Yes but the caps are hanging. I do find that the decoder makes a decent paperweight. I classify it on the same scale as an old heathkit project or something bought from radioshack as a home project, not a commercial built board. The construction matches the design.
Springfield PA
If you had any idea how many device leave them hang like that - it's pretty darn common. The Tsunami is better because it uses surface mount solid caps instead of cheap electrolytics. As for the heatsink - I see a screw pokign up which is sandwiching the heat sink/transistor/regulator/whatever it is and the circuit board, so it's well supported.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
When supporting weight like the large caps and the transistor with heat sink you should solder both sides for added strength. It wouldn't hurt if they added some adheasive or other anchoring method for support as well. I guess they figure it's easier to repair them.
Not to defend MRC< but the capacitor on the left in the top pic that has solder on the one lead is probably one with TOO MUCH solder - those are through-hole components and probably soldered on the other side. The one with solder showing on the top probably has so much solder applied that it came through the hole. That's not really necessary since the holes are usually plated through.
Actually sometimes MRC decpders aren't too bad. For instance, I once had one run a whole week before I changed it with a Tsunami.
Here's a close up of the MRC. Notice the components with solder missing on the leads.
Here's one with the tsunami sitting by the loco before the install. Obvious quality difference.
I think with MRC it's a clear case of "you get what you pay for". I understand this much better now after having initiated this thread. My MRC decoders function but just not that well. After talking to the people at QSI and seeing the detail in their decoders you can clearly see the difference btwn them and MRC-MRC has a few general decoders, sort of mass produced to be used in a variety of locos whereas QSI has very specific sounds files for loco specific applications. I have spoken to MRC many times-nice people in tech support but there is no comparison with talking to QSI. My point being that I believe the MRC approach is a much more general and hence quality is more much "general"-as is price. The MRX decoders, w/speaker, cost about $60. QSI Revolution U is $110. When I install the QSI I will let you know if the price difference is worth it.
-Captwilb
I don't think anyone's complaining that MRC won't honor their warranty. But even if they do quickly send a repalcement with no hassles, that's not much help when your loco fails every few months.
What's really frustrating and not a little bit amazing is how badly MRC has failed at DCC, when their DC power supplies were always some of the best made. It took them 4 tries before they realized that people just starting out with DCC don;t want to throw out the system and buy a new one as their layouts expanded. They seem to be making some progress in their decoders, if slowly. For example, the early ones didn;t even try to offer CV readback, while the latest ones seem to allow for readback. However, while the features are finally catching up to what the others offer, the failure rate seems far higher than the other brands.
ANd we won't even get started on their insistence on keeping their computer interface proprietary and not supporting the most popular free and commercial layout automation programs.
Perhaps being dropped by a large supplier like Athearn was a bit of a wake up call. If there AREN'T so many issues, then why would Athearn switch to a different decdoder provider?
I have both a question and a suggestion. First the suggestion. I have at least 20 MRC sound decoders in various locomotives. Most are OK. Some are not. The motor control is lousy. But I'm reasonably happy with the sounds. Rather than throw out the whole decoder, I am going to add a second better quality small decoder just for the motor control, where space permits. That should take care of my problems.
Now the question. If MRC decoders are such junk, why do the reputable dealers like Walthers, Tonys, Trainworld, etc, carry them? Are they really that bad. Or are we mainly hearing from the people with the problems and gripes. I had an MRC decoder crap out, first time I put the loco on the rails. One horn blast and dead! Sent it back. They sent me another one, including speaker, even though I had just returned the decoder. I'm just wondering if we are only hearing from the disgruntled customers. Just askin.
Athearn replaced the malfunctioning decoder in my BN F45 with another MRC board and gave me a fresh remote control as mine didnt work. I will run this board till it dies, then I will upgrade the unit to a Tsunami. But for now as long as the MRC does what I need it to do, I am happy. Maybe this will be one of the "one in ten" that work as they should. Cheers Mike
LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case!
" LHSs just want your money. Especially in this economy. Even if they sell you sub-par product."
as a kid, i worked for slot car store part time. the owner's philosophy was, keep em' coming back with more money.
we were told to never sell a new customer one of the best cars or controllers up front. just try to get him to buy a cheapo and then progressively move him up into better stuff. otherwise he would only buy the one item and be happy with it.
as for a lot of hobby shops and manufacturers these days, the truth does not serve their agenda. while they will not admit to outright shafting you, they will give you every oppotunity to do it to yourself.
for some strange reason, these clowns seem to think hobbyists are a bunch of wimps. if you sold the typical motorcycle rider a piece of junk and tried to stick him with it, he might just stick it somewhere you wouldn't like.
most advertising is lies anyway.
grizlump (grouch german)
I saw in the latest Litchfield Station news that they are dumping MRC sound decoders for 1/2 price. It appears that MRC changed their warranty policy and that doesn't agree with the good folks at Litchfield Station. You can checkout their comments at:
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php
Kudos for Bruce wanting to run a stand-up business.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
captwilb I certainly feel like going to sledgehammer route...I ordered an QSI decoder and let's see how things improve. still, I have 6 MRC paperwrights now.
I certainly feel like going to sledgehammer route...I ordered an QSI decoder and let's see how things improve. still, I have 6 MRC paperwrights now.
Well not to discourage you from planting the MRC decoders where they belong in the trash, are the locomotives in question all Athearn units? If so some earlier Genesis models had a problem with defective power pick up trucks. Soldering the wires direct instead of using the stupid little plastic clips is a good idea but will still not cure the problem. There have been a few threads discussing modifications that allegedly cure this problem. They may and stress may work but there is no need. Simply contact Athearn custmer service and explain to them the problems your having and ask them if it's possible the power pick ups in the trucks are bad and see what they say. I had exactly the same problem and they replaced the trucks fre of charge and even sent me the repair parts for the locomotive that the trained chimps at MRC broke off the locomotive when they had it for repair.
I mentioned to the technician that I had four other Genesis locomotives that still haven't been run yet would there be any way of checking serial numbers etc. to see if they were the ones with the problematic power trucks. He told me there was no need just send them back as well. Three of the four loco's came back with new truck along with the original locomotive. The folks at Athearn are very nice to deal with and I believe if you contact them you will agree with me some day in the not so distant future.
But still head mine and others advice on seeing how well they hold up against a sledge hammer or big rock, cause if they ain't bad now they sure as heck will be very soon. It's what the prototype calls preventive maintenance.
Driline draftingplansI am sure your right about the sledge hammer route but I had two sound decoders that I sold on Ebay and I think I sold for $7.50 each. Better than in the trash tho. Oh how nice of you. Ruin someone else's day by selling them JUNK!
draftingplansI am sure your right about the sledge hammer route but I had two sound decoders that I sold on Ebay and I think I sold for $7.50 each. Better than in the trash tho.
Oh how nice of you. Ruin someone else's day by selling them JUNK!
And to think that someone bought them------sigh
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
David, I am not going to argue that but if he has some working decoders and some not I was trying to help him get what he has working better. I hope that in the future he will replace the MRC's with better decoders. I am sure your right about the sledge hammer route but I had two sound decoders that I sold on Ebay and I think I sold for $7.50 each. Better than in the trash tho.
Barry
Captwilb
Just read the threads about your problem and wonder if someone is going to offer any suggestions to remedy what might be the problem. Have you checked the speed steps your loco's are operating at? Check to make sure you are operating the loco's at speed step 128, that may help with some of the problem. Seems if the speed steps are 14/28 they don't perform as well. I am not a fan of MRC decoders sound or motor but I have their auto reverser and NCE decoder that works well with my turntable.
davidmbedardLHSs just want your money. Especially in this economy. Even if they sell you sub-par product.David B
LHSs just want your money. Especially in this economy. Even if they sell you sub-par product.
David B
Exactly -- a local hobby shop is not going to discourage your purchase of an item that has a high markup for them, they'd just be cutting into their profits. The more they can sell the more profit for them, even if the customer winds up throwing the product into the trash because it's no good.
The nearest hobby shop to me is an Ace Hardware in Tucson, Arizona, 70 miles away. They have a steadfast policy of "No returns or refunds on electrical items." They regard locomotives as electrical items. If you buy a decoder or DCC system or anything else electrical from them, you're on your own if it is defective. And they have no test track or any way for the customer to verify whether an item works.
The next nearest hobby shop to me is a 4 hour one-way drive to Phoenix. They have signs all over the store, "Absolutely NO returns or refunds on ANYTHING!" On my last trip there, they even refused to take back an item a customer had just purchased and wanted to exchange for something else even though he had not even left the store with it. They pointed to the sign and asked if he could read.
And local hobby shops wonder why many people turn to the Internet?
Unless you're talking about a Micro-Tsunami, they do not require soldering. They come with a wiring harness installed, but the decoder can be removed from that harness and you can then substitute a NMRA 8-pin to JST 9-pin harness.
MRC's advertisements as being the "world's leader in DCC technology" are so utterly exaggerated that anyone who knows better doesn't believe anything they print.
what drives me craziest is that no hobby shop gave me this feedback for MRC decoders. official reviews have generally been favorable-I read the Tony's Trains review written by the same guy who wrote the Model Railroader DCC book and he liked it. But I never checked these forums...
I checked out the Tsunami and it seems the only ones that come with the 8 pin plug are the newer, smaller model; the "premium" decoders require soldering on an 8 pin connector to install in a DCC ready loco-am I understanding correctly?
Hi Catwilb, Sorry you had to find out about MRC this way. Their controllers and systems seem to have satisfied customers. The decoders are quite the opposite. Don't let it discourage you from the hobby. As you get the funds and time start with the worse running loco and change it out with a tsunami. Amazing difference. Also make sure you have a quality speaker to go with it. You'll have a new outlook on the hobby. Also hold your funds for future loco's. I find it's better to pay the higher cost to get a loco with sound pre-installed.
Good Luck
The newest issue Genesis from about the middle of 2009 thru present day are all equipted with Soundtraxx Tsunami for sound decoders, so the MRC problem is moot for current and recent production Athearn engines. I sent my F45 back to Athearn under warrenty for decoder problems, hopefully it will come back with something other than MRC under the shell. I will miss my cascade green and black cowl body for the next few weeks till I get it back. Mike
I have about 20 Genesis in a stable of over 200 diesels. All of them had the decoder jerked out and replaced with NCE or Lenz decoders and I just quit buying Genesis all together.
Life is much happier.
Bob
I am pretty sure they are soldered on
Are the wires to your decoders all soldered to the board, or do they have the little black push on caps that keep the wires on the board? Mike
the need for a little tap on the loco is maddening! I have exactly this experience you describe here. I had hoped someone was going to give me some magic hint to make them work smoothly but that does not seem to be the case...thanks for the (depressing) feedback
For my ears, the sound in my Athearn F45 is fine and I am happy with it. Its the motor control glitching, espicaly in DCC mode that bothers me. I can keep advancing the speed know and it will be in the high 30's to low 40's in the speed range and she just sits there in run 8. Then either by me tapping the shell very lightly or on it own, it will suddenly start to move. From past repair work on Proto 2K engines that use those plastic plug on wire holders for the circuit boards, I have seen those go bad to where the wire is crimped on there tight, but not making contact and the engine looses power pickup points ect. This is in a non sound engine. Athearn uses the same set up on the MRC board, I wonder what soldering all the wires to the board, instead of the black plastic things, would do. I got mine to respond to the little hand held fob, but you have to keep the antenna like 2-3 inches from the locomotive, a new battery in the remote did nothing to help. I have call into Athearn to see if they want me to send it back to get a new decoder installed or what. When they call back I will know if I will be fiddling with this one, or shipping the engine to cali for what I hope is a Tusnami upgrade under warrenty. Pretty sad, MRC was the go to company for solid DC analog throttles for years, shame that quality and follow thru didnt carry over to the DCC line. You would think they would see these issues, say they are sorry for a bad design and bring out a new design to fix the issue, even offering upgrades to the ones with factory installed MRC decoders with issues. I hope Athearn will take care of this one. Both of my blue box U30c's will be getting Tsunami's soon, MRC doesnt even offer GE FDL16 sounds anyway! Good luck with your decoders. Mike
I bought the MRC b/c I have an MRC system and thought it would make sense to have everything from the same manufacturer. Plus the hobby shops seemed indifferent when I asked what was best. I should have checked the threads here before buying...
I can almost bet you choose MRC for the same reason I originally did the price.Well trust me when I say your problems have just begun. I have had nothing and I mean nothing but horrible experiences with MRC decoders especially their sound decoders. I have heard an occasional happy MRC user but they are few and far between. As mentioned Athearn dropped them in place of Tsunami so whats that do for their credibility. I hate to say it but you made a very poor choice when you decided on MRC decoders.If you want strictly motor control at an affordable price I like TCS but there are others made by Digitrax and NCE for example that are just as good. If you search the threads here just to give you an idea. You will see some guys prefer one brand over another but hardly if at all do you get the complaints and dissatisfaction that you get with MRC so what does that tell you.