Weird decoder "reset" results - QSI

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

On start-up yesterday, all my locos did their thing, but my Outlet Direct (BLI) Niagara stayed in bed. I moved it around thinking I had left it on a dirty spot, pressed F6 in case I had forgotten that I had shut it down completely last session, pressed F8 in case I had muted it, and eventually tried a hard reset with the magnetic wand.

Now, this Niagara had a note slipped in, printed on a machine, not by hand, stating that, as opposed to what the Manual states, the reed switch is not under the centre of the coal load, but had been relocated"…to the end." Hmmmm…

I did four reset atttempts using the magnetic wand, sweeping all over that bleeping tender, and got no 3 hoots that signifies a reset. I then rewrote the three CV’s that the Manual says I can adjust to initiate a reset. No 3 hoots. Nada. Just me and a dead loco. Hmmm…

I decided to send it back.

Then, puttering around today, I recalled a similar incident in my distant past. What if the loco had reset itself after all, and would not respond until I activated Address 03 on my paddle? I dropped what I was doing, placed the loco on my newly scenicked 24" portable programming track, powered the track and dialled 03. Darned if the thing didn’t begin to pump air, emit blower his, whistle when I pressed the button, and move when I directed it to!![:0][8D][:D] It is now re-addressed, momentum and other CV’s adjusted, and I am pleased to say that I don’t have to ship it back. I’m back in business, since it hauls my Limited.

So, the moral of the story, I guess, is keep thinking it through. These systems are robust, especially the QSI decoders, and it’s all about problem solving. I just wish I was faster at it.

-Crandell

2

I’m gonna guess it never reset from your actions, more like it was one of those mysterious “reset itself” things that seems to happen from time to time.
Little note - forget the little note, just pop off the tender shell (the M1 and T-1 are just press fit) and see just where that pesky reed switch is. I confess to havign no luck with the magnetic wand and the Atlas Trainmaster and I’m pretty sure I was over the correct spot. Next time I’m using a big Kadee under-track magnet instead of that measely wand [:D][:D][:D]

–Randy

3

Same thing happened with my PK2 2-8-8-2 ( my pride and joy!! from ebay) I thought, great a dud. Did the same as you dialled up 03 and away she purred.

The wierd wonders of electronics!!

Ken.

4

I have had several similar incidents. The weirdest was when my LL GP-9 w/QSI was tooling down the track and all of a sudden it stopped dead in its tracks like it hit a brick wall. After the brick wall the sound went off and the loco appeared dead. Nothing would get it to wake up. Finally I put it on the prog trk and found the address was 03. I checked the track and found no reason for the outburst. FIgure it must have been a UFO flying over and screwed up the electronics. Several times a loco (QSI) will just go nuts and not respond to the throttle. I have to hit the emer brake to stop it. Prog trk says address 03???
Terry [8D]

5

Wow, I have never had that happen, Terry. It seems that this is a fairly common occurrence, and you’d think that QSI would have issued a statement about this problem by now.

I guess we should be grateful that it is easily corrected, but it does few people any good to have to find the cure by accident. Reconfiguring all those CV’s gets to be a pain, too.

Thanks for your replies, Randy, Ken, and Terry. I am not alone…(sniff)

-Crandell