MRC 1806 Sound Decoder issues

Obviously you just aren't getting it or are stuck like a broken record on the sound. Its not the sound I'm complaining about its all the other downfalls of MRC's decoders from the LED problem that started this thread to the other issues that have been brought up in this thread and all the other multiple threads since MRC started releasing these decoders.

 

Are we all talking about the Kato "mid-production" SD40-2? I have three of these. None of them have a plastic mounting clip for the light board.

 

The MRC 1645 I referenced is for the Kato P42 engines and will fit a few others. But there is a plastic frame that sits on top of the main frame that the light board/decoder sit on and this needs to be modified for the MRC decoder to fit.

 

Ben, this is for current production P42. Here is a hyperlink to the manual for the MRC board, there is a picture of the engine frame and associated plastic mounting bracket. The parts to be removed from the plastic mounting bracket (several small bumps) are used to adjust the pressure that the pickups have on the board. Since the MRC board is different in design than the stock board, these bumps are not needed. Removing the bumps takes (conservatively) one minute. I have six units modified this way.

http://www.modelrectifier.com/resources/trainsound/0001645.pdf

 

Those were the two sounds in the first MRC decoders. The Kato F3 decoder has the documented EMD 567 plus SD60, SD70 and Alco 244 (they go in a PA with the speaker moved), the U23 decoder has two, a GE and the yet unidentified, possibly EMD, sound.

On the subject of lights, they change from run to run, I got a second batch of F3 decoders to put in my father's units and the lights come on and go out gradually rather than just flick straight on and off like the first batch in my F units, the U23 is the same as the later F's.

This thread is getting a bit hard to follow, as usual we've gotten way off the original topic of the MRC decoder not lighting the SD40-2's ditch lights. My apologies for sidetracking the thread, I should have started a new thread on the U23 decoder, if we're not talking about the SD40-2 lets take it elsewhere.

 

I'll say. Let's at least reference what we're talking about in the post where we're talking about it...

That's good news about the sounds in the newer MRCs, if not about the lights. It was a bit annoying to find out that their AC4400CW decoder only had sounds for much older EMDs. I have yet to bite on any of these (I'm not as big a fan of sound as some) but at least they seem to be making an effort. Maybe they heard some of our complaints.

 

Final words?

Since I started this thread, maybe I should finish it! My whole point was "Look at those dim lights, why couldn't they have chosen a different LED/resistor combination considering how much you pay for the decoder?" I was just picking up some tickets yesterday at our local VIA station when a CN C44-9W, CN C40-8M, and CN SD60F pulling a two mile long freight went by. Well, there is just a sense of Presence verging on the Awesome when that much heavy machinery goes by, there's no way any scale's onboard sound system will match that visceral sensation of raw power-amen! I'll live with the tinny sound for now, but I just wanted nice bright lights too!

 

Oy, now I have GOT to jump in here with my two cents worth (and apologize for dipping into someone else's conversation, too).
I bought a brand-new Kato P42 from my FLHS and wanted a DCC decoder for it, but unfortunately they were out of the Digitrax unit. So, being Mr. Impatient, I said fine, let's try the MRC decoder. bought it, stood there In The Store and we installed it - it didn't work. Even after trimming the plastic off the top of the motor cage, as per instructions (as well as we could read them, they seemed to be a Xeroxed copy), they still didn't work. So, the guys gave me a different decoder and I took it home, where I had a proper X-Acto chisel-blade that could 'plane' off the relatively soft plastic Kato uses on that motor top.
Got it home, planed off the plastic, taped up the feed strips with the Kapton tape, put it all together - nothing. Sound, no motor. Lights, no motor. Never moved a millimeter. Took it back up to the store. They fiddled with it - Sound and lights, no movement. Eventually, they pressed the hold-down clip down firmly while ON the track - and the Magic Smoke escaped! This was on the THIRD MRC Decoder!
They pulled another P42 out of inventory and gave it to me with their sincere apologies. I eventually got a new Digitrax decoder when they came in and that's on the layout.
I think I'll wait until Digitrax get's THEIR sound decoders out, now that the lawsuit has been settled.

 

I guess there is still some pent-up emotion about these MRC products. The 1806 decoder that I did the side by side comparo pictures with the Digitrax has just died also. No warning, just totally unresponsive. I've sent several emails to MRC (and I think they have been courteous) but have never received a response. However, when I cancelled an order for another 1806 with my LHS (which is PWRS), MRC immediately contacted them, said they had talked to me (BS!) and seemed to misrepresent what I said in my emails to them. I never complained about sound or reliability, just the poor lighting. Well, it appears from these testimonials that maybe they are getting swamped with complaints from all over the map. Yes, it is time for competition in this fledgling area of N scale.

 

Here is a P42 with a Lok Sound Micro with custom files, it is set up so you can coast and then power back up. The only mods to the frame was at the rear, I just removed about a 1/16" from the top of the frame for one of the speakers.

YouTube - Kato P42 with LOK sound micro custom N-scale

 

I was going to get the MRC decoders for my locos, but after hearing about all the problems people are having with them I am thinking twice. However I got a question about these other dcc sound systems. Do they include a speaker? if not where would I find speakers small enough to fit into the narrow hoods of a typical N scale loco?

 

One of the benefits of the MRC sound boards is that you have everything already completed, and are a snap to install. I have multiple MSC sound boards and find them to be very dependable. Keep in mind that alot of the information that you hear on chat boards are very jaded. I would suggest that you do some research into to other sound options available, and then make a choice in manufacturers. Also, you may decide to stay away from sound....it's all up to balancing the plusses and minuses of each option. Keep and open mind during your research and you will come up with a solution that fits your needs.

 

I've had no problems with any of the MRC sound decoders that I installed in my steam loco's and diesels.

The only issue I do have is that there is no BEMF function on MRC decoders.

 

Yes. Their developmental dollars have been spend on the sound capability and not on functionality of the motor. I agree, however I feel that the minimal increase in low-end capability is completely "blown away" by the addition of sound.

To be honest, I don't use my sound equipped engines at very low speed. It's probably because the spooling up of the engine sound is just too irresistable to drive at 1 mph.

:tb-tongue:

 

The MRC 1811 U23B decoder has a speaker mounted on the underside of the board that fits inside the hood, as I mentioned you have to remove about 1/16 inch from the frame under the speaker. The sound is quieter than my F units, but from the size of the speaker you can't expect volume that would have the neighbors complaining. Not long ago the mere suggestion of sound in an N scale hood unit would have you laughed off the board.

One of my U23B's stopped responding to my throttle's commands during a show on the weekend. The manual says, "If the loco does not respond to commands, it may have lost its address. Please re-program the address and program CV19 to 0." I did this and its running again.

 

I have been toying with the idea of getting some MRC decoders for my fleet, with sound.

I would be using them on a shoulder height switching layout,, so I am thinking that the sound would not be that bad,,, but the ? I have that Westfalen brought up, why does the decoder lose it's addy??? Could that be a contact problem,, with the frame??

I think I am going to start with one sound decoder and see how I like it.

Adios Wyatt

 

Not to start any fires here (I spend an inordinate amount of time putting OUT fires on other boards!), but with the lawsuit finally settled, I'd say look for a LOT of new, motor/light/sound decoders to come out within the next 6-12 months.
If they're as good as the stuff in the Athearn N-scale units, they'll be worth the wait. (I LOVE my Challenger! Imagine getting THAT around 9 3/4" radius curves!)

Just my $.02 worth.

 

Don't know why, just quoting what the manual says.

The decoders in the Athearn Challenger, Big Boy and most likely the FP/F45, and I believe Athearn HO locos are made by MRC.

I'd like to see Digitrax or Soundtrax bring some competition. For myself and maybe others who may have also missed something, what is the lawsuit mentioned above?

 

I have a question about MRC sound decoders (specifically 1645). I hope this is a good place to ask. I am installing a 1645 into the Kato E8. I not only don't need the backup light, it is in the way Can I just cut it off or do I need to remove the light and connect the 2 leads? I see this thread is a littl old, so if I don't get a response, I'l try to start a new thread.

E.T. Slobbering Pennsy Freak