ,RTC,STC, hard to tell[;)] and one could see where that may be taken as rude. But to be honest the QSI our a bit confusing with there set-up compared to others and NOW I see the need to cough up ink & paper for the other 100 pages,as that is a good-to-know on the first 8 speed steps …Jerry