INSTALLATION
It is quite a challenge to install a decoder into a loco. You should have some
basic electrical knowledge and soldering skills. If you do not have the above
requirements, please ask the dealer for help in installation.
Figure 1 shows the electrical circuit of most standard locos. The terminals of the
motor and light(s) are directly connected to the wheel pickup. Each type of loco
has its own method of electrical pickup and distribution. The connection between
the wheels, motor and light(s) could be wires, clips, the body or chassis, PC
board or any other type of conductor. First, figure out your loco’s electrical
wiring and how to disconnect (isolate) the motor and light(s).
Figure 1. Connection of standard locomotive.
Note: The ‘X’ marks indicate
where to disconnect (isolate).
The decoder will be inserted between the wheel pickup and the motor.
Each manufacturer and loco may have different ways of decoder
installation. There is no standard rule for installing decoders. It is
always better to consult the loco manufacturer on how to install a
decoder in that particular loco.
Figure 2 shows how to wire the decoder. After disconnecting the motor
terminals from the pickup, connect the red wire to the right side pickup and the
black wire to the left side pickup. Connect the orange wire to the motor terminal
that was originally connected to the right pickup. Connect the gray wire to the
motor’s other terminal. Connect the front light to the blue wire and the white wire.
Connect the rear light to the blue wire and the yellow wire.
The blue wire is the common terminal for lights and accessory functions. You
may use the black wire or the red wire to replace the blue wire. This is useful
when isolating one of the light terminals from the pickup is difficult. Wiring the
bulb this way will make the light dimmer. If your loco has only a front light, you
should connect the white and the yellow wires together. If your locomotive has a
NMRA 8 pin receptacle, remove the dummy plug. Match first pin and plug in the
decoder.
MAKING A TEST TRACK
Before you begin decoder installation, we strongly recommend building a test
track with a 27 ohm resistor to limit current. Only test your installed decoder on
the test track. The test track may prevent damage from an incorrectly installed
decoder.
The program track is NOT a test track. The program main track does not use a
current limiting resistor. So it can’t protect an incorrectly installed decoder.
TESTING
All MRC decoders have been factory programmed with address #3, 28/128
speed steps and maximum top voltage.
Never run the installed decoder on
your layout without first successfully running on test track.
Otherwise,
you may damage the decoder if it is not wired correctly or if you have not
properly isolated the motor and lights.
To test, place the loco on the test track. Select the “Run” mode of your DCC
system and select or acquire address #3. Move up the throttle and the loco
should move forward. Push the light button [F0] and the front headlight should
come on. Change the direction of the loco and the loco should change direction
and the rear headlight (if equipped) should come on. The loco cannot reach full
speed, due to the resistor. If all above occurs, you passed the test. Congratula-
tions!
Do not run the loco for an extended period of time on the test track
or the resistor will overheat.
If your installed decoder does not pass the test, find the problem, correct it and
test it again. As long as you test the decoder on the test track there is little chance
of damaging the decoder. That is why the test track is so important. Also do not
confuse a test track with a program track. A program track does not use the
current limiting resistor. Sound decoders need full power to the program track to
install all programming instructions.
OPERATION
This decoder can be operated with the diesel sounds on or off. It can also be
used in an Electric Type Traction Loco such as Trolley or GG-1 by turning off
diesel sounds. To turn off the diesel prime mover sounds, program CV #122 with
value 0.
If your DCC system supports higher functions, F18 and F19, you can use these
functions to change the type of bell sound, (F18), or horn sound, (F19) on the
move without having to go into “OPS mode” programming or by changing CV
values.
This decoder supports the new NMRA protocols that use up to function 28, (F28).
Right now only MRC Prodigy2 has 28 functions.
There are many more program features available with this decoder. Please refer
to the CV Chart to explore other features of the decoder. If you don’t use MRC
Prodigy
2
you may not be able to access all the features of the decoder.
Note: Bell, Dynamic Brake and Rail Wheel Clack cannot play at the same time. If you
active the Bell sound [F1], while either the Dynamic Brake or Rail Wheel Clack
sounds are activated, the Bell sound will override the other 2 sounds. Rail Wheel
Clack cannot play while the loco is in idle. When you turn off Dynamic Brake and
Rail Wheel Clack sound there will be one second delay.
LIGHT EFFECT PROGRAMMING CHART FOR CV#118/119
You would program CV #118/119 to choose the desired light effect. CV118 for
ACC1 and CV119 for ACC2. For ditch light both CV118 and CV119 must to 0.
DIESEL SOUNDS CHART
Right side pickup
Front
light
Motor
Rear
light
Left side pickup
X X
X
X
X
X
Figure 3. Diagram of test track
DCC base unit
Power supply
Test track
27 ohm resistor
Function
Idle /M oving
F0
Headligh on/off
Double click F0)
Sound on/of f
F1
Bell on/of f
F2
Horn
F3
A ir release sound/A ccessory light #1 on/of f
F4
Coupling sound
F5
Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6
Dynamic brake on/of f
F7
Uncoupling lever
F8
A ir hose firing
F9
Engine cooling f an
F10
Rail w heel clack (only moving)
F11
Traction air compressor
F12
Sound on/off
F13
Short air release/accessory light function #2 on/of f
F14
Coupling crash
F15
A ir pump
F16
A ssociated loco sound
F17
short air release
F18
Bell type select (use F1 to turn off bell af ter selecting)
F19
Demo sample horns if upgraded
F20
Bell ring rate
F21
Change bell volume (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F22
Change horn volume
F23
Change diesel rumble volume
F24
Dynamic brake volume
F25
Brake squeal volume
F26
safety valve pop
F27
Safety valve pop
F28
Short air release
CV118/119 value
ACC#1/ACC#2 Light effect
0
Ditch light
1
Gyra light
2
Marslight
3
Prime strato light
4
Single strobe light
5
Double strobe light
6
on/off
Figure 2. 0001657 decoder wiring diagram
1
orange
black
red
orange
gray
yellow
white
right
blue
headlight
rear light
black
left
black
2
0
mm speaker
with cap
