INSTALLATION
It is quite a challenge to install the decoder in your loco. You should have some
basic electrical knowledge. If you do not have, please ask the dealer for help in
installation.
Figure 1 shows the electrical circuit of most standard locos. The terminals of the
motor and lights are directly connected to the wheel pickup. Each type of loco
has its own method of electrical pickup and distribution. There is no standard
rule for installing decoders. It is always better to consult the loco manufacturer
on how to install a decoder in your particular loco. First, figure out your loco’s
electrical wiring and how to disconnect (isolate) the motor and light(s). Label all
wires before you disconnect them.
Figure 1. Connection of standard locomotive.
Note: The ‘X’ marks indicate
where to disconnect (isolate).
Figure 2. How to wire the decoder.
The decoder will be inserted between the wheel pickup and the motor. After
disconnecting the motor terminals from the pickup, connect the right side pickup
wires to the green terminal # 1. and connect the left side pickup wires to the
green terminal # 4. Connect the right motor terminal to the green terminal # 2.
Connect the left motor terminal to the green terminal # 3. The wires must be
stripped 5 mm and well twisted and tinned with solder before you connect them
to the green terminals. Make sure there is no short circuit among these four
terminals. Connect the front and rear lights to the headlight output. The middle
terminal is common. Connect the accessory lights to the accessory output. Again
the middle terminal is common. Use double-sided sticky tape to place the decoder
in a safe place. The decoder can’t touch any metal part or bare wires. The 40
mm speaker should have an enclosure made for a better sound quality.
If you have a 1.5V bulb or LED, you should connect a 2k ohm resistor in series to
one of the leads to limit current.
MAKING A TEST TRACK
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 will
reduce the chance of damaging your decoder due to an incorrectly installed
decoder.
TESTING
The decoder has been programmed to address #3, 28/128 speed steps. To test,
place the loco on the test track. Select address #3 and 28 speed step. Move up
the throttle and the loco should move. Push the light button [F0] and headlight
should come on. Change the direction of the loco and the loco should change
direction. The loco cannot reach full speed, due to the resistor. If all the above
occurs, you passed the test. Congratulations! Do not run the loco for an
extended period of time on the test track or the resistor will overheat.
I
f 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. This is why the test track is so important.
OPERATION
The decoder has start up and shut down features. If the loco was previously
shut down you have to start up the engine. Press any function key to start up
the engine before operating the loco. To shut down the engine you must bring the
loco to idle and then press F8 three times.
Double click F0 will turn on/off sound (CV49). You can’t turn off horn which is
always on. The decoder has two types of diesel prime movers. You can use F12
to select them or select diesel off (CV121). So it can be used in an Electric Type
Traction Loco such as Trolley or GG-1. You can use F19 to select 34 different
horn sounds and use F18 to select 8 different bell sounds. With MRC Prodigy
Advance
2
DCC which has 28 functions, you can easily setup and access all the
decoder’s functions. If not, you may not be able to access all the features of the
decoder. And you have to use the CV program to setup the decoder.
The decoder default is set to automatic notch. You can program CV122 to 3 for
manual notch for realistic operation. And then use F9 to notch up and use F8 to
notch down.
If your loco has flywheels you can turn on the back emf (load control) feature by
programming CV124 to 1. Otherwise don’t turn on back emf.
There are many more program features available with this decoder. Please refer
to the CV Chart to explore other features of the decoder.
The decoder can also be operated by a regular DC power pack. This will give
you synchronized engine sounds only. If you wish to enjoy the full array of
sound functions using your DC power pack, the unique MRC Blackbox (item
#0001050) for DC operation will allow you to control all of the sounds in your
sound equipped locomotives. And, the MRC Blackbox is easy to setup and use.
Note: Bell, Dynamic Brake, and Rail Wheel Clack cannot play at the same time.
LIGHT EFFECT PROGRAMMING CHART FOR CV#118/119
Program CV117 to choose 3 different modes of headlight effects (0=normal
directional, 1=off/dim/bright cycle, 2=rule 17). Both ACC1 and ACC2 has 7
different accessory lights effects. 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 be 0. In ditch light mode, use F3 to turn on/off and use F28 to enable/
disable flash. When you blow the horn the ditch lights will flash. The ditch lights
will remain flashing for several seconds after horn is off.
Acc1 light
common
ACC2 light
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
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. 0001818 decoder wiring diagram
1
2
3
4
right side pickup
motor’s right terminal
motor’s left terminal
left side pickup
headlight
common
rear light
speaker
Function
Idle/Moving
F0
Headlight on/off or rule 17 or cycle of dim, bright, off
Double F0
Double click F0 within 1 second will turn on/off sound (CV49)
F1
Bell on/off
F2
Horn
F3
Ditch lightg on/off or Acc1 light on/off with air release
F4
Coupling 1
F5
Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6
Dynamic brake on/off
F7
Air hose firing/uncoupling lever
F8
Click 3 times during idle will shut down / notch down while CV122=3
F9
Engine cooling fan / notch up while CV122=3
F10
Rail wheel clack (only moving)
F11
Traction air compressor
F12
Change prime diesel mover type
F13
Acc2 light on/off'short air release
F14
Coupling 2
F15
Air pump
F16
Associated loco sound
F17
flange noise 1
F18
Change bell type (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F19
Horn type select (total 16 different horns)
F20
Associated loco sound
F21
Change bell volume (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F22
Change horn volume
F23
Change diesel rumble volume
F24
Coupling 3
F25
Long air release
F26
flange noise 3
F27
sand drop
F28
Ditch lights flash enable/disable (CV121) with Air release
