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INSTALLATION
It is quite a challenge to install a decoder into a loco. You should have some basic
electrical knowledge and soldering skills. If you do not have the above require-
ments, please ask the dealer for help in installation.
Figure 1 shows the electrical circuit of most standard locos. The terminals of the
motor and light(s) are directly connected to the wheel pickup. Each type of loco
has its own method of electrical pickup and distribution. The connection between
the wheels, motor and light(s) could be wires, clips, the body or chassis, PC board
or any other type of conductor. First, figure out your loco's electrical wiring and
how to disconnect (isolate) the motor and light(s).
Figure 1. Connection of standard locomotive.
Note: The 'X' marks indicate
where to disconnect (isolate).
Right side pickup
X
Front
light
Left side pickup
The decoder will be inserted between the wheel pickup and the motor.
Figure 2 shows how to wire the decoder. After disconnecting the motor terminals
from the pickup, connect the red wire to the right side pickup and the black wire to
the left side pickup. Connect the orange wire to the motor terminal that was
originally connected to the right pickup. Connect the gray wire to the motor's other
terminal. Connect the front light to the blue wire and the white wire. Connect the
rear light to the blue wire and the yellow wire.
The blue wire is the common terminal for lights and accessory functions. You may
use the black wire or the red wire to replace the blue wire. This is useful when
isolating one of the light terminals from the pickup is difficult. Wiring the bulb this
way will make the light dimmer. If your loco has only a front light, you should
connect the white and the yellow wires together. If your locomotive has a NMRA 8
pin receptacle, remove the dummy plug. Match first pin and plug in the decoder.
Figure 2. 0001638 decoder wiring diagram
right
headlight
white
blue
rear light
yellow
left
black
gray
Each manufacturer and loco may have different ways of decoder
installation. There is no standard rule for installing decoders. It is always
better to consult the loco manufacturer on how to install a decoder in that
particular loco.
All the decoder's light outputs are track output voltage (around 14V)
supplied by your DCC system. They are designed for 12V light bulb.
Please contact your loco manufacturer for lights' operation voltage.
If you have a 1.5V bulb or LED, you should connect a 1k ohm resistor
in series to one of the leads to limit current.
SPEAKER SELECTION
The decoders come with a 20mm 8 ohm speaker. other size speaker such as
28mm, 16x35mm and 20x40mm rectangular speaker can also be purchased from
X
MRC. However, reducing speaker size will affect the overall sound quality. Use
X
hot glue or double-sided sticky tape to affix the speaker inside the loco shell. If
the baffle is too tall, you may remove excess for desired height. Note: Completely
removing the baffle will result in poor sound quality.
Rear
Motor
X
X
X
light
MAKING A TEST TRACK
Before you begin 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.
Note: The program track is NOT a test track. The program track does not use a
current limiting resistor. So it can't protect an incorrectly installed decoder.
DCC base unit
Power supply
TESTING
All MRC decoders have been factory programmed with address #3, 28/128
orange
1
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
black
properly isolated the motor and lights.
To test, place the loco on the test track. Select the "Run" mode of your DCC
20mm speaker
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!
27 ohm resistor
Test track
Figure 3. Diagram of test track
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.
OPERATION
This decoder has start up and shut down feature. You must 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 3 times. Once you shut down
the engine it will not start up until you press any function keys F1-F9.
This decoder can also be used in an Electric Type Traction Loco such as Trolley
or GG-1 by turning off diesel sounds. To turn off the diesel prime mover sounds,
program CV #122 with value 0.
If using the MRC Prodigy Advance DCC System, you can use F18 to select
different bells. First use F1 to activate bell. Then use F18 to scroll through seven
different bell sounds. You can use F19 to scroll through eleven different horns.
When using other DCC systems you have to program CV #52 to select bell and
CV #50 to select horn.
There are many more program features available with this decoder. Please refer
to the CV Chart to explore other features of the decoder.
DIESEL SOUNDS CHART
Fun ction
Idle /M oving
Double c lick F0
Turns on/of f acces sory lighting
F1
Bell on/of f
F2
Horn
F3
A ir release w hile moving or prime mover rev up during idle
F4
Coupling/air hose f iring
F5
Brake release (idle) / brake squeal (moving)
F6
Dynamic brake on/of f
F7
A ir hose f iring/uncoupling lever
F8
notc h dow n (w hen CV 122=3)/3 times w ill shut dow n w hile in idle
F9
notch up (w hen CV 122=3)/associated loco sound
F10
Rail w heel clack (only moving)
F11
Trac tion air c ompressor
F12
Engine cooling f an
F13*
short air release
F14*
A ssociated loco sound
F15*
A ir pump
F16*
A ssociated loco sound
F17*
f lange noise
F18*
Change bell type
F19*
Horn type select *
* Note: Only MRC Prodigy advanc e DCC has F13-F19 accessory f unctions
Note: Bell, Dynamic Brake and Rail Wheel Clack cannot play at the same time. If you
active the Bell sound [F1], while either the Dynamic Brake or Rail Wheel Clack
sounds are activated, the Bell sound will override the other 2 sounds. Rail Wheel
Clack cannot play while the loco is in idle. When you turn off DynBrake and Rail
Wheel Clack sound there will be one second delay.
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