Replacing Walthers H10-44 QSI with Tsunami?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I’m contemplating swaping the QSI decoder that came with my Walthers H10-44 with a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder.

Has anyone done this?

I’m wondering if there is a “best” Tsunami decoder for this swap. Maybe the Atlas style board?

Just looking for a board that fits inside. Not too worried about simple plug n play wiring since I can easily rewire/solder to the Tsunami board.

2

There is no best, only what works best for you.

These locos had Fairbanks-Morse prime movers. SoundTraxx has the FM decoders. I have some.

828047 TSU-AT1000 Fairbanks-Morse

The below might work also.

827108 TSU-1000 Fairbanks-Morse H-12

Check the SoundTraxx site. Litchfield Station has very good prices and free shipping over $75.

I do know not the size of the loco but I am doing this in a Walther’s H12-44. Search this forum for h12-44 or look at the post I have made. It is very recent.

Rich

3

I personally wouldn’t swap out a QSI. Soundtraxx might be a little better but not enough to replace the QSI IMO. If it’s a little older you might be able to simply upgrade the program chip.

4

I would agree with the above. I have a Atlas Pan Am GP40-2 with QSI and I would just get an upgrade chip. I also use the Tsunami. I just fine tune QSI and Tsunami.

Rich

5

Thanks for the info. Probably best just to keep it as is and use the scarce funds for other projects.

I have mostly Tsunami except for this QSI FM H10-44. I use it as a yard switcher and really like to hear it idle.

But to my ear it lacks the quality and depth of sound compared to my other lcoos where I’ve installed Tsunami. Although I think this lack of quality may be the weak speaker on this unit. Not much room for one so likely a big reason for the weak sound.

Also it bugs me that you have to select the loco (enter its address) before it will make sound. Haven’t found a way to change CVs so it makes sound as soon as track power is applied.