| STR Updated 7 Feb. 2009
THE SCALED TIN RAIL, Inc.
97 Shoshone Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Voice: 928/525-0755
Email: Sales/Service
Fax: 928/525-1091, Call ahead to turn on.
Art Boynton
Business Hours: 9 AM - 2 PM, M-F .
All times are in Mountain Standard Time, (it never changes in AZ).
During the seasonal "Daylight Savings Time", local time is the same as PDT, Pacific Daylight Time.
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Repairs & Upgrades for all QSI Designed
Conventional Train Control Sound Systems
CONTENTS
1) Low batteries and transformer spikes lead to all kinds of erratic problems
2) Re-initialization of QS-1, -1.1, -2 , -2P and MTH's PO, PP, & PD boards require service
3) Re-initialization of QS-3000 boards can be done by user
4) Enhancements of QSI Designed Sound System Power Supplies
Moved to Sound Systems upgrades.
5) Full service available for your loco
6) STR Repair Warranty requires Power Guard or Power Programmer protection
7) Sound board upgrades
8) MTH Proto Sound board upgrades
9) After Market Sound Board Upgrades
For sections 10 - 14, go to "Sound Sets" and click on "Sound Set Family Features"
10) New features provided by QS-2P
11) Additional features provided by QS-3000, go to "Sound Sets" and click on "Sound Set Family Features"
12) Transformer Operated Coil Couplers, including Independently Controlled Dual Coil couplers
13) For the MTH ProtoSounds1 equipped locos
14) For all upgraded 3 board systems
Section 15 immediately follows Section 9.
15) MTH Automatic battery disconnect for 1994 ProtoSounds1 boards
16) Hi Current option for all DC motored locos
17) Master-slave lash-up for 2 & 3 board systems
18) Remote coil coupler/directional light in slaved unit
19) Marker light power upgrade to constant-on for 3 board systems
20) QSI Warranty repair
21) QSI non Warranty repair
22) Refurbished Replacement Boards
23) MTH early diesel speed reduction
24) MTH Parts
25) Difficult installations: Weaver, Right-of-Way, 3rd Rail
1) Low Batteries & Transformer Spikes Create Problems
Erratic operation, sound system acts in strange ways:
Sound boards are most susceptible to spikes when the battery is low, usually from lack of recent recharging, or getting old and not being able to hold a charge. There are also times when the spikes are so strong that even a fully charged battery cannot keep the sound board immune to damaging spikes.
Link-dead batteries typically have a shelf/operating life of about 3 years.
Loaded voltage, making sounds, with power just turned off, must be greater than or equal to 8.4 volts. For locos that have been without power of more than 6 months, remove & charge battery for 14 hr before using. See the battery tests at bottom of the Comments on the May 2005 Service Flyer Synopsis {Lori place a link here to that flyer}
Ni-Cad batteries average 1000 recharge cycles to failure.
Nickel-Metal Hydroxide batteries average 500 recharge cycles to failure.
The BCR (Battery Component Replacement) is expected to last 20 + years. It can be used safely only with the ProtoSounds1 QSI systems, which require an Upgrade, included in purchase. $24.95
Do not use with the QSI 3 board After Market systems.
2) Re-initialization of 233 & 237 uP Sound Boards:
Required to restore erratic locos to correct operating order. The underlying cause is either battery failure or transformer spikes.
Repeated spiking will also cause long term degeneration of the electronics. The 35 volt filter caps. will eventually succumb (premature failure) to these all-to-frequent 80-90 Volt spikes.
Note: Power Guard is designed to snub all damaging spikes to an acceptably low level.
The various ProtoSounds 1, Proto One, Proto Plus and Proto Deluxe boards, and all QS-1, QS1.1, QS-2 & QS-2P Sound Boards need to go to a Service Center for re-initialization.
Re-initialization of sound board, plus return shipping: $15 + return shipping.
Wrap removed top board in paper and pack snugly in a box and send to STR along with payment.
3) Re-initialization of QS-3000 sound boards:
The QS-3000 can be re-initialized by the user.
See page 105 of the QS3000 User Manual: ?Full System Restore.
4) Enhancements of Power Supplies:
Moved to Sound System Upgrades.
5) Full Service available for your loco:
Stumped with your loco's erratic behavior and don't want to pull the top board?
Send diesel loco or steam tender to STR for a complete checkout of the electronics, $45 plus return shipping. All board repairs and wiring corrections are included (except cables with plugs). New batteries are $10. ea.
Send loco as is using original box.
OR Remove the shell and keep it and the original box at home. Wrap the chassis (with the electronics) in paper, followed by bubble wrap of at least one inch thick padding all around. Place in a heavy cardboard box and fill any empty spaces with plastic foam "peanuts" or other cushioning filler. Note: Foam rubber is too stiff. Make sure that any exposed motor flywheels cannot be bumped against anything hard.
Costs of restoring good electronics:
Diesels, need only the chassis. $35 + return shipping
Steamers, usually need only the tender's chassis. $45 + return shipping
Additional charges will be incurred for replacing parts or boards.
6) STR Repair Warranty:
To make the one year warranty valid for new or re-initialized sound systems, the user must
have a QSI Power Guard/Programmer connected to the track where the loco is operated/tested. For re-initialized boards, the battery must also test good.
Note: Neither the MTH Z-750 in the yellow box nor the MRC O27 is acceptable Period.
Power Guard: One required for each transformer output that will operate trains with electronics in them: $86.
Power Programmer: Provides automatic location of desired Reset state and has clean Horn & Whistle functions. Power Guard is built in. Same transformer requirement as the Power Guard:
$99.
7) Sound Board Upgrades:
Upgrades are available for most MTH ProtoSounds1, and the QSI 2, QSI's 3-board sound systems:
Sound boards having the 237 micro-processor can be upgraded to a QS-2Plus.
QS-2P opens up all of the Reset States, enables correct operation in a Lionel TMCC environment set to Conventional Operation, and provides logic signals for independent transformer operation of two coil couplers.
The MTH 1994 thru mid '95 ProtoSounds1 equipped locos have the 233. From mid '95 on they have the 237, as well as the QS-2s. The Proto Plus & Proto Deluxe I & II,.
QS-1s & QS-1.1s have the 233. Most of these units must have the board replaced to upgraded to a 237.
MTH Locomotives made with the 233 micro Processor are:
Challenger, Alco PA (1st & 2nd runs), C30-7, USAR pacific, SD-60-M, GP-9,
Y6B Articulated Steam, F-3 Diesel, Weaver Samhongsa Hudsons, GP-30, SD-40, FM H10-44, SD-45, SD-9.
To determine which number you have, use an Exacto knife to peel back the patent label on the micro-processor and look for the inline numbers which includes these three numbers in sequence.
Upgrade of a 233 equipped sound board to 237: $50.
Replacement of a non upgrade able 233 equipped sound board to QS-2P:
When available. New: $115. Used: $50.
QS-2p chip of your choice: $35 + $15 for re-initialization to accommodate the new software.
The other upgrade path, which takes one to the present production level, is done by replacing the existing sound board with a QS-3000. This provides one with all the latest features available in QSI?s AC on-board sound system. (for all QSI sound systems, including MTH, 3rd-Rail, Weaver etc.): $119.
QSI Reverse unit equipped locos (MTH, Weaver, Right-of-Way, Lionel, etc.) require a 3 board QS-3000 system, installed: $251.
Or a 2 board system, installed $250 - $300.
Coil couplers are additional. See list below. (§ 7, 8, 9)
Don?t let that little MTH horn board fool you into thinking that you have a ProtoSounds1 two board system. If there is no Bell, Chuff, Diesel motor, or neutral sounds, it is not a QSI sound system.
8) MTH Sound Board upgrades:
The various MTH sound board upgrades will contain the same basic sounds as the original locos, along with the added performance and sounds offered in the chosen retail release.
9) QSI After Market Sound Board upgrades:
Purchasers can select from any of the 39 QS-2P or 35 QS-3000 after market sound sets.
Go to "Sounds Sets" and click on "Sounds Sets, QS2p & S3000".
10) thru 14), go to "Sound Sets" and click on "Sound Set Family Features"
15) Automatic battery disconnect for 1994 MTH ProtoSounds1 locos:
The 1994 ProtoSound 1 had a battery switch to turn On ? Off the battery. Upgrade consists of installing parts in mfg. defined locations on the bottom board. No more switching the battery on and off!
Locomotives included are: Challenger, Alco PA, C30-7, USAR Pacific, SD-60-M, GP-9, Y6B Articulated Steam, F-3 Diesel, and some Weaver Samhongsa Hudsons. $35
16) Hi Current option for all DC motored locos:
Increase the available continuous motor current!
DCRUs and ProtoSounds1 power supply boards can be upgraded to increase the motor current capacity from 2.5 Amps to either 4 or 6 Amps.
Eliminates board overheating and operational failures that disappear after cooling down!
4 Amp upgrade: Increase train length from 5 to 10+ easy rolling passenger cars or from 10 to 20+ easy rolling freight cars/loco
6 Amp upgrade: Increase train length from 5 to 20+ easy rolling passenger cars or from 10 to 40+ easy rolling freight cars/loco
Subtract 1.5 passenger cars for each dummy loco towed: $36.
The other alternative is to add additional powered locos. When a consist has all locos equipped with QSI Sound Systems, be they AM or PS1, at either the 2p or 3K level, you can create Master (Forward), Mid slave (Mid helper) and End slave (End helper) configurations for a truly uniquely controlled operating experience. In addition to the running, this also allows the operator to make up and tear down loco consists with transformer control, making operating much more prototypical.
17) Master-slave lash-up: For both 2 and 3 board systems:1
Master-slave lash-up requires QSI reverse unit in 2nd unit:
Powered B units or other lash-together of 2 powered units using one sound system:
Installation of 4 wire plugged cable to lock in the slaved unit: $29.
For dummy unit pass thru wiring: $14.
Your choice of mounting:
1) Male plug strapped to the coupler.
2) Passed thru a hole in the cab end.
Diaphragms: Hide connecting wires: F-3s, Alcos, E-8s, etc. Pr. $5.
Reverse unit for B units not having one:
AC motor(s), ACRU-LP, installed: $47.
DC motor(s), DCRU-WD, installed: $50.
18) Remote coil coupler/directional headlight:
Remote coil coupler and/or directional headlight (DC motors only) can also be provided for on the far end of the loco consist, with a 4 wire cable. First cable, with 1.5 Volt lamp, installed:
DC motored unit, 4 wire, (your coil coupler is assumed), with 1.5 volt lamp: $34.
AC motored unit, 2 wire, coil coupler power only, for your coil coupler: $17.
For dummy unit pass thru wiring, DC, 4 wires: $24.
For dummy unit pass thru wiring, AC, 2 wires: $12.
Send all required chassis and cabs (if drill-thru is chosen) for installation of the cables.
For both cables ordered at the same time, 6 or 8 pin connectors may be used.
19) Marker Light Power Upgrade for 3 board systems:
Marker lights powered from 3 board systems can be upgraded to be on during power interruptions, and automatically shut off when the sound system shuts down: $15.
Marker light power added to ACRUs or DCRUs: $10.
LED's or 1.5 Volt GoR can be powered by the Marker Light supply. Please specify.
Default is LEDs. Must specify for Grain O Rice lamps.
For LEDs, the Sound Board Overhead Blinking Light output can be set to be always on, on in reverse, or blinking.
20) QSI Warranty Repair:
STR will repair the unit and return it shipping pre-paid. If damage shows that the customer violated Warranty requirements, the customer will be charged the Non Warranty rate.
21) QSI NON Warranty Repair:
Customer will pay repair costs & shipping on non-warranty repairs.
MTH warranties are NOT honored for any MTH ProtoSounds1 locos. Contact an MTH dealer.
STR product and/or repair warranties are good for 1 year from date of purchase. Batteries not included.
WARRANTY IS VOIDED BY OPERATING PRODUCT WITHOUT A QSI POWER GUARD OR QSI POWER PROGRAMMER, AND/OR BEING Operated WITH A BAD BATTERY.
22) Refurbished Replacement Boards:
Replacement 1.0 or 1.1 boards, boards are being recalled by a $10 discount towards the purchase of a QS3000 board.
Replacement QS-2 boards, when available (237 chip): $50
Replacement QS-3000 boards: $75 - exchange, ea.
ProtoSounds 1 bottom boards: $40.
23) MTH early Diesel Speed Reductions:
Contact Timkos Repair Depot, 349 Grange Hall Road, Beavercreek, OH 45430, 937/429-1461, FTimko@SBCGlobal.net
24) MTH Parts:
STR is an MTH parts dealer. We can usually get the parts you need when you have difficulties.
25) Difficult Installations are a specialty:
Weaver:
QS-2P or 3000 sound systems complete with dual coil couplers
installed in the 0-6-0 and 0-4-0 switch engines.
Right-of-Way:
QS-3000 sound systems installed in the Shay and other tight locos.
Sunset Models 3rd-Rail:
QS-3000 sound system upgrades available for most QSI OEM sound systems, except triple chuff.
QS-3000 sound systems in the Zephyrs.
QS-3000 sound systems in the Vanderbilt tenders.
STR does NOT install QSI coil couplers in early 3rd Rail locos.
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