Years ago, I purchased two EMD E7 locomotives from Walthers with QSI version 7 sound decoders. They run fine, but compared to my other more recent locomotives, the features available with this decoder are limited. Would it be worthwhile to replace these decoders with something more modern? How hard would this be to do? Does QSI offer a newer version and would that be easier to install? (There website is not very helpful.) I welcome your suggestions.
Define “worthwhile”. I have never felt the need to replace a QSI decoder, and I have several of them.
Rich
Some of my other decoders offer a function for road crossing horn. Other decoders offer automatic horn for go forward, backward, and applying the brake. These are just two features I appreciate having, but if the cost is outrageous to upgrade or replace the decoder, then I can live with what I have.
So, that is very interesting and, as you know, features not available on QSI decoders. They were pretty impressive in their time, but today’s decoders put them to shame, but a the cost of programming complexity.
Rich
In an ideal world, I would love to have all my locomotives using the same brand of decoder with similar features. It would make programming them easier especially setting all the functions to do the same thing for each locomotive.
I recently updated two of my BLI steam locomotives to newer Paragon decoders matching my othger BLI steam locomotives. Now they are all programmed with similar functions.
Failing this ideal, I would just be happy to upgrade some of my older locomotives to more feature rich decoders.
Yep, that is the ideal situation, and it seems from
Postings that more and more guys are doing just that - converting all of their locomotives to a single type of decoder. Usually, that occurs with sound decoders. Me? I am quite content with whatever the manufacturer initially installed.
Rich
The latest versions of JMRI DecoderPro make decoder programming so simple even I can do it.
I replaced the QSI decoder and speaker in an early P2K Geep because it was extremely difficult to MU with other locomotives. It isn’t difficult and just depends on whether you can do the work and are willing to pay for new hardware.
JPD,
Using my steamers as a guide, replacing a decoder in a sound loco costs about $150. That’s a TCS WowSteam with Keep Alive from Yankee Dabbler (including shipping). Price is the same for their similar diesel decoder (sound and keep alive). If you have to add speakers it will be ten to twenty bucks more unless you want really great speakers, then it will be more.
If having the additional functions is worth the cost to you, go for it.
TCS has installation instructions for many locos, including some BLI. Here’s a link to the list for HO: HO Scale Installations | Train Control Systems. BLI is about a third of the way down the page (you’ll have to scroll).
TCS also offers decoder kits which include a decoder (mostly 21-pin, I think), motherboard, keep alive and usually a speaker for various locomotives.
(I don’t work for TCS, but I use their decoders whenever I can.)
Another advantage you’ll discover if you change out the decoder - motor control algorithms have improved greatly over the past decade or so. You’ll probably have better slow speed operation with a newer decoder of almost any brand.
I’ve replaced several decoders for various reasons. Generally it will take some soldering, but once you get past the intimidation factor on the first one you’ll discover it’s pretty easy.
Good luck!
@Pruitt as someone slowly working on a couple sound decoder installs for steam locomotives, what drives your decision to use TCS over other brands?
I really like their motor control algorithms, and they have what they call “Audio Assist,” which lets you program the sounds using the function buttons on your controller. No need to mess with CVs (though you can if you want).
As much as possible I’m standardizing on them.
But I have some locos without enough room for the TCS decoders. I’ll use ESU Loksound on those because they’re much smaller (and I have a friend who knows how to program the sounds into them).
My reason for replacing 6 QSI decoders was I was unhappy with their sound files. I’ve just never thought they sounded anything like an EMD 567 of 645. They also seemed to go into “a coma” for no reason (I didn’t put them to “sleep”), requiring the 3 CV reset process. They did however run well enough to my liking. But the sound files had to go. Using a Decoder Buddy with 21 pin capability made the installs (my firsts ever) pretty easy.
Regards, Chris
@Pruitt thank you. Right now i have a couple of bachmann engines with TCS factory-installed, a non-sound digitrax, and a Soundtraxx installation I’ve almost finished. It probably does make sense to consolidate to one brand!