INSTALLATION
Remove the couplers and body shell from the chassis as per the Athearn Instruc-
tions. Make a note as to where each wire comes from and attaches to the OEM
circuit board installed on the chassis. Remove the black plastic clips from the OEM
circuit board that hold the wires to the board, (save these clips to re attach the
wires to the decoder). Remove the old board and discard. Install the sound
decoder in it’s place, and reattach the wires using the plastic clips to the decoder
using figure 1 as a guide. The speaker sits in the well on the rear of the chassis,
(see figure 2 final installation photo). Before reinstalling the body shell and
couplers, double check all wiring to make sure there are no wire strands shorting
across connection tabs of the decoder. After reinstalling the body shell and
couplers move the loco to a test track to check decoder installation.
Note- If installing this decoder into another type of locomotive. Make
sure that the locomotive is DCC ready or you have made sure to isolate
the wheel pick-ups, motor brushes, lights, etc., from the locomotive
chassis following N.M.R.A. guidelines for decoder installation.
figure 1 shows how to connect Athearn’s 1.5V lights.
SPEED TABLE CV67-CV94 FOR 28 SPEED STEPS
When CV29’s bit 4 is set to “1” it will use the speed table formed by CV67-
CV94 to control speed (motor voltage). It allows you to setup each speed for
all 28 speed steps. First, program CV29 to 18 for short addresses (1-127) or
program CV29 to 50 for long addresses (128-9999) to enable speed table
control. Then select throttle to 28 speed steps and run your loco at speed
step 1. Use program CV on the main to change CV67’s value (1-255) to adjust
step 1’s speed. The kick voltage, CV65 is only applied when the speed step
changes from 0 to 1. You should switch between 0 to 1 many times to check
step 1’s speed. When done with CV67, select speed step 2 and program
CV68. CV68’s value must be greater then CV67’s. When done with CV67-
CV94, use read back CV to make sure their values are in increasing order.
Note: When using MRC Prodigy DCC to program addresses it will automatically
disable the speed table (set CV29’s bit 4 to “0”). Programming CV125 to 1 will
also disable the speed table and re-program CV67-CV94 to a default linear
speed setting.
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 test track is not a Program Track.
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.
The decoder has diesel prime mover sound on/ off feature. You can use F12 to
turn on/off it. 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. For other types of
DCC systems you have to use CV programming 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.
There are many more features available with this decoder. Please refer to the
CV Chart to explore all features of this 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 MRC Blackbox (item #0001050)
for DC operation will allow you to control all of the sounds in your sound
equipped locomotives. The MRC Blackbox is easy to setup and use.
Note: Bell, Dynamic Brake and Rail Wheel Clack cannot play at the same time. If you
activate 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.
figure 2 final decoder installation.
DCC base unit
Power supply
Test track
27 ohm resistor
Figure 3. Diagram of test track
Function
Idle/Moving
F0
Headlight on/off, rule 17 or cycle of dim, bright, off (CV #117)
F1
Bell on/off
F2
Horn
F3
Mars light on/off with air release
F4
Uncoupling lever
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
Prime diesel mover sound on/ off
F13
Air release
F14
Coupling
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 34 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
Air release
F25
Flange noise 2
F26
Flange noise 3
F27
Sand drop
F28
Air release
Front
light
Mars
light
pick up
Front light
Mars light
pick up
motor
motor
com
com
pick up
Rear llight
acc2 light
pick up
Motor
Rear
Front