User Manual
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 install the decoder.
Your Kato SD40-2 Locomotive comes from the factory for easy installation of our
sound decoder, but there are a few steps needed to complete your installation.
There are four wires coming into the OEM PCB from the wheel pick-ups that are
inserted into clips on each side of the PCB, gently slide the wires out of these
clips. Remove the two screws that hold down the original PCB and set aside,
you will need these to secure the sound decoder. The two motor contact tabs
are latched to the original PCB through two holes in the PCB. Gently squeeze
these to release, and remove the PCB. Install the sound decoder in place of the
PCB, slipping the motor tabs through the holes in the decoder board, and then
secure the decoder with the two screws previously removed. There is a solder
pad on each side of the decoder, ( see diagram), where the four pick up wires
must be soldered to, do not mix up the left side wires from the right side wires.
Or you can unsolder the pickup clips from original PCB and install them on the
sound decoder. Then install the four pickup wires to the clips. Make sure the four
pickup wires do not touch any other parts of the decoder. To install the speaker
inside the locomotive, turn the chassis upside down. Slide the fuel tank castings
apart, and place the included speaker in position. thread the two speaker wires
up through the chassis and over the decoder. Replace the fuel tank castings.
There are two pins on the ends of the speaker wires that are plugged into the
decoder board, (see diagram), polarity does not matter. After testing the
installation, replace the body shell.
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 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. 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 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 two types of diesel prime movers. You can use F12 to select
them. It can also be operated with the diesel sounds off. So it can be used in an
Electric Type Traction Loco such as Trolley or GG-1. You can use F19 to select
16 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 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. The MRC Blackbox is easy to setup and use.
Note: Bell, Dynamic Brake, and Rail Wheel Clack cannot play at the same time.
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
Motor tabs Pickup solder pads Speaker plugs
Figure 2. 0001802 decoder wiring diagram
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 light on/off
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 w ill shut dow n / notch dow n w hile CV122=3
F9 Engine cooling fan / notch up while CV122=3
F10 Rail wheel clack (only moving)
F11 Traction air compressor
F12 Change prime mover type ( 2 plus off)
F13 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 adjustm ent)
F22
Change horn volume
F23
Change diesel rumble volume
F24 Coupling 3
F25 Long air release
F26
flange noise 3
F27 Loco associated noise
F28
Ditch lights flash enable/disable (CV121) with Air release