TEST
All MRC decoders have been factory programmed with address #3, 28/128
speed steps and maximum top voltage. After you have finished your decoder
installation, you are ready to test it. Never run the installed decoder on your
layout without first passing the test. You may damage the decoder if it is not
wired correctly or if you have not properly isolated the motor and the lights.
Put the loco on the test track. Select the Run Mode of your DCC system and
select or acquire address #3. Move up throttle and the loco should move
forward. Push the light button and the front light of your loco should turn on.
Push the reverse direction button. The loco should move backward and the
rear light should turn on. The loco cannot get normal speed because there is a
20-ohm protection resistor in the test track. If you are able to turn on/off the
front and rear lights and you are able to move the loco forward and reverse,
you did a great job. Congratulations! Do not test the loco on the test track
for an extended period of time. To do so will cause the protection resistor
to 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 your decoder. This is why making a test track is
so important.
OPERATION
The AD324 decoder can be operated in either one of two ways:
1. Normal light/functions:
Headlights are directional and are controlled by your DCC system’s light
button (F0). Decoder functions (accessory lights) are normal on/off
controlled by F1-F4 buttons.
2. MRC Light Effects:
All MRC Light Effects have adjustable flash rates.
A. “Rule 17” directional headlights: Headlights on/off (F0). One light is bright
to indicate direction of travel, the other is dim. Uses normal headlight
wiring (white, yellow and blue common wire).
B. Ditch lights: Using decoder accessory function wire (F1-green and
F2-purple) and blue common wire.
F1 button: Double clicking F1 button turns ditch lights steady on or off,
still giving you independent operation of F1 function such as
bell sound.
F2 button: Using function button F2, ditch lights will flash fifteen (15) times.
F3 button: Using function button F3, the ditch lights will flash ten (10) times.
If your DCC system has an F5 button, this can be used to turn ditch
lights steady on/off instead of double clicking the F1 button.
The following two MRC Light Effects (C & D) can be used separately or
together and are controlled by function button F4.
C. Strobe light: Using decoder accessory function wire (F3-brown) and blue
common wire.
D. Mars light:Using decoder accessory function wire (F4-pink) and blue
common wire.
INSTALLATION
It is quite a challenge to install a decoder into a “G” scale 2-motor locomotive. 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 locomotives. The terminals of
the motor(s), light(s) and smoke unit are directly connected to the wheel pick-ups.
Each type of loco has its own method of electrical pick-up and distribution. The
connection between the wheels, motor(s), light(s) and smoke unit could be wires,
clips, the body or chassis, a PC board or any other type of conductor. Figure out
your loco’s electrical system and how to disconnect (isolate) the motor(s), light(s)
and the smoke unit.
Figure 1. Connection of standard locomotive.
Note: The ‘X’ marks indicate
where to disconnect (isolate).
The decoder will be inserted between the wheel pick-ups and the motor(s). The ‘X’
marks in Figure 1 show you where to disconnect (isolate). Please observe the
polarity of both motors in dual motored locomotives so both motors operate in the
same direction.
The G scale decoder has 2 sets of red wires, black wires, orange wires, and gray
wires to make the wiring of your dual motored locomotive easier. You could use just
one of each color or both, depending upon which is easier for you.
Figure 2 shows you how to wire the decoder. After disconnecting the motor
terminals from pick-ups, connect the red wire to the right side pickup and the black
wire to the left side pick up. Connect the orange wire to the motor terminal that
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 two blue wires are 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 very useful
when you find that it is hard to isolate one of the light terminals from the pickup.
Wiring the bulb this way will also make the light dimmer. If your loco has only a
front light, you should connect the white and the yellow wires together.
Smoke units draw a lot of current! If your locomotive comes equipped with
a smoke unit, do not attempt to power it off any of the decoder functions.
Wire it directly to the wheel pick-ups for constant smoke emission
MAKE A TEST TRACK
Before you start with your decoder installation, we strongly recommend building a
test track that uses a 20-ohm resistor to limit current. Only test your installed
decoder on the test track. The test track will prevent any damage due to an
incorrectly wired decoder.
Figure 3. Diagram of test track
Right side pickup
Front
light
Motor
Rear
light
Left side pickup
X X
X
X
X
X
Figure 2. AD324 wiring diagram
DCC base unit
Power supply
Test track
20 ohm resistor
