MRC Prodigy Advance 2

[pennsynz]

 

I have just received my new MRC Prodigy Advance 2 and cannot for the life of me get it to talk to my MRC decoders, in my 9 different locos.

I previously used an ESU to operate but replaced this as it could not read CV's back. When this is connected up it runs all locos fine.

I have followed what I beleive are the set up procedures but still do not see the link light operate when sending a command. Although the Cab says it is sending data.

Can anyone please tell me what I am doing wrong other than I may have bought the wrong DCC system.??? 

[fwright]

pennsynz

 

I have just received my new MRC Prodigy Advance 2 and cannot for the life of me get it to talk to my MRC decoders, in my 9 different locos.

I previously used an ESU to operate but replaced this as it could not read CV's back. When this is connected up it runs all locos fine.

I have followed what I beleive are the set up procedures but still do not see the link light operate when sending a command. Although the Cab says it is sending data.

Can anyone please tell me what I am doing wrong other than I may have bought the wrong DCC system.??? 

 

I believe none but the very latest MRC decoders support read back of CVs.  You can write to the CV, you just can't read what value is presently there.  This seems to match up with the "sending data" but no "link light".  With both the ESU and the Prodigy Advance2 you should be able to read back all decoders that support the function (just about all decoders except MRC!).

This is not from personal experience so others that do have that experience can correct me where I am wrong.

Fred W

[pennsynz]

 

Thanks Fred W, All my system is less than 6 months old and fitted with MRC sound decoders so would have thought these are the units that should be readable, and advised by MRC tech support to install.

The problem is that the locos do not respond to addresses or act like they are reading info. On the ESU when given changes they tend to lurch on getting the info but this doesnt happen when using the MRC unit.

This only arrived from the USA couple of weeks back and is my first attempt to instal it.

Pennsynz  

[Truck]

When you say  Talk to your decoders" do you mean they will not run on mainline. If that is the case make sure your cab is addressed to #1.  The instructions tell you how to do that.  As far as decoder read back  I use the Soundtrax program track booster with my PA2 and I am able to read back CV's in all my MRC decoders even the N scale Challanger with MRC sound built in. The instructions say it does not support CV read back but I have been able to since booster was installed.  I dont know how but it does it.  Truck.

[pennsynz]

Thanks Truck, I have followed the instructions which state "sys, 6, 1 to make cab No 1 but still they dont run on mainline. Another thing, would you know, I have just measured, should there be a voltage on program track output, there is 19volts out of main track terminals but zip in other 2 terminals for program track. Thanks pennsynz

[Truck]

If you are getting 19 volts out of main line terminals you shold send it back. I think 14.2 volts shold be max at least that is what I get out of mine. As far as program track goes you problably will not be able to read voltage on it with a regular meter The voltage is so minute, thats why people use program track boosters for sound decoders because the capasitors will suck up all the juice before it can program any thing to the decoder. you mentioned your trains did not jump when you programed on program track. Most likely they will not. On my PA2 they didn't anyway untill I installed program track booster.  Again I would recheck your output voltage to mainline if it is 19 volts that is enough juice to fry most N and HO scale decoders unless the have over load protectors built in.

[cacole]

When you measure DCC track voltage with a meter, have it set on AC voltage.  The NMRA DCC Standard calls for a reading of 14.3 to 14.5 volts on the track.  If you're getting 19 volts, that's way too much and can destroy decoders.

 

[CSX Robert]

If you are reading the track voltage using a run of the mill multimeter set on AC, it will read a little higher than actual(usually about 10%, this has to do with most multimeters being calibrated for sine waves and DCC being a square wave) but 19 volts would still be too high. One thing to make sure of is that the battery in your multimeter is not getting low because that can make it read high.

Truck

As far as program track goes you problably will not be able to read voltage on it with a regular meter The voltage is so minute

The program track should put out around 12-15 volts, it is the current that is reduced, not the voltage, to protect faulty decoder installations; however, the program track should have no voltage on it except when it is actually sending out programming commands.

If the link light is not operating at all, your cab is setup as the master, and there is only one master cab, then it certainly sounds like a hardware problem. The problem could be with the cab, the base, or as simply as a faulty cablebetween them.

[Hamltnblue]

If getting 19 volts first check that the meter is zeroed if it's Analog with an arm.

Next check all connections and make sure there aren't any strands of wire jumping to the wrong terminal.

[ripvanwnkl]

Have you tried the Yahoo group MRC-DCC for advice? 

Good luck,

 

[Wrath0fWotan]

Found this while looking for info on this very subject - hope it helps a little:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/excess_voltage.htm

 

Cheers Mate