MRC 0001829 User manual

HO Gauge DC/DCC Diesel Sound Decoder
Fits Many Atlas/Kato/Athearn/Intermountain Locomotives
Item #0001829
Thank you for purchasing our most advanced DC/DCC
locomotive sound decoder. Combined with any DCC
System, MRC Blackbox or Tech 6, our true live capture
digital sound decoder will make your model railroad come
to life.
•Four types of synchronized diesel prime mover sounds:
Alco 244 /SD60/SD70/Early EMD 567B
•1.5 amp capacity
•34 different types of horns and 8 types of bells
•Programmable individual sound volumes
•Programmable either 2-digit or 4-digit addresses
•Programmable start voltage and top voltage
•Programmable acceleration and decelaration rates
•Programmable 14, 28, 128 speed steps
•Back EMF load control
•Supports read back address and CV value
•Selectable factory default speed curve
•Advanced speed table control CV67-CV94
•Kick start voltage control CV65
•Easy function mapping
•3 headlight effects: Directional / rule 17 /off-dim-
bright cycle. (light bulbs are not included)
•7 accessory light effects: ditch lights, mars light,
gyra light, strobe light, prime strobe light and on/off
•28 accessory functions (F1-F28)
•Supports advanced consisting (CV19)
•Supports programming on the main (OPS mode)
•Compatible with NMRA DCC standards
•Complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules
•18 mm speaker included
•Dimensions: 73.0mm x 17.8mm x 7.7mm
PROGRAMMING
This decoder supports all program modes and read back features. With MRC
Prodigy Advance DCC you can read its address and CV value.
Printed in USA
SPEED TABLE CV67-CV94 FOR 28 SPEED STEPS
When CV29’s bit 4 is set to “1” it will use the speed table formed by CV67-CV94
to control speed (motor voltage). It allows you to setup each speed for all 28
speed steps. First, program CV29 to 18 for short addresses (1-127) or program
CV29 to 50 for long addresses (128-9999) to enable speed table control. Then
select throttle to 28 speed steps and run your loco at speed step 1. Use program
CV on the main to change CV67’s value (1-255) to adjust step 1’s speed. The
kick voltage, CV65 is only applied when the speed step changes from 0 to 1. You
should switch between 0 to 1 many times to check step 1’s speed. When done
with CV67, select speed step 2 and program CV68. CV68’s value must be
greater then CV67’s. When done with CV67-CV94, use read back CV to make
sure their values are in increasing order.
Note: When using MRC Prodigy DCC to program addresses it will automatically
disable the speed table (set CV29’s bit 4 to “0”). Programming CV125 to 1 will
also disable the speed table and re-program CV67-CV94 to a default linear
speed setting.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
Loco runing without sound click F12 or Double click FO turn on/off
sound. Whenever the decoder doesn’t work please use the program
track to program CV# 125 with value 1 to restore the decoder to factory
settings. This should bring the decoder to life with address #3. This
decoder should perform well with all DCC systems. The maximum DCC output
should be less than 21 V. If the locomotive does not respond to commands, it
may have lost its address. Please re-program the address and program CV19 to
0 (disable consist). If it responds to slowly, you should clear its momentum by
reprogramming CV3 and CV4 to zero. If step 1’s speed is too high, you should
program start voltage, CV2 to zero. If its top speed is too slow, program top
voltage CV5 to 31. You should also clean the track to improve electrical pickup.
Read your DCC system manual to learn how to program and operate the decoder.
For more information about registers/CVs and their functions, please refer to the
NMRA DCC Standard & Recommended Practices, RP-9.2.2. This is available
directly from the NMRA or their website at www.nmra.org.
FCC COMPLIANCE
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions. (1) This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired operation.
RETURN PROCEDURE
This decoder carries a 6 month warranty against factory defects. This warranty
does not include abuse, misuse, neglect, improper installation, or any modifications
made to this decoder, including but not limited to the removal of the NMRA plug if
applicable. If it should become necessary to return the decoder for warranty repair/
replacement, please include a copy of the original sales receipt. Please
include a letter (printed clearly) with your name, address, daytime phone number,
and a detailed description of the problem you are experiencing. Please also include
a check or a money order for $8.00 to cover return shipping and handling. If the
decoder is no longer considered under warranty, then please include a check or a
money order for $29.00 to cover the cost of repair or replacement and return
shipping and handling. Be certain to return the decoder only.
Any questions regarding Warranty Policy can be directed to our Customer
Service Department by calling 732-225-6360 between the hours of 8:30am
and 6:00pm EST, or by emailing: [e-mail]
Send the decoder to: Model Rectifier Corporation
Attn: Parts & Service
80 Newfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837-3817 U.S.A
CV Register Description Range Default
CV1 R1 Short address 1-127 3
CV2R2Startvoltage0-3212
CV3 R3 Acceleration 0-32 0
CV4 R4 Deceleration 0-32 0
CV5 --- Top voltage 0-32 32
CV 6 Speed curve select (0=linear, 1=slow increase,
2=fast increase at slow speed 0-2 0
--- R6 Page number --- ---
CV29 R5 Basic configuration --- 2
CV7 R7 Manufacturer version number 22 22
CV8 R8 Manuf acturer ID --- 143
CV17 --- Long address upper byte 192-231 192
CV18 --- Long address low er byte 0-255 3
CV19 --- Advanced consist address 0-127 0
CV37 0=normal, 1=F3 and F4 exchange 0-1 0
CV39 0=normal, 1=F5 and F6 exchange 0-1 0
CV42 0=normal, 1=F8 and F12 exchange 0-1 0
CV49 All sounds on/of f except horn that is alw ays on 0-1 1
CV50 --- Horn type (34 types) 0-33 17
CV51 --- Horn volume 0-3 3
CV52 --- Bell type (8 types) 0-7 2
CV 53 --- Bell volume 0-3 3
CV54 --- Bell ring rate 0-50 3
CV 55 --- Diesel rumble volume 0-3 3
CV56 --- Brake squeal volume 0-3 3
CV57 --- Dynamic brake volume 0-3 3
CV58 --- Air release volume 0-3 3
CV 5 9 - - - A ir p ump v o lu me 0 - 3 3
CV60 --- Safety pop valve volume 0-3 3
CV61 --- Engine cooling fan volume 0-3 3
CV62 --- Coupling volume 0-3 3
CV63 --- Auto ditch lights flash w ith horn enable 0-1 1(enable)
CV64 --- Rail w heel clack 0-3 3
CV65 Kick start voltage 0-63 63
CV67-94 28 speed steps table w hile CV29.4=1 1-255 linear
CV113 --- Coupling fire volume 0-3 3
CV114 --- Brake release volume 0-3 0
CV115 --- Auto brake squeal enable/disable 0-1 1(enable)
Light mode, 0=normal headlight
1=off, dim, bright cycle, 2=rule 17
CV120 Ultra slow enable 0 0
CV 12 1 Ditch lights flash (=1) or stay on (=0),
C118=CV119=0 0-1 0
CV122 --- Notch mode, 0=auto, 3=manual 0-3 0
CV 12 3 Prime mover: 0=SD60, 1=F, 2=Alco, 3=SD70, 4=off,
w ith traction air compressor cycling randomly 0-4 (4=off) 3(SD70)
CV124 Back emf load control on/off 0-1 0(off )
CV 1 25 - - - Programming to "1" w ill restore some CV's to f actory
settings --- 0
0CV 11 7 0-2
0CV 2 1 - - - When CV21=0, functions f ollow its ow n address.
CV21=1, f unctions follow the consist address ---

INSTALLATION
For newer locomotives with circuit board and wires, simply remove the old circuit
board and follow the diagram to install the decoder. Hook up the front headlight to
the tabs marked as FL and COM. Hook up the rear headlight to the tabs marked as
RL and COM. For accessory light, hook up to ACC and COM.
For older model locomotives such as Atlas/Kato RS-1, RS-3 and RSD-4,
follow the installation tips.
There are no bulbs furnished with this decoder, as modification to the internal
light bars and internal weights may be needed to complete installation. New lenses
and bulb retainers are to be fabricated by the decoder installer. Use of DCC rated
bulbs is reccomended. The speaker is attached to the decoder with a plug. If you
have enough room inside the locomotive a larger speaker from MRC can be used
in place of the 18mm round one included.
Remove the body shell of the locomotive by following the directions that came
with it. There is a centrally mounted board mounted on the chassis with one light
bulb mounted to it. Disconnect the four black pick up wires that are attached to
the corners of the board and label them right side and left side. Gently slide the
motor brush pick up tabs from under the brass pick up strips running lengthwise
across the circuit board. Pop the board off the retention clips and discard. Cut
the motor brush pick up tabs slightly short, leaving enough room to solder a short
piece of wire to each tab. These two wires then get soldered to the decoder’s
motor terminals, [see diagram]. Solder the four pick up wires from the trucks to
the four corner terminals of the decoder, keeping left side pick up wires to one
side of the board and right side pick up wires to the other side of the board, [see
diagram]. Before attaching the decoder to the retention clips on top of the motor,
place a piece of insulating tape on top of the motor to isolate the bottom of the
decoder to the top of the motor, motor brush tabs and wires. Decoder orienta-
tion does not matter as some locos ran long hood forward and some ran short
hood forward. If the locos direction does not match your particular road name,
you can reverse the decoder orientation, or reverse the two wires on the motor
brush terminals, or program CV # 29 to reverse direction.
There are two light bars running lengthwise inside the body shell. These must be
shortened or removed to accomodate the decoder. Choice of headlight/number
board lighting is left up to the decoder installer. The speaker can be mounted on
the decoder in the space provided if there is enough internal body shell clear-
ance. If not it can be mounted to the underside of one of the hoods. Some of
these locos have weights that sit over the gear towers, these must be trimmed
down to gain clearance when mounting the speaker to the undersides of the
hoods. Remove the paper backing from the face of the speaker to expose the
glue ring and press speaker into the desired location.
If you use 1.5V bulbs or LED’s, 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.
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.
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. You can use F12
or CV 123 to select the desired prime mover sound or turn them off. If you want
the decoder to be used in an Electric Type Traction Loco such as Trolley or GG-1
set CV 123=4 to turn off the diesel sound. With the prime mover sounds shut off,
CV 123=4, the traction air compressor will cycle on and off randomly, of course
you can still use F11 to activate the compressor whenever you want while in the
random mode. You can use F19 to select 34 different horn sounds and use F18
to select 8 different bell sounds. With MRC Prodigy Advance2DCC 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. And you have to
use the CV program to setup the decoder.
This decoder allows certain functions to be re-mapped easily, ( CV numbers- 37,
39 and 42). If the values of these CV’s are set to “0” (default), normal DCC
keypad/functions are applicable. Inseting the values shown in the CV chart
allows certain function swapping for example: F3 becomes F4 and vice versa.
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.
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.
LIGHT EFFECT PROGRAMMING CHART FOR CV#118/119
Program CV117 to choose 3 different modes of headlight effects (0=normal
directional, 1=off/dim/bright cycle, 2=rule 17). Both ACC1 and ACC2 has 7
different accessory lights effects. Program CV #118/119 to choose the desired
light effect. CV118 for ACC1 and CV119 for ACC2. For ditch light both CV118 and
CV119 must be 0. In ditch light mode, use F3 to turn on/off and use F28 to enable/
disable flash. When you blow the horn the ditch lights will flash. The ditch lights
will remain flashing for several seconds after horn is off.
CV118/119 value ACC#1/ACC#2 Light effect
0 Ditch light
1 Gyra light
2 Marslight
3 Prime strato light
4 Single strobe light
5 Double strobe light
6on/off
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) with Horn on
F1 Bell on/off
F2 Horn
F3 Ditch lights on/off or Acc1 light on/off with air release
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 will shut down / notch down while CV122=3
F9 Engine cooling fan / notch up while CV122=3
F10 Rail wheel clack (onlymoving)
F11 Traction air compressor on/off
F12 Change prime mover type and prime mover off
F13 Acc2 light on/off with air release
F14 Coupler lift bar
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 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 Flange noise 3
F27 Sand drop
F28 Ditch lights steadyon/off (CV121) with Air release, use F3 to turn on/off
DCC base unit
Power supply Test track
27 ohm resistor
Figure 3. Diagram of test track
com
com
pick up pick up
pick up pick up
front light
motor
motor
ACC1
ACC2
rear light
speaker connector