Sunset E-8's

Ed, if the new E8 uses a QSI decoder, you must first address the engine using 3. Once you have confirmed the decoder responds properly you can go through the normal address setup. If you are using the programming track function without a booster there may not be enough power output for the QSI to respond. That is a known item with them. You will need to use on-track programming.

Chris,

I first tested the engine at address 3.  It ran, both forward and reverse, and the bell, headlight and whistle worked fine.  I set CV 62 to 0 as per NCE instructions.  Then I went through the process described in the NCE manual for Programming on the Main.  All of this worked on previous engines.  When it didn't, it turned out to be a bad decoder.

Thanks,

Ed

Mine programmed OK first time.  I did run them on address 3 for a while before programming a new long address (324).  I left CV62 =1 - it sounds like they fixed that problem at QSI.  When I programmed the long address on main it said "CV18 equals 324".  Also momentum now works.  Both CV3 and CV4 get programmed instead of only CV3.  I'm still gonna replace the decoders with something else.

Jim,

I am trying to program cab number 28 as the long address.  Is the fact that "28" may be considered a short address the problem?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed, if you get stuck, do the hard reset with the magnet. Then it may take the commands you are trying. I am a novice at DCC stuff, I hope others here can give you sound advise.

Regarding bulging grills. The grills do float in slots with tabs. I take a hair dryer and give a little heat to the body and grill and then they seem to float better and flatten out. Not too much heat.

Scott

Then 0028 would be the long address. I have never been a big fan of the QSI decoders as one needs a degree in electrical engineering, a degree in computer programming, a degree in math and a degree in technical writing to program the dang things

Scott:  I did the reset and tried again.  No joy.

Regarding the bulging grills:  Won't they bulge again when they cool down?  They seem too long for the slot.

If no luck by Monday, I will be asking to return them to you for repair. 

Ed

Scott thank you for the works of art

Just when you think it can't get better...

thanks for sharing, Martin! They look fantastic!

Ed Kelly posted:

Jim,

I am trying to program cab number 28 as the long address.  Is the fact that "28" may be considered a short address the problem?

Thanks,

Ed

Don't forget: when selecting a loco that has a long address below 128 put in a leading zero before the loco number.  In this case put in 028.  Long addresses below 128 are displayed on your throttle with a leading asterisk (*028) to differentiate it from the short address of 28.

I had no problem programming the long address in mine.  Worked first time.  I did run into the same problem as the E7's produced a few years ago.  Couldn't get the pair to pull a consist of 12 Atlas Zephyr cars up a 2% grade.  They were willing, but the wheels just kept slipping.  They just seemed too light.  I added a Sunset FP7 with only slightly better results.  After adding an F7, it made it up the hill.  Then I ran just the E8's to pull the train after balancing a power tool battery on each locomotive (Yeah, not standard practice, I know).  Best performance yet.  Now I want to order a bottle of that "Bullfrog Snot" and try that on two wheels of each truck.  Anyone use that before?  Does it leave any residue on the rails?  I have an E8B coming next month.  That should alleviate some of the issues.  My last option is to open them up and add some of those peel and stick weights.  

For many O scale locomotives without traction tires I've found adding weight is the answer to increasing drawbar pull - the Sunset motors and drive train can handle it.  My approach is to incrementally rest lead weights on a cloth on the roof/boiler until the locomotive can handle the desired train on the layouts ruling.     I check that I have not overweighted by making sure the wheels slip when I hold back the train.  Then I fabricate body or frame weight(s) equal to the weight   arrived at in the  test.  My Sunset E7 A-B-A's handle a heavy 22 car mail and express train around my 2.2% Horseshoe Curve - they are workhorses.  With rather sharp model railroad curves/grades and differing car rolling qualities the locomotive weight needed to achieve the desired tractive effort can vary widely.

I second what Scott said.  Do a reset.  First try the "easy" way with your DCC system or CV Mgr if you have it.  If no joy, do the hard reset with the magnet/wand. 

Some may remember that I evaluated the DCC in Scott's "golden egg" engineering prototype.  It operated flawlessly and responded to the complete suite of commands.  That firmware version was used to program all the production boards.   So, for sure Scott started out with double proven decoder firmware.  Tested by QSI and totally independently by me.

Attached is a photo I did at the time which kinda shows the location of the reset reed relay.  The small black pair of wires running to the rear of the shell attach to the reed relay which is inside the shell along the roof on the left side an inch or so from the rear.  You only have to get close.  Depending on your settings the speaker will announce the reset if successful. 

Good luck.  The engineering prototype performed the best yet when compared to the E7's, FT's and F7's IMO.

Hi Jim,

I did as you said and it worked perfectly.  Thank you very much.

Ed

Ed    Since apparently you want to address the locomotive with a 2 digit number consider setting it up to use a short address rather than a long one.  By doing so your operators won't have to remember to enter a leading zero when selecting the locomotive.  

I think you should try the short address.    I have a Digitrax Simplex system and it sort of defaults to leading zeros.    I am not sure NCE does, but that might well be the problem.    The address below 128 are reserved/used for consist numbers/addresses.    That maybe where your conflict is.

I have programmed the E7s, FP7s and F7s without a problem - - programming.    Learning how to program QSI was a little bit of a learning curve, but once done, is done.    I now do it with Decoderpro and it is simple.

As for weight, I thought the FP7s were too heavy and removed weight.    My passenger trains are short 7-8 cars and 2 units have no problem getting them up my 1 1/2 per cent grade.     The Fs on 20-25 car freights do not even slow down.

Gents,

 As I stated above, I used Jim's method.  There will be few B&O engines on this RR so remembering to put a zero first should not be that hard, I hope.  Time will tell.

Thanks for your input.  I will keep it in mind.

Regards,

Ed

I received my B&O E8A and B and it is pulling my Cincinnatian.  All I can say is AWESOME.  Patiently awaiting Scott to make some Rock Island Rocky Mountain Rocket Cars and  a Rock Island EAB6 so I can use my E8.....

Thanks for a great model Scott!

B&O?   Where are the photos?    :-)

I have ran mine on the test track. I can't wait to get the Silver Meteor behind them!

Down the road I would like to go after building a City of Miami. Couldn't pass up the IC and CofG power. 

Railthunder posted:

I have ran mine on the test track. I can't wait to get the Silver Meteor behind them!

That's some serious horsepower ya got there (and a great choice on the RR by the way)

That IC with Green Diamond logo is a stunner. Next to the UP, that scheme is a very favorite of mine.  Great DVD titled "St. Louis Sojourn" that has numerous shots of the Green Diamond coming off the high line and pulling into Union Station. Grew up in St. Louis until 1960 and I can remember that train. 

BH

My PRR 2 Rail contribution to the photos.  It complements my E7s nicely.  Love seeing the other paint schemes!

Bill, let's see those CB&Q of yours!

SantiagoP23.  I don't have CB&Q E8's.  The engineering prototype was Scotts and was returned after my eval.  I mostly model D&RGW with a little UP thrown in.  The Grande didn't do E's.  And my highly customized UP E7's (separate Q3 decoders and two speakers in A & B units) fill my UP need.

You can still find my eval report and pictures and video on the QB&Q E8A here.   Sunset Burlington E8A Prototype First Look - Video Added

Ive got a set of CB&Q units but theyre in 3 rail as Im still rounding out my trains collection of 3 rail trains while simultaneously starting out in 2 rail. Ill convert them and my zephyr cars over to 2 rail some day or sell them off and buy new but I still run a boatload of  3 rail so I finish off my trains there.

It might be photo distortion, but I like the E-8 nose in Jonathan's photo better than the E-7.  And my interest in Diesels stops at the E-7.

These noses must be the most difficult of anything in model train building.  I would have to re-contour the curve below the outer corners of the windshield.  Just me.

bob2 posted:

It might be photo distortion, but I like the E-8 nose in Jonathan's photo better than the E-7.  And my interest in Diesels stops at the E-7.

These noses must be the most difficult of anything in model train building.  I would have to re-contour the curve below the outer corners of the windshield.  Just me.

Bob,

It might be photo distortion.  I was shooting a pretty wide angle lens in this photo.  I'll have to do a comparison now that you mention it, but the E7 and E8 share a lot of the same tooling.  They should be the same.  That of course does not guarantee that they are.  I remember during the E7 project the factory revised the nose design at least 5 times until everyone was satisfied.

Here are photos of my E7s from 2012 when new.

Another side by side comparision:

Santiago, are you a fan of the Krauss Maffei? 

I sure am, love those RG ones. Rare beasts. Why?

I have hundreds of photos of the SP ones. Some really great shots. Don't think there are any RG shots.

Actually they were taken in 68' so maybe some of the are the former RG units

Awesome, Matt. Looks like you have quite the archive.

I'll try to get some posted later. I haven't been paying much attention to content, Ive been concentrating on getting them scanned. I just couldn't believe how many pics my dad took especially of those hydraulics. He must have 15,000 photos. If you're modeling the late 60's especially California he photographed it.

bob2 posted:

It might be photo distortion, but I like the E-8 nose in Jonathan's photo better than the E-7.  And my interest in Diesels stops at the E-7.

These noses must be the most difficult of anything in model train building.  I would have to re-contour the curve below the outer corners of the windshield.  Just me.

The E-7's, IMHO, had "pinched" pilots on the lower sides. Look at the photos...it looks like someone very strong just kinda squeezed the sides in a little on the lower half.  EMD pilots should be fully arced with no squeezed in areas, but this was the 1st diesel offering from Scott and subsequent models have been much improved.  EMD E&F noses have always been the achilles heel for builders/importers in all the gauges, with some almost laughable if it wasn't so sad.  

BH

Did we forget C&O  thanks Scott

And my o my this is nice 3rd rail does it again