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MRC Sound Decoder in Genesis F-7

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  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 67 posts
MRC Sound Decoder in Genesis F-7
Posted by mdtell on Sunday, July 4, 2010 8:52 AM

I installed an MRC "drop in" sounder decoder for the Athearn Genesis series F units.  The horn no longer responds to F-2 on the Black Box I use to control the engine.  If I press F-22 (to adjust horn volume) the engine unit vocally says "off".  Anyone know what is wrong and how I can get the horn to operate again?  I tried a reset to no avail.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Kokomo IN
  • 630 posts
Posted by climaxpwr on Sunday, July 4, 2010 9:07 AM

Before folks start bashing the MRC boards, try doing a factory reset to the default settings. Your instructions that came with the board should tell you how to do a "reset"  This should get things back in working order again. I also run a few MRC sound boards without any major issues.  $30 for EMD 2nd gen sound was easier on my budget than $80ish for QSI/Soundtraxx!   Good Luck.   Mikie

LHS mechanic and geniune train and antique garden tractor nut case! 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, July 4, 2010 3:47 PM

mdtell

I tried a reset to no avail.

Did you try the reset using a programming track or Ops Mode on the main line?  Ops Mode usually succeeds when all else fails.

Try programming a value of 1 into CV 125 on the main line.  Just make sure this is the only MRC equipped loco on the layout when you do this.  Then remove power from the loco, and then reapply.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 67 posts
Posted by mdtell on Sunday, July 4, 2010 8:56 PM

Thanks Cacole.  I tried the reset both on the Program Track and on the main, all to no avail.  The horn does not work.  Any other ideas?

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, July 4, 2010 10:01 PM

CV51 is horn volume, with a range of 0-3, if you can reset that one with the Black Box.

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 67 posts
Posted by mdtell on Monday, July 5, 2010 8:29 AM

I did reset it but nothing happened.  In fact when I use F-22 to change horn volume, the engine says "off" and the word gets louder each time I press F-22 and then gets low (the same volume cycle as when the horn was working).

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 67 posts
Posted by mdtell on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 7:33 AM

I contacted MRC and they suggested that I try F19.  I did and it worked but then I had to cycle through all the horn choices to select the one I wanted.  However, all is well now.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 993 posts
Posted by hobo9941 on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 11:47 PM

 

I have a bunch of MRC decoders, and they definately are a learning experience.

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