QSI Decoder disaster HELP

T

Thirdrail68

Registered
What a frustrating day.

So I went for it and wired the smoke units directly to the QSI 10 amp USA Trains svc decoder and I made progress. Then I noticed that the smoke had stopped. On investigation I found that with all the fiddling around I pulled a wire out from the smoke unit which needs soldering back. Anyway as held the other end of this wire which was still attached to the decoder the end dropped and touched the decoder somewhere. The sound is now more or less gone, it's very quiet. I reset all my days work and it won't go back to normal loud sound. The sound is there but at about 10%, the loco moves. What have I done. I am absolutely gutted. I have to say although QSI decoders sound good the amount of programming is ridiculous. I have had to mess around with this for a week now and this happens. Have I blown this decoder?

Please someone give me some good news.

Cheers
Steve
 
Ouch - sounds like you might have. Smoke units can pull a bit much power for decoders anyway (especially just as they burn out) so safest to by pass the decoder and wire to the wheel pick ups. (via a voltage regulator if required).
 
Sadly it does sound (no pun intended) like the sound stage of the decoder might have suffered some damage, though the driving stage is still working as it should? :(

I've done the opposite in the past, blown the driving part of an LS decoder although the sound still works.... >:(

Given that it's an expensive piece of kit, it may well be repairable by the right person for a lot less than buying a new unit?

I know there are several very tech-savvy individuals on here, I'm sure one of them will be able to have a look at it for you.... Good luck!

Jon.
 
Good point Jon. I have heard of Glendale repairing decoders in the past.
 
Hi lads,

These decoders can handle the power of a smoke unit, I was doing what traintek and QSI recommended. What I can't understand is one end of the black wire was wired into the decoder the other end was free of the smoke unit. This end dropped onto the decoder which sent the sound into its muted state. I am so fed up its untrue. I posted earlier for advice on getting the smoke units to work via the adapt a board which they say works well it bloody don't which forced me into this mess. £200 down the drain. I give up to be honest.
 
I sympathise enormously, Steve.... when I wrecked the LS I mentioned, it was entirely down to my own carelessness, reversing two wires and not double-checking before I applied the power - a bl**dy "rookie mistake" that I should never have made, I'd done several decoder installs up to then with complete success, and this was just a moment's distraction when connecting up the pins.... then the unmistakable smell of fried electronics and that horrible moment of realisation as to what I'd just done. :(

Where did you buy your decoder from? Chances are that if it's a reputable dealer (and most of them are) they will be happy to look at it for you - even if it has to go away for repair, it's likely to be a lot less costly than binning it.

Hang in there - I'm sure you can get it fixed by someone.

Jon.
 
Hi Jon,

I got the decoder from Traintek in the states with the adapt a board so no chance of repair. It annoys me because I would of never of done the direct smoke unit install to the decoder if the adapt a board traintek instructions made it clear.
 
i would still ask Glendale. i know they have repaired decoders in the past.
 
If Brian at Glendale can't help, do try other dealers - GRS, Chalk etc. Somebody will have someone on call with enough electronics skill to fully test it out for you, at the very least....

Jon.
 
Hi Steve, I know that you probably have already tried this but just in case....
The QSI decoder lets you have two sound settings..full volume (the level of which can be set with the CVs) and another setting that can be totally muted or set to any percentage of the full volume. This is then controlled by function button 8 (flipping between the two settings).
What may have happened is that the accidental 'connection' of the smoke output wire may have caused the CV for the muting to go to the '10%' mark for the 'mute' or a low setting for the 'full'. Try the function 8 button on your controller (it may be button 6 or even 5 if the CVs have mucked around)
 
Failing that, try a factory reset. Perhaps more than one setting got changed.
 
Hi Peter

I did a couple of resets and the sound was still very low. What I can't understand is if the decoder was now faulty how is it that I still have total control with movement, features and sound all be it the sound is low.
Cheers

Steve
 
Thirdrail68 said:
Hi Peter

I did a couple of resets and the sound was still very low. What I can't understand is if the decoder was now faulty how is it that I still have total control with movement, features and sound all be it the sound is low.
Cheers

Steve
Click to expand...
You may well just have blown part of the audio amplifier stage, hence there is still something coming out, but low volume..
 
Are you using the QSI programmer module or a Sprog?
If you are using either then inspect the CVs that are setting all of the multiple sound volumes just to make sure that they are all set at a loud volume.
 
Maybe worth getting one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/kitronik-deluxe-stereo-amplifier-with-35mm-jack-lead-pre-built-a54rj that would get it louder if you have damaged the audio amp circuit.
 
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