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).
HOW TO WIRE THE DECODER
This decoder is equipped with a wire harness that has an N.M.R.A. 8 pin medium
plug on one end that simply plugs into a dcc ready
loco
, if you locomotive has a 9
pin JST decoder plug, simply unplug the wire harness of the decoder at the end
of the board and plug the decoder into the 9 pin receptacle. If your locomotive is
not dcc ready and does not have a decoder plug, use the following directions:
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 red decoder wire, and connect the left side pickup wires to the
black decoder wire. Connect the right motor terminal to the orange decoder wire,
then connect the left motor terminal to the grey decoder wire. Always use good
soldering techniques, and use shrink wrap to isolate the connections. The white
decoder wire is for the front headlight and the yellow decoder wire is for the
rear light. The blue decoder wire is the light common. The pink and green
decoder wires are for your accessory lights, use the blue decoder wire as the
common for these extra lights. 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 28
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. Note: The test track is not your 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. 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. This is why the test track is so important.
OPERATION
The decoder has 12 types of chuff sounds (6 single and 6 double). You can use
F24 to select them or F12 to turn the chuff off. With our unique double chuff
enable, (CV 122), you can also have 6 articulated chuff sounds. You can use
F19 to select 14 different whistles. With MRC Prodigy Advance
2
DCC which has
28 functions, you can easily setup and access all the decoder’s functions. With
all other DCC systems you have to use CV programming to setup the decoder.
If your locomotive has a Mars Light, use acc1 light for hook up. The Mars Light
flash rate can not be changed. If you want your locomotive to have a firebox
flicker, use acc 2 light for hook up. The firebox flicker rate can not be changed.
This decoder should work with a DC power pack. However, its performce is good
as good as in DCC and you can only have the default prime mover sounds. If you
want full control of all sounds on DC, please use the MRC Tech6 (item0001200) to
operate the decoder.
BACK EMF LOAD CONTROL (PID CONTROLLER)
This decoder is equipped with adjustable back EMF load control feature. It is a PID
closed loop feedback speed control. With back EMF load control the locomotive will
maintain its speed regardless of pulling up hill or driving down hill. You may program
the back EMF load control intensity, CV124, to a lower value to get less back EMF load
control. This will enable the locomotive to slow down during uphill travel like real
locomotive.
The PID controller contains three components: proportional gain (CV113); the
integral gain (CV114); and derivative gain (fixed). Designing (tuning) a PID
controller is a kind of “rocket science”. So optimized these gains at the factory
but still give the customer final adjustments. We recommend that you do not
change these settings. Too much gain may cause the motor to oscilate (become
unstable). Too little gain may cause slow response. Additional knowledge of PID
feedback control is required before attempting to adjust CV113 and CV114. If
CV113 and CV114 are programmed incorrectly, the locomotive will not run smothly.
Program CV125 to “1” will automatically restore the default PID controller settings.
If the loco does not run smothly after program CV125=1, program CV124=0 to
minimize the back EMF control.
Right side pickup
Front
light
Motor
Rear
light
Left side pickup
X X
X
X
X
X
Figure2. Diagram of test track
DCC base unit
Power supply
Test track
27 ohm resistor
Function
Idle/Moving
F0
Headlight on/off
F1
Bell on/off
F2
Whistle
F3
Mars light on/off (accy 1)
F4
Coupling 1
F5
Brake squeal (moving)
F6
Firebox flicker on/off (accy 2)
F7
Fire box open/close
F8
Sound on/off
F9
Air hose firing/uncoupling lever
F10
Water injector
F11
Blower hiss
F12
Chuff sound on/off with whistle always on
F13
Short air release
F14
Coupling 2
F15
Flange noise
F16
Shoveling
F17
Coal auger
F18
Safety valve air release
F19
Whistle type select (total 14 different ones)
F20
Bell rate change (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F21
Change bell volume (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F22
Change whistle volume
F23
Change chuff volume
F24
Chuff type select (total 6 types)
F25
Long air release
F26
Sand dropping
F27
Associated loco sound
F28
Conductor
