I got new from the LHS a couple weeks ago an Atlas Gold Series GE B23-7 engine. It runs great but it is a lot slower compared to my two Atlas Trainman GP-38’s running Digitrax decoders. I adjusted the CV 6 at 128 and CV5 at 255 thinking the slower speed might be a QSI decoder default setting but that did not fix it. So after speed matching my Geeps to the Dash7 last night, the mid point for CV6 for the Geeps was 75 compared to the Dash’s at 128. I have no real issue with the slowness because I run my Geeps at a more realistic pace instead of them bombing around the layout at 100+ scale MPH but my question is, is the QSI decoder made for more realistic speeds?? I had a Dash-8 that gave the ghost after about an hour before I got the Dash-7 and it ran about the same speed as the Dash-8.
Hi,
from what I know the only difference between Atlas Trainman and Atlas Gold is the level of detailing. The drive system is identical. From my experience the engines are very well speed matched due to the tolerance with which Atlas builds their locomotives. I have noticed, though that some require a good lube job and a bit of break in time. My last Atlas engine, a GP40 as well as my Kato sd40-2 with the flashing ditch lights both ran a lot slower then the rest of my locomotives Being someone that operates in DC only I count on good speed compatibility between engines specially with the helix on my layout. After thoroughly lubing all the gears and bearings these two engines can now be used in distributed power on long freights.
Hope it helps
Frank
That sound decoder has a higher starting voltage. Adjusting the CV’s to match engines is what needs to be done, as you discovered. You will find that non-sound decoder engines will have a higher starting voltage that straight DC engines as well.
Jim
Agreed. All consists should be matched anyhow. Sound loco’s will naturally take more power to run so there would be a speed difference.