
INSTALLATION
Since there is no motor output in this sound decoder, it can be used in any locomotive, regardless
of scale that already has a working power decoder installed.
To install the Sounder into a locomotive, simply solder the resistor leads on the red and black
wires to any power pick up points, left and right side wheel pick ups, along with the red and black
wires of your power decoder. You should have some basic electrical knowledge and soldering
skills. If you do not have the above requirements, please ask the dealer for help with the
installation.
SPEAKER SELECTION
The “MRC Sounder” sound only decoder comes with a 28mm round 8-ohm speaker. If it is too
large for your application, smaller speakers, 20mm, or 16 X 35mm rectangular, can be purchased
from MRC, or other manufacturers. Reducing speaker size will affect the overall sound quality of
this decoder. Placement of the speaker inside the locomotive is up to you. Use hot glue or double-
sided sticky tape to affix the speaker inside the locomotive shell.
OPERATION
There are twenty-two horn sounds and six bell sounds, along with an “off” setting for each built
into this decoder for you to choose from. See programming chart for selecting the type you want.
The “off” setting is useful for trailing locomotives in a consist so only the lead unit sounds its horn
and bell.
If your DCC system supports higher functions, F13 to F28, you can use these functions to change
the type of bell sound, F18, or horn sound, F19 on the move, without having to go into “ops mode”
programming or by changing CV values.
*Note- 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 activated, the
Bell sound will override the other two sounds.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
This decoder should perform well with all DCC systems. The maximum DCC output should be
less than 15 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 slowly,
you should clear its momentum by reprogramming CV120 and CV121 to zero. 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. 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.
Function Idle/Moving
F1 Bell on/off
F2 Horn
F3 Short air release
F4 Coupler cut lever
F5 Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6 Dynamic brake on/off
F7 Coupler release/Air hose firing
F8 3 times w ill s hut dow n w hen in idle / Manual notch dow n
F9 Engine cooling f an / Manual notch up
F10 Rail w heel clack (only moving)
F11 Traction air compressor
F12 Change prime mover (3-types/off)
F13 Short air release
F14 Coupler crash
F15 Air compressor
F16 Flange squeal
F17 Air release
F18 Change bell type (use F1 to turn of f bell after adjustment)
F19 Horn type select
F20 Associated loco sound
F21 Change bell volume (use F1 to turn off bell after adjustment)
F22 Change horn volume
F23 Change prime mover volume
F24 Safety valve pop
F25 Air release
F26 Flange noise
F27 Sand release
F28 Air release
CV Register Description Range Default
CV1 R1 Short address 1-127 3
--- R6 Page number --- ---
CV29 R5 Basic configuration --- 2
CV7 R7 Manufacturer version number --- 1
CV8 R8 Manufacturer ID --- 143
CV17 --- Long address upper byte 192-231 192
CV18 --- Long address lower byte 0-255 3
CV19 --- Advanced consist address 0-127 0
CV49 odd number sound on, even sound off 1on
CV50 --- Horn type 0-22 6
CV51 --- Horn volume 0-15 12
CV52 --- Bell type 0-6 3
CV53 --- Bell volume 0-15 12
CV54 --- Bell ring rate 0-50 3
CV55 --- Diesel rumble volume 0-15 12
CV56 --- Brake squeal volume 0-15 7
CV57 --- Dynamic brake volume 0-15 12
CV58 --- Air release volume 0-15 12
CV59 --- Air pump volume 0-15 12
CV60 --- Safety pop valve volume 0-15 12
CV61 --- Engine cooling fan volume 0-15 12
CV62 --- Coupling volume 0-15 12
CV63 --- Sand release volume 0-15 12
CV64 --- Rail wheel clack 0-15 12
CV112 Air compressor volume 0-15 12
CV113 --- Coupling fire volume 0-15 12
CV114 --- brake release volume 0-15 0
CV115 --- Auto brake squeal enable/disable 0-1 1(enable)
CV116 --- Flange volume 0-15 12
CV120 R3 Acceleration 0-32 0
CV121 R4 Deceleration 0-32 0
Diesel notch mode, 0=auto-notch
3=manual notch
CV123 --- Prime mover sound (3- types) 0-2 0
CV125 --- Factory default setting: Programming to 1 w ill restore all
CV's to default setting --- 0
CV122 --- 0-3 0
0CV21 ---
When CV21=0, all accessory functions w ill follow its
ow n address. When CV21=1, all functions w ill f ollow
the consist address
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