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I am very pleased with a recent acquisition of an AB set of Great Northern EMD F7s, but I am struggling to understand how the sound system is adjusted and operated. Can anyone tell me how to shut off the Mars light for daylight running? I am using a Digitrax control system and the engines are running perfectly, I just want to make them a little quieter and be able to switch off the Mars light without turning off the headlight. 

 

Ray GrosserGN F7

Last edited by Ray Grosser
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the easiest way to change all that stuff around is to use DecoderPro from JMRI on a computer with an interface to a programming track.    The QSI and most new decoders have hundreds of CVs usually using a matrix type reference.    They do not replace any of the "standard" ones, but they add a lot of new ones unique to their product.

Email me off line and I will email you a copy of the programming manual.    It is a large file.     I think F13 and F14 should increase/decrease overall sound volume.    

The lights are supposed to be programmed to go "dim" in the opposing direction by default.    You need to set the CVs to make them go off.    

Programming takes a bit of learning but you can do it all with your master throttle.    I have done it with my E7s and documented the process.

Thank you PRRJim, I am going to have to get some help with this. I just looked at the 468 page 5.2.0 instruction book for this thing on the Quantum page and I am already in over my head. I don't even know which phase of decoder are in the engines. I do have an acquaintance with division 10 in Lexington KY who might be able to come down and help me with this, I do not have a computer to do the JMRI but he does. Since Rick Sester died it has become even more difficult for me. I cannot seem to transfer the written information to my hands, but that may be part of turning 80.

Also, my command station is an 8 amp Digitrax with the proper power supply but with these two engines running if I try to run another train I can over load the system. It is getting old as well so maybe I will have to get a new command station but I will have to ask about that later.

I do appreciate you taking time to help me. Thank you

R Grosser

Ray,

I have a pair of PRR F7s from the first run.    I also have a pair of E7s and FP7s.     They do not overload my system.

I have an 8 Amp Digitrax system also.    I do have 2 additional boosters and the layout is divided into 3 districts.    But the F7s and 2-3 other locos can run in any of the districts, without overload.   I am wondering if there is something else going to overload your system.    Perhaps  you have a bunch of lights or light passenger cars, or maybe stall motor switch machines powered off the track buss?

I am not sure which manual  you have.   I have one that is 434 pages, and one that is 376.    Each seems a little different.    However, the headlights and backlights are on the same CVs.    so look up in the table of contents "Headlight" and then Headlight initial state and then the same for the "Reverse Light".   Just focus on those few pages and learn about them.   I documented the changes I made on my E7s and could send you that.   It is written more in english than the manual.

By the way, since you have digitrax, do you also have any PM42 or PM4 breaker boards in between the command station and the track?     The breakers on them may be popping.    They default at 3 amps if you did not change them.

Ray,

I put my Sunset F7s on my test track last night and held them at stall at full power.    they do draw 2.1 amps apiece at full power with wheels slipping.     So the pair draw 4.2 amps or so which is a big load as you say.     I also tested my Sunset FP7s and they draw much less, only 1.25 amps apiece at stall.    

This is just FYI.     As mentioned above I can run them and 2-3 other locos at the same time without overload.

Thank you again Jim. I do have some stall switch machines on the buss as well as several lighted passenger cars. That might bring some more into focus now that you mentioned it. I bought a tester some months ago but I cannot seem to get time to install it. I have got to try to make some time in the train room.

I do appreciate you taking time to write.

Attached are two documents that might help in programming the QSI units.      The first is my personal slimmed down version of how to program them along with specifics for light horn and overall volume.       The second is a long (3 page) description of the indirect addressing off a form.  To program other things, you have to get the references from one of the QSI manuals.   My reference page numbers are the an old  368 page manual.

 

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late QSI decoders from Atlas and Sunset are FX-LS and FX-DO respectively. Hardware versions 7021 and 7022. the 7021 will not load the latest Q3 emulator files successfully. the 7022 will. both can load Q2FX files.

for licensed-made versions, they have most of the functionality the OEM version has. sometimes the factory lighting settings are difficult to change.

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