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 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 locomotovive, if you locomo-
tive 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 wires
of the decoder 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 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. 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 24 types of chuff sounds. You can use F24 to select them or
F12 to turn the chuff off,with the whistle always remaining on. With our unique
double chuff enable, (CV 122), you can also have 12 articulated chuff sounds.
You can use F19 to select 34 different whistles, and use F18 to select 7
different bell sounds. 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 acc 1 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 also features easy re-mapping. This feature lets you easily switch
3 functions to different buttons if you desire. See the enclosed CV chart for CV
numbers- 37, 39 and 42.
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.
Note: If your loco at low speed binds or stops in a curve, or climbing a grade
repeatedly pressing F7 will give little kick start boosts to the loco, until it is able to
sustain the low speed setting on it’s own.
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
Figure 2. 0001823 decoder
Function Idle/Moving
F0 Headlight on/off
F1 Bell on/of f
F2 Whistle
F3 Air release/ mars light on/off (acy 1)
F4 Coupling
F5 Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6 Conductor w hile idle/'Rail w heel clack w hile moving
F7 Fire box open and close-Kick start boost, (CV 65)*
F8 Injector
F9 Metal crank sound on/off (moving), steam associated sound (idle)
F10 Water injector
F11 Blow er hiss
F12 Sound on/off (w histle alw ays on)
F13 Short air release/ firebox flicker on/off (acy 2)
F14 Air hose firing/uncoupling lever
F15 Flange noise
F16 Shoveling
F17 Coal auger
F18 Change bell type (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F19 Whistle type select (total 34 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 w histle volume
F23
Change chuff volume
F24 Chuff type select (total 24 types)
F25
Air release
F26
Sand dropping
F27
Associated loco sound
F28
Associated loco sound