dcc

[Anonymous]

need some help. I installed a mrc ad350 6-function decoder with mrc light effects . it has a built in nmra plug .I instyalled it intoa proto 2000 alco e7.Every thing works fine except the loco headlights do not work . they do work without the decoder .Did i install the decoder wrong?
HERE HOPEING SOMEONE CAN HELP THANKS.

[rrinker]

Did you install resistors, or change the existing lights to 14v bulbs?

If not, you blew out the light bulbs. Possibly the decoder functions as well, but perhaps you got lucky. The stock light bulbs in most Proto2000 locos are approximately 3v bulbs, and the decoder function outputs put out full track voltage. Model Power has some appropriate bulbs, check with your local hobby shop.

--Randy

[Pennsy58]

Not intending to disagree with anyone but my expiriences have been different. With Proto 2000 boards if I plug a decoder into the socket the lamps do work but are quite dim. Never had them blow out on me. I wind up changing out the lamps to get better illumination. Never used an mrc decoder but I did look at their instruction sheet. Didnt see anything for troubleshooting lamps. You might try reversing the decoder in the plug to see. It will not harm anything, it will either resolve the issue or the train will run opposite direction of intended.
When you mentioned the lamps work without the decoder was this before or after the decoder install? What I mean is, if you pull the decoder out, the lamps work again?

[rrinker]

Which Proto2000's? The GP's, SD's, Alco switchers, and steam engines, at least, all have the same or similar diode board that gets removed when you plug in a DCC decoder, and the function pins are wired directly to the light bulbs with no dropping resistors or other circuit elements between them and there is no way you could connect a generic decoder and get dim lights.
The E's have a more complex circuit board, even ones without the Mars light, and there is a large resistor that may stay in the circuit when you remove the DCC jumper plug, but I haven't worked on any of those yet. I still don't know how the lights would be dim on DCC, if they work fine on DC power. The voltage supplied by a DCC decoder function output is the same as a normal DCC power supply puts out at full throttle. Unless you have engaged Rule 17 dimming. Most decoders default manual control of Rule 17 dimming to function F4, press F4 and the light dims, press again and it's bright, etc. But I also don't know of any decoders that DEFAULT to Rule 17 dimming, ordinarily you must configure that first for it to work.

--Randy

[cacole]

Do you have the decoder programmed for the headlight to work? Just installing a decoder sometimes isn't enough; you must also program the headlight function and turn the headlight on with the F0 switch. I don't use MRC decoders, so I'm not familiar with their setup, but try pushing your headlight function switch on the controller and see what happens. The decoder's documentation should have information on headlight functions.

[Anonymous]

THE HEADLGHTS WORK WHEN I UNPLUG THE DCC SOCKET.
THEY WILL NOT WORK WHEN I PU***HE HEADLIGHT BUTTON F1

[Anonymous]

I use MRC decoders and the first time I used them my lights did not work the problem was solved by reversing the plug(I assume you you the standard 8 pin plug)

[Anonymous]

reversed plug 8pin still no lights roy

[cacole]

Reversing the plug also reverses the motor direction, so if you have the plug wrong, the backup light would come on when the locomotive is running forward, and the headlight when it is running in reverse. If neither light is working, it's a programming glitch in the decoder. F0 is the light function, not F1 (at least on most DCC systems).

[Anonymous]

F0 turns lights on and off fuzzypa

[Anonymous]

Does this mean the problem is solved ????
Ken

[Anonymous]

It is a simple program to reverse the polarity of the power to the motor