Was readin in MRR about locos equipped with QSI sound for dc operation? The article did not go in to as much detail as I wanted. It did not explain abut the system at all. So my question is does the sound work while runnind on DC? How? and is it worth it. Any Info would be helpful!
J.W…pirate for hire
QSI works on DC and DCC basically-
DC POWER - Steam or diesel sound when in motion only and ability to operate whistle/horn and bell if power pack has a separate direction switch. The latest versions are compatible with a special box that can trigger more sounds usually only accessible on DCC
DCC POWER - sounds continue when stationary including air pumps and shovelling coal or idling engines on diesels. Whistle / horn, coupler, air pump, brakes etc sounds are all controlable by pressing buttons on your DCC controller. Some basic DCC controllers don’t have enough functions to control all the extra sounds.
Yes it is worth it, it sounds fantastic. I have 7 broadway locos and am intending fitting sound in more using Tsunami decoders as QSI aren’t available separately.
Try looking at the Broadway Limited website as there are sound samples and more details on there.
According to the Sounds Like Trains web site, the QSI decoders will be available in a couple of months time. There is an interesting PDF that describes the QARC technology that gives the decoder life in the DC setting
Actually, you have all the sounds in DC, even when in neutral and at rest, contrary to what you have said above. What you can’t do is control their characteristics in DC because you can’t modify the values in the related CV’s. A
More to the point, rapidly flicking the direction switch to get a bell or a whistle is a pain in the patoot…it gets old fast. Also, you can’t use the function keys to get injector sounds, for example…that is possible only in DCC.
So, the DC experience with QSI is much better than without, but there are constraints.
-Crandell
I am straight DC, but have several QSI equipped locos. As soon as the stand alone QSI units are available I plan to add sound to a few more locos, but I have no plans to go to DCC anytime soon. That may lend a litle more perspective.
In response to selectors reply, with DCC all locos are powered even if you switch to another so will continue to make sound when not being driven, but on DC there is no capacitor backup so once that loco is isolated it will be silent.
Broadway produce their own SIDEKICK for activating the bell and whistle that works with all locos on DC.
Atlas have a more advanced version that controls more sounds on DC but only works on the latest versions installed in Atlas or Broadway locos. see www.atlasrr.com
QSI will be producing stand alone decoders with sound but we’re still waiting to know when exactly.
Soundtraxx have just released theirs and it works on DC and DCC the Tsunami
I am a stout supporter of BLI because their steam is perhaps the Gold Standard that is including factory installed QSI and DCC.
I own several BLI’s and recently ordered the Reading T-1 (Actually about a few months back when they were announced) from PCM which is essentially the same as BLI but producing HO and N scale engines.
I run Analog, and have the DCC master from PCM to run the T-1 because the Lok Sound is different than the QSI in some ways.
On DCC the engines run beautifully. Here is one of few that I uploaded (NOTE some of you have seen this before… the coal train crossing a bridge)
http://www.youtube.com/?v=b9rvo7u-BVU
Here is a BLI M1a working a heavy train (Weighted cars 4-6 ounces)
http://www.youtube.com/?v=IIT6-OAYVeg
Life Like also made a QSI equipped 2-8-8-2 which is light on pulling power but is excellent behavior and good sound.
I developed a preference for QSI products. You can use the Sidekick to save having to flip the Analog power pack’s switches.
Ultimately you might want to go DCC because it is easier to operate, the analog mode uses so much of the availible throttle due to voltage demanded by the engine there is not much useable left for operation. (To me anyway… I like em slow and low)
There has been so many nice engines such as the Trainmasters and more others coming already equippted with QSI or Lok Sound… there is literally not enough money in the piggy bank to keep up with it all. So I carefully choose which ones to get each year.
There are several analog only engines in my stable, they will recieve either the Tsunami or dual mode decoders eventually. I still look over non-sound products in the Hobby locomotive section but… I feel that eventually all HO locomotives will be at least dual mode from the factory.
=)
thanks so far …saftey valve thanks too…keep it coming
J.W…pirate shopping for a ship