User Manual
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 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 Select four prime diesel mover types and diesel off
F13 Air release
F14
Coupling
F15 Air pum p
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
Associated loco sound
F27 Sand drop
F28
Air release
INSTALLATION
Your new MRC 0001660 Sound Decoder will virtually “drop-in” to a Life-Like C
Liner N scale diesel locomotive. Although easy, please follow instructions carefully.
Remove the locomotive body following the instructions. Remove the original circuit
board, and head light assembly. Then, using electrical or equiv plastic tape,
carefully tape the chassis in the areas as indicated (See fig 1) to isolate the
decoder from the chassis. This must be done to prevent damage to the
decoder. Gently bend the 2 sets of motorbrush contact pins on the decoder
outward and slide the decoder into the chassis as in figure 2. Then use a hobby
knife or equivalent to spread the pins around the motor brush the motor contact
plates, (fig. 3).
MAKING A TEST TRACK
When you complete the 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.
TEST
All MRC decoders have been factory programmed with address #3, 28/128
speed steps and maximum top voltage. Never run the installed decoder on
your layout without first successfully running on test track. Otherwise,
you may damage the decoder if it is not wired correctly or if you have not
properly isolated the motor, chassis and lights.
To test, place the loco on the test track. Select the “Run” mode of your DCC
system and select or acquire address #3. Move up the throttle and the loco
should move forward. Push the light button [F0] and the front headlight should
come on. Change the direction of the loco and the loco should change direction
and the rear headlight (if equipped) should come on. The loco cannot reach full
speed, due to the resistor. If all above occurs, you passed the test. Congratula-
tions!
If your installed decoder does not pass the test, find the problem, correct it and
test it again.
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.
Double click F0 will turn on/off sound (CV49). You can’t turn off horn which is
always on. The decoder has four types of diesel prime movers, plus “off”. You
can use F12 to select this feature or use CV 123. 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 your DCC System is limited in functions or can not
program CV’s you may not be able to access all the features of this decoder.
With some DCC Systems you will have to use CV programming to set up 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 program 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 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.
Note2: when CV122=3 (manual notch up/down, F8 will notch down and F9 will
notch up.
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 in use, 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.
DCC base unit
Power supply
Test track
27 ohm resistor
Fig3. Diagram of test track
Fig. 1
Fig. 2 Fig. 3
Fig. 4 Completed installation
apply tape