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Atlas Gold Series User Manual Download Page 45

 

Atlas User Manual: Diesels

 

with QSI Sound 

         45/52        

 

13 January 2015 

Decoders (Quantum, Quantum Titan, or  
Quantum Titan with ET)

 

 

 

6  Special Operation and Troubleshooting  

For additional information on trouble-shooting, see Appendix III, 

DCC Troubleshooting

, in the 

NMRA DCC Reference 

Manual for QSI Quantum 3, 2, and 1 Equipped Locomotives

 [3]

. 

 

6.1  Doppler Shift Problems (DCC) 

With some DCC systems, using the 

Horn

 button to activate the 

Horn

 and also activating the 

F6 

or 

Doppler

 key while 

the 

Horn

 button is held down, will cause the 

Horn

 to shut off instead of causing a Doppler shift effect.  We have 

experienced intermittent and independent

 Horn

 signal interruption with certain DCC systems, causing unexpected 

Doppler shifts. If this happens frequently on your layout, you may wish to disable the 

Horn-Triggered-Doppler shift

 

using CV51.2.  (See Section 4.2.12.) 
 

6.2  Reed Switch Operation with the Magnetic Wand (Analog and DCC) 

An Atlas sound-equipped diesel locomotive that is equipped with a QSI Quantum sound-decoder has a special 

Reed 

Switch

 located directly underneath the top of the plastic locomotive shell.  This switch can be activated by the 

Magnetic Wand (included with each Atlas QSI-equipped Gold Series locomotive) without having to disassemble the 
loco.  The reed switch can be used to reset the locomotive parameters to factory defaults, to change the overall 
volume of your sound system, or to turn on a locomotive that has been shut down.  This last capability applies to DC 
(Analog) operation only.

 

 

6.2.1  Resetting your QSI-equipped Gold Series Locomotive to Factory Default Values 
Using the Magnetic Wand (resets all Analog and all DCC parameters) 

Resetting the firmware in the sound-decoder to its factory-built configuration can resolve many problems that can 
sometimes occur with firmware-controlled electronics.   In fact, at Atlas we have found that at least 20 to 25 percent of 
the problems with Gold Series locomotives that we receive for repair can be resolved simply by resetting the sound-
decoder.   Hence, the very first step you take to resolve a problem should 

always

 be to reset the sound-decoder in 

your locomotive.  With QSI sound decoders, there are two ways to reset the decoder parameters (1) the DCC-only 
reset described in Section 4.2.6 that resets only the DCC CVs and (2) the magnetic wand reset described here that 
resets both DCC CVs and analog parameters.  Since a number of parameters (e.g., sound volumes) are shared 
between DC and DCC operation, the magnetic wand reset does a better job of resetting the decoder to its original 
factory configuration than does the DCC-only reset.  Hence, Atlas recommends resetting using the magnetic wand 
whether your locomotive is normally operated on DC or on DCC. 
 
The following items are needed in order to do a magnetic wand reset. 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

The magnetic wand reset procedures given below apply to all Atlas Gold Series locomotives, both HO and Two-Rail 
O-scale.

  

Resetting with the magnetic wand can be done on either a DC-powered track or a DCC-powered track.  

                                                      

68

 

Instead of this 4-page magnetic wand resetting booklet, older (pre-Titan) Atlas Gold Series locomotives included a 4-page locomotive 

information booklet (packed with the locomotive) that showed (in a photo at the top of page 3) where to place the magnetic wand on the top of your 
locomotive 

  

ITEMS REQIRED FOR MAGNETIC WAND RESET 

1.  The Gold Series locomotive that you wish to reset 
2.  The magnetic wand (packed with your locomotive) 

3. 

The three photographs on the last page of the 4-page magnetic wand resetting 
booklet

67

 packed with your locomotive

 

titled 

Using the Magnetic Wand to Reset an 

Atlas Gold Series 

(model) (scale) 

Locomotive Equipped with a QSI Quantum Titan 

(with ET) Sound-Decode

r

 that show where to place the magnetic wand on the top 

of your locomotive

 

4.  A DC- or DCC-powered track 
5.  Either a power pack with a 

variable-voltage

 

DC

 output or a DCC system  

Summary of Contents for Gold Series

Page 1: ...uipped with QSI Sound Decoders Quantum Quantum Titan or Quantum Titan with ET 13 January 2015 Atlas User Manual Version 6 12 for the following Quantum Firmware Versions Ver 7 Quantum or Quantum Revolution Ver 8 Quantum Titan Ver 9 Quantum Titan with ET USER MANUAL ...

Page 2: ...uide is designed to get you running your new Atlas HO or 2 rail O scale Gold Series locomotive with QSI sound as quickly as possible whether you are using conventional DC or DCC Atlas recommends that you get used to running your Atlas sound equipped diesel locomotive by reading the sections of the Quick Start Guide that are relevant to the type of layout DC or DCC that you have and trying out the ...

Page 3: ...he way off Flip the direction switch and reapply power to go in the opposite direction As you increase the track voltage the Rear Headlight will switch from Dim to Bright Off to Bright if your loco has Version 7 firmware and Q1a hardware and the Front Headlight will become Dim assuming that the locomotive was originally going forward Blowing the Horn on DC Blow the authentic diesel locomotive Horn...

Page 4: ...ging briefly with less and less volume as the pneumatic clapper slows down just like the prototype If you do a Slow flip and back operation you will get a short Hoot of the Horn instead of the Bell Conversely if you try to do a very short Horn blast using a Quick operation you will activate the Bell instead If you have trouble doing the Quick flip and back operation try holding the power pack in p...

Page 5: ...atically enter the Neutral State after the locomotive stops moving You will hear a Short Air Release when the locomotive stops moving and a longer air release about one second later followed by Air Pumps and other background sounds 6 o If the locomotive was moving forward the Front Headlight will switch from Bright to Dim when the locomotive stops o If the locomotive was moving backwards the Rear ...

Page 6: ...as only an F2 key this key may be set at the factory for either latching or momentary operation depending on the DCC system Some DCC systems allow the user to configure a function key such as F2 for either latching or momentary operation If the Ditch Lights are On the locomotive is moving forward and the Horn is blowing Horn or F2 key pressed the Ditch Lights will flash alternately for as long as ...

Page 7: ...n 4 2 3 1 Resetting your Locomotive to Factory Default Values Using the Magnetic Wand resets all Analog and DCC parameters Resetting the firmware in a QSI Sound Decoder Quantum Quantum Titan or Quantum Titan with ET to its factory built configuration can resolve many problems that sometimes occur with firmware controlled electronics In fact we have found that at least 20 to 25 percent of the probl...

Page 8: ...g the Scenarios in DC Operation 18 3 11 2 Timing of Horn Blasts to Trigger Scenarios in DC Operation 19 3 12 Additional Analog Operation Features Available with Quantum Engineer Controller 19 3 13 Analog Programming 20 3 13 1 Entering Analog Programming 21 3 13 2 Scrolling through the Program Options 22 3 13 3 Entering a Program Option and Making Changes 22 3 13 4 Moving on to Other Program Option...

Page 9: ...dure for Long 4 Digit Address Programming on Main Line Digitrax Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra DCC Systems 34 4 2 3 3 Special Procedures for Short or Long Address Programming for Lenz and Certain Other DCC Systems that Do Not Normally Permit Address Programming on Main Line CV56 129 35 4 2 3 4 Special Procedures for Long Address Programming on the Main Line Bachmann Dynamis and CVP Products EasyDCC Systems...

Page 10: ... 2 2 Manual Volume Adjustment using the Magnetic Wand Analog and DCC 47 6 2 3 Turn your Locomotive On using the Magnetic Wand Analog Only 47 6 3 High Voltage Circuit Breaker applies only to firmware Version 7 with Q1 Q1a or Q2 hardware 47 6 4 Program Track Operation DCC 47 6 5 Reasons Why Your Locomotive is Silent or Will Not Start Analog and DCC 48 Appendix 1 Features Available for DC and DCC Ope...

Page 11: ...ediate Level Information Once you have mastered the material in the Quick Start Guide you may wish to learn more about the many features available in your Atlas Gold Series locomotive The document you are reading User Manual DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives Equipped with QSI Sound Decoders Quantum Quantum Titan or Quantum Titan with ET explains in considerably more deta...

Page 12: ...e s Direction without Turning off the Sound Section 3 6 Standard Throttle Control STC and Regulated Throttle Control RTC Section 6 2 1 Resetting your Locomotive to Factory Default Values Using the Magnetic Wand resets all Analog and all DCC parameters Section 6 2 1 contains extremely important information if the sound decoder in your loco fails to function properly Essential Reading for DCC Operat...

Page 13: ...ware Versions 8 and 9 but none of them apply to locomotives with QSI Version 7 firmware Quantum Titan Architecture The Quantum Titan sound decoder has a new architecture that gives it considerably more horsepower than earlier sound decoders from QSI and other manufacturers Some highlights of this new architecture are Over twice the audio bandwidth is used to provide very bright high fidelity locom...

Page 14: ...feature in locomotives with Version 9 firmware is the use of sound records that have an approximate 16 kHz sampling rate instead of the 8 kHz sampling rate used in firmware Versions 7 and 8 This higher sampling rate will almost double the highest frequency sound that can be reproduced assuming that the frequency range of the speaker extends up to 8 kHz As stated earlier in addition to a higher sam...

Page 15: ... Wait at least one second while the Horn is blowing Flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the Horn does not shut off You will hear the Horn and other Prime Mover sounds shift in pitch as the locomotive passes by you Either flip the direction switch back to shut off the Horn or continue with long or short Horn operations When you are finished blowing the Horn the locomotive sounds wil...

Page 16: ...ecial Low Idle State which is marked by subdued throbbing engine sounds will automatically come on after 30 seconds See description of Low Idle in Section 5 Quantum System Sounds The diesel locomotive will return to generating normal diesel sounds when the throttle is turned up After the Air Pumps start you can use the direction switch to blow the Horn or turn on or off the Bell 12 If you cannot e...

Page 17: ...ates Under STC your locomotive will respond quickly to a reduction in track voltage Under RTC your locomotive will decelerate slowly as you bring the throttle down If you bring the throttle down below V Start the locomotive will slowly come to a stop You can however force a locomotive to slow down rapidly under RTC by bringing the throttle down quickly this action reduces the available power to th...

Page 18: ... instance if you program your locomotive to be an End Helper its Rear Headlight operates when the locomotive is moving in Reverse and the Front Headlight is disabled This is ideal for providing a Rear Headlight for the train Normally if this diesel locomotive is facing backwards at the end of a Consist its Rear Headlight will be facing forwards and will be lit when the Consist is moving forward fu...

Page 19: ...he length of time you hear the Horn sound play Minimum and Maximum Lengths in msec of Long Horn Blasts A long Horn blast is one greater or equal to 1 8 seconds but less than 10 0 seconds This is the time you hold the Horn button down not necessarily the length of time you hear the Horn sound play Minimum and Maximum Separations in Time in msec between Different Horn Blasts There is no minimum time...

Page 20: ...ntering Option Option Description 1 System Volume 20 16 Max Volume equals X 21 Sets System volume 17 levels where level 16 is maximum volume and level 0 is off 2 Load 0 No Load Load equals X Selects the starting and stopping momentum for both Regulated Throttle Control RTC and Standard Throttle Control STC Level 0 no load Level 1 15 increasing load with acceleration to full speed from 15 seconds t...

Page 21: ...ls Max is 15 21 Alternate Horn Volume Customizes Alternate Horn Volume 16 levels Max is 15 22 Prime Mover 2 Volume Customizes Prime Mover 2 Volume 16 levels Max is 15 with Prime Mover 1 Volume in background for comparison 23 25 Reserved Reserved 26 Pump Volume Volume equals X Customizes Air Pump Volume 16 levels Max is 15 27 Air Let off Volume Volume equals X Customizes Long Air Release Volume 16 ...

Page 22: ...tions immediately after entering programming to change the system volume Note It is important to flip the direction button quickly to prevent loss of power that can cause you to exit programming Some power pack direction switches have a center off position as well as plus and minus polarity positions which can make it more difficult to switch the direction from one polarity to another without losi...

Page 23: ... you will hear the message V Start X where X is the new setting Note The final value of V Start will decrease from the original voltage reading because resistance in the power pack or pickups will drop the voltage slightly during this calibration procedure To leave programming turn the throttle off and then power up for normal locomotive operation Alternatively continue to the V Max Option by movi...

Page 24: ...r Fire Coupler Arm Enable or Coupler Fire F4 Diesel Fans and Louvers On Off Diesel Fans and Louvers On Off F5 Dynamic Brake function On Off 31 Dynamic Brake function On Off in Disconnect state only F6 Doppler Shift single press F6 Locomotive Start Up double press F6 32 F7 Squealing Brakes Flanges and Air Brakes Diesel Long Air Let off F8 Audio Mute On Off Audio Mute On Off F9 Heavy Load On Off sin...

Page 25: ...g it will cause the Horn to come on and stay on until you press F2 again 38 Pressing the Horn button will blow the Horn only as long as you are holding the button down 4 1 4 Coupler and Coupler Crash Sounds F3 Key There are two ways to use the F3 key As your locomotive is about to couple up to a string of cars press the F3 key to trigger the crashing sound of locomotive coupling Use the F3 key aga...

Page 26: ...r the throttle is turned up Note In contrast to Air Brakes F7 Dynamic Brakes do not increase the deceleration rate specified by CV4 and CV24 Note If Dynamic Brakes are on they will remain on if you drop the throttle to decelerate or lower the throttle to zero and apply Brakes using F7 The Dynamic Brakes of course will stop automatically when the speed is reduced below 8 smph 4 1 8 Doppler Effect s...

Page 27: ...u have selected any non zero deceleration inertia or momentum value in CV4 and or CV24 the F7 key can be used to apply Air Brakes to stop the locomotive more quickly than it would normally stop from the inertia settings 44 To use these simulated Air Brakes Turn the throttle down to Speed Step 0 on a moving locomotive this action enables the F7 key to act as a brake Press the F7 key Hear a brief Br...

Page 28: ... reduce the throttle to diminish the locomotive s Notch and Laboring sounds You can control how hard the locomotive works by changing how much the throttle is increased or decreased from its initial position where Heavy Load was turned on To turn Heavy Load on and off Press F9 and hear one short Hoot when Heavy Load is turned on Press F9 again and hear two short Hoots when Heavy Load is turned off...

Page 29: ...ction 4 1 9 or double press the F9 key again to reach the final stage of the Shut Down process which is called Total Shut Down Note Standby is ideal for leaving your locomotive running on a siding Besides hearing the low idle Prime Mover sounds the locomotive will not respond if you accidentally change the throttle setting or press a function key Stage Three Total Shut Down If you double press the...

Page 30: ...F2 key Note The feedback that uses Horn Hoots to identify which Horn has been selected can be disabled enabled using CV51 2 Note Setting F11 to 1 selects the Primary Horn Setting F11 to 0 selects the Alternate Horn 4 1 17 System Volume Decrease F13 Key and Increase F14 Key firmware Versions 8 and 9 only You can decrease the System Volume by 2 dB by pressing the F13 key once You can increase the Sy...

Page 31: ...e Scenario but only in Neutral Versions 8 and 9 only Pressing F28 triggers the Water Loading Scenario but only in Neutral Versions 8 and 9 only Note The volume of Crew Talk during these last three Scenarios can be independently controlled using CV52 52 4 1 23 Automatic Features with Take Control Operation The Quantum System allows the operator to Take Control of certain automatic features by using...

Page 32: ... to program CVs on the main line using Operations Mode Ops Mode programming 4 2 2 Programming Indexed CVs The QSI Quantum and QSI Quantum Titan sound decoders like sound decoders from certain other manufacturers use Indexed CVs to reduce the amount of memory needed to store Configuration Variables In this document an Indexed Configuration Variable CV will always be written in one of two forms Sing...

Page 33: ...DCC Systems DCC System Manufacturer Model Support 4 Digit Address Programming in Ops Mode Recommended 4 digit Address Programming Procedure Bachman EZ Command No Not recommended for use with Atlas Gold Series locomotives Bachman Dynamis No Use procedure in Section 4 2 3 4 or use Program Track CVP Products EasyDCC No Use procedure in Section 4 2 3 4 or use Program Track Digitrax Zephyr or Zephyr Xt...

Page 34: ...2 3 1 1 Put your locomotive on the main track and run it on DCC using address 3 or whatever other address you have programmed into the locomotive If you cannot determine the current DCC address of the locomotive transfer the locomotive to a DC or DCC powered Track and reset the Quantum System decoder using the Magnetic Wand Follow either the DC or the DCC magnetic wand reset procedure described in...

Page 35: ...ocedures for Short or Long Address Programming for Lenz and Certain Other DCC Systems that Do Not Normally Permit Address Programming on Main Line CV56 129 If you cannot program your Short or Long address in Service Mode and your Lenz or other DCC command station prevents you from setting either of these addresses in Ops Mode on the main line using CV1 or CV17 and CV18 use one of the following two...

Page 36: ...Listen to the value of CV18 that is spoken out by your locomotive If it is correct go to Step 6 if it is incorrect repeat Step 5 6 Verify that the address of your locomotive has been changed successfully by running it on the main line with the new address 4 2 4 Selecting a Value for CV29 CV29 is probably the second after the DCC address CVs most often programmed CV Moreover CV29 is also the most i...

Page 37: ...do the following Set CV49 to 0 54 Enter the desired System Volume in CV51 The System Volume can be set to any value between 0 no sound and 127 maximum volume The default System Volume is 127 Note In Operations Mode when you change the System Volume you will immediately hear the sound system operating at the new System Volume setting 4 2 8 Changing the Mute Volume Electronically CV51 1 To change th...

Page 38: ...me 15 Maximum Volume Dynamic Brake Fan 28 0 15 52 28 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Splitter Valve 57 29 0 15 52 29 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Air Dryer 57 30 0 15 52 30 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Coupler 34 0 15 52 34 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Air Brakes 37 0 15 52 37 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Alternate Horn 57 40 0 15 52 40 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume...

Page 39: ...w volume you have programmed 4 2 9 2 Changing Volumes of Prime Mover Sound Components CV127 PI SI Version 9 only QSI Version 9 firmware for the Quantum Titan sound decoder allows the user to change the volume of not only the prime mover but also some of the components making up this overall sound The sound components whose volumes may be set individually are Diesel Prime Mover volume at three diff...

Page 40: ...62 0 15 127 10 62 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Turbo1 Idle Volume 10 70 0 15 127 10 70 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Turbo1 Max RPM Volume 10 72 0 15 127 10 72 0 Minimum Volume 15 Maximum Volume Changing a component volume level requires setting both a Primary Index CV49 and Secondary Index CV50 If you are not familiar with QSI s indexed CV s please refer to Section 4 2 2 in this docume...

Page 41: ...comotive comes to a stop To enable or disable these Horn warning signals perform the following steps Set CV49 to 20 Set CV51 to 0 to disable all Horn Warning Signals or set CV51 to 17 to enable all three of the Horn Warning Signals listed above If you want to enable a different horn warning scenario from those specified above please refer to the definition of CV51 20 in the NMRA DCC Reference Manu...

Page 42: ...rogrammer or DecoderPro to speed match with 28 point speed curves Remember that you must set Bit 4 of CV29 to a binary 1 before you can use the 28 point speed table see Table 7 5 Quantum System Sounds66 Air Brakes When prototype train brakes are applied air is released from the brake pipes to reduce the pressure The more the pressure is reduced the greater the braking If you have a Gold Series loc...

Page 43: ...g Fans start When the Cooling Fans shut down you will hear the Louvers close Coupler To give you the most authentic coupler sounds QSI has identified three distinct types of coupler activity on prototype locomotives and incorporated them into the model The first is when the Coupler is Armed where you will hear the clanking sound of the coupler lift bar and coupler pin raising The next is the sound...

Page 44: ...locomotives to maintain a warm and ready locomotive with a minimum of fuel consumption The special Low Idle sound has a lower base throb and is less harsh than the normal idle Prime Mover Component Sounds In addition to the Turbo the Quantum Titan and Quantum Titan with ET sound decoders use separate sound channels for Exhaust Labored Exhaust Rod Clank and Generator for both PrimeMover1 and PrimeM...

Page 45: ...e have found that at least 20 to 25 percent of the problems with Gold Series locomotives that we receive for repair can be resolved simply by resetting the sound decoder Hence the very first step you take to resolve a problem should always be to reset the sound decoder in your locomotive With QSI sound decoders there are two ways to reset the decoder parameters 1 the DCC only reset described in Se...

Page 46: ...motive immediately after you hear Reset so that the manual volume adjustment procedure Section 6 2 2 below is not activated 6 2 1 2 Magnetic Wand Reset Procedure on a DCC Powered Track 1 Turn off all track power to your DCC powered layout 2 Set up the DCC system to run locomotive 3 If you have to turn your DCC system On to select locomotive 3 turn it Off after completing this step 3 Place your Atl...

Page 47: ... by most variable DC power packs and DCC systems If the track voltage exceeds 21 5 volts peak the motor drive circuit will automatically shut down and the locomotive will coast to a stop The Quantum System alerts you to the problem through a continuous series of Horn Hoots This built in safety feature protects both the Quantum electronics and the motor from excessive voltage 70 To restart your loc...

Page 48: ...uick Start Guide DC and DCC Operation of Atlas Gold Series Diesel Locomotives Equipped with QSI Sound Decoders Quantum Quantum Titan or Quantum Titan with ET Revision 1 7 06 November 2013 or later Packed with your locomotive or available for download from the Atlas website http www atlasrr com 2 DC Analog Reference Manual for QSI Quantum HO Equipped Locomotives Ver 4 0 or later Available for downl...

Page 49: ...hrottle Control and Locomotive Inertia Helper Type Normal loco Lead Loco Mid Helper End Helper Pusher Direction Normal Reversed Power Pack Programming V Max 12v V Start 8 5v Notch V max Power Pack Type Start Up with Magnetic Wand QSI QARC Operation 74 with QSI Quantum Engineer Controller Air Brakes Flanges Dynamic Brakes Coupler Sounds Diesel Extended Shut Down Extended Start Up Explicit Lighting ...

Page 50: ... digit address see Section 4 2 3 for programming information NMRA 0 255 0 75 CV18 0 255 0 CV19 Advanced Consist Address Address for operating an Advanced Consist see Section 5 2 3 in Ref 1 for programming information NMRA 1 127 0 CV21 Consist Mode Function Status 1 Specifies function keys F1 F8 enabled when loco addressed by its Consist number NMRA 0 255 0 CV22 Consist Mode Function Status 2 Speci...

Page 51: ...um Configuration settings QSI CV56 128 SI Reset Resets DCC parameters only analog parameters unchanged QSI CV56 255 SI Version Build Information Use this CV in Ops Mode to hear the locomotive Speak out information about its firmware QSI CV62 Auto CV Verbal Feedback Use to control Programming Verbal Acknowledgement and CV Numeric Readout QSI 1 enabled CV64 Verbal CV Inquiry Use to hear the locomoti...

Page 52: ...t with QSI 5 APPLICABLE LAW a United States If you acquire the PRODUCT in the United States Oregon State law governs the interpretation of the agreement and applies to claims for breach of it regardless of the conflict of laws principals b Outside United States If you acquire the product in any other country the laws of that country apply 6 INTELECTUAL PROPERTY NOTICE The PRODUCT Quantum Hardware ...

Page 53: ...Atlas User Manual Diesels with QSI Sound 53 52 13 January 2015 Decoders Quantum Quantum Titan or Quantum Titan with ET ...

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