Hi
I have a Bowser K4 that I installed a MRC AD315 decoder in, a whille back. At the time I had a old MRC Prodigy system. I program it to address 4 and it ran ok. I wanted a newer systen with all the bells and whistes so I purchas a NCE Power Cab. I tryed to change the address of the K4 with the new NCE Power Cad and when I did, I do not know what button I pushed but now the decoder will not rspond. I do not think that I smoked the docoder because I can still turn on the head light. My queastion is this. Is there a way to refresh the decoder or bring it back to the original factory setting? Or get control of it some how to reprogram it. If so how do I do it? I did connect the old Prodigy up to the program track and tryed to program it back to address 3 but still nothing.
Thanks Ron
Is this a sound decoder ? Even the MRC web site does not have instructions for an AD315 decoder.
To reset an MRC sound decoder to factory defaults, set CV 125 to a value of 1; but for a non-sound decoder the CV is probably different.
I prefer the alternate method of removing the decoder and smashing it with a 20 pound sledge hammer.
Do you have an isolated section of track where you can program an engine without changing the values of every other engine on the railroad? If you can hook up the PowerCab temporarily to an isolated track, then you should be able to use the "use programming track" function to program the engine from scratch, including both the long and short addresses.
The decoder is not a sound decoder it is a power decoder.I purchase these MRC AD315 Decoders about 7 or 8 years ago when I bought the Prodigy. My test track is a separate track not connected to the layout in anyway. These decoders do not support long address. I have considered the 20 pound hammer solution but would like to save it if I can.
Ron
Those must be the same MRC decoders I tried years ago when they first came out -- 5 out of 6 were dead on arrival. Extremely bad decoders that lose their memory often and cannot be reprogrammed once they do. Replacement with a TCS, Lenz, Digitrax, or any other more reputable brand is your best course of action.
I swore off MRC decoders forever.
Thanks
It could be that they are just Junk. But I have two Mantua diesels that I put these decoders in 6 or 7 years ago and they still run OK. The Bowser K4 dose not have a can motor in it but the old Pitman motor with insulated brushes. I know that the Pitman motor draws a lot more amps than the can motor dose. But this engine ran good until I try ed to program a new address to it with the NCE Power Cab. I think I push the wrong button and screwed it up. If I have to but a new decoder in it I will not use a MRC. I thought that maybe these old decoders are not compatible with newer NCE system.