An old Walthers Heritage 2-8-8-2: QSI decoder questions

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, as the title suggests, I found a used “second generation” Y3 in authentic UP lettering (UP acquired some during WWII from N&W). It’s a gorgeous model, it looks great and runs quite well and smooth;  I am impressed. Unlike  the original release, one of  which I also have, it has one set of traction tires and pulls reasonably well. But, and you knew there was a but, it has a funky QSI decoder (unlike the first release ESU that I like) which is giving me the fits. Am I stuck with a single weird whistle choice and no momentum adjustments? So they improved the locomotive, but downgraded the decoder? Am I missing something? Or maybe I need to listen to John Colombo and just ESU everything...
Otto K.

PS: yes I know the trailing wheels are off, it happens a lot. Another peeve...

[peteski]

Walthers Mallet never had an ESU decoders.  QSI Quantum Revolution is the only sound decoder these came with.

QSI decoders are just as complex as ESU, and sound projects can be downloaded to them (just like with ESU).  QSI also produced a hardware and software adapter (Quantum Programmer) which allow for sound downloads and for ease in decoder configuration (like ESU LokProgrammer).

The instruction booklet included with the model should have some basic CV settings.  A complete QSI Quantum Revolution manual is a size of a small phone book (over 400 pages, even larger than the ESU manuals). I printed one and bound it for ease of reading, but I haven't messed around with that loco for some time, so I'm a bit rusty about all the settings.

You can download the documentation from https://shedaker.wixsite.com/shedaker/revolution-era-documents

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Pete!
Yes, there is much good info on the QSI link. I’ll play with it, and have already tweaked a few CV’s to get it closer to my liking. Runs great and sounds alright, but I don’t see a whistle selection so it would appear I’d need to download any mods. I just don’t see myself acquiring a downloader (or learning all about QSI’s for that matter) because of this one engine. One could go batty learning multiple decoders’ multiple quirks. It’s bad enough to try l with ESU, Paragons, and Tsunamis and god knows what else I have

My other, older Mallet displays 151 code in CV8 (ESU) and so I knew it does have an ESU decoder; I reprogrammed it the way I like things a while back. So after your message, I opened up the tender and discovered an aftermarket install. I also acquired it second hand and never had the need to open it up. Mystery solved...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction on the QSI.
Otto

[peteski]

You're welcome Otto.  I have the programmer, so if you were to find what you want for the whistle, you could send me the loco and I could upload it to the decoder.  Well, the sound in that decoder is probably custom tailored to Walthers, but the decoder should accept other sound projects.  Like I said, I have the hardware, but haven't dabbled in any QSI stuff for some time.

Looks like the sound files have been deleted from that site, but I have a copy of all the available files, and they also should be available on the groups.io QSI group.  Or if it's too much hassle, you can just go the ESU route.   

[Cajonpassfan]

That is a very kind offer Pete, and it’s appreciated. But at this point, I have too many other projects going, like getting the layout monster somewhat complete, to worry about an odd sounding whistle in one of my “stand-in” engines that are now only used simulate what UP pusher operation might look like if and when they get converted to UP 2-8-8-0 Bull Moose helpers. They are useful as testbeds for future ops, and meanwhile, turning the sound way down goes a long way to improve the situation...
Thanks again,
Otto

[peteski]

Sounds good Otto. Too many projects? I know that feeling quite well (and I don't even have a layout). 

[eja]

Peteski,

You continue to amaze me with both your model RR knowledge and willingness to help other.

Stay healthy .. I may need your help once again !


eja

[peteski]

Peteski,
You continue to amaze me with both your model RR knowledge and willingness to help other.
Stay healthy .. I may need your help once again !

eja

Ok Ed, I'll do my best to stay healrhy. 

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, I got to play with the settings some more, and decided to try her in her future role as a helper. She can only push about 10-12 cars  ahead of herself up my 2.2% grade, and a caboose, at less than 15mph, but that should be fine. I don’t want too much power on the back end.
Eventually, the plan is to convert her to a Bull Moose UP 2-8-8-0, see pic below, but that’s a whole another project. I do like the performance, smooth a silk, so it may be worth the effort... still need to figure out how to make her coast downhill without the chuff😜
Otto K.

[peteski]

Sounds like you made progress. 
While I'm a bit rusty on all the QSI decoder features, I think that it can sense the load on the motor and control the chuff volume.  The details are likely buried in that 400 page manual.  I recommend joining https://groups.io/g/QSIndustries and asking your question there.  It will likely be easier than looking through the manual.

[SkipGear]

It should coast/drift. Honestly my Walthers 2-8-8-2 was head and shoulders above anything with OEM sound for a long time. The first loco that I could load down while running and hear a change in load and if you stall the loco, the chuffs stop completely.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Whatever happened to QSI? They seemed to have a great product and support, then vanished.

[peteski]

Whatever happened to QSI? They seemed to have a great product and support, then vanished.

Here is a quick summary - more info is out there if you search for it.
QSI was made up of 2 entities:  One, technical (Kelly Dorf) designed the hardware, and the other one, QSI Solutions (Josh? Shedaker), did marketing and sound development.  I don't recall why, but  the marketing/sound division closed up shop suddenly.  The hardware division still plugs along, mainly making large scale decoders, and repairing existing decoders.  That QSI group I mentioned earlier is active and Kelly participates in it.

I also bemoan the lack of new development from QSI., Those are excellent decoders, but rather physically large for N scale.

[Cajonpassfan]

It should coast/drift. Honestly my Walthers 2-8-8-2 was head and shoulders above anything with OEM sound for a long time. The first loco that I could load down while running and hear a change in load and if you stall the loco, the chuffs stop completely.

That’s good to know, thanks Tony. I’ll play with her some more. Sure is an impressive model.
Otto.

[peteski]

It should coast/drift. Honestly my Walthers 2-8-8-2 was head and shoulders above anything with OEM sound for a long time. The first loco that I could load down while running and hear a change in load and if you stall the loco, the chuffs stop completely.

Yes, the chuff synchronization (without a cam) is absolutely amazing.  The decoder appears to be measuring the motor's rpms and from that perfectly calculates the chuff frequency.  When I first ran mine, and started trying different things, I couldn't believe how good this decoder was compared to other ones out on the market.  Even now, that QSI decoder seems to have best cam-less chuff synchronization.