While rummaging through a box of old stuff, given to me, I came across a "Sheer Brillance" (sp?) MRC DCC diesel sound decoder, part # 0001631. Searching the MRC web site they don't seem to "own" it, but I can find a part # 0001651 which looks a lot like it. My confusion comes from the box saying it is a "Sound Decoder" but the instruction page talks about hooking it between the trucks and the motor. That seems to indicate a motor decoder also, and it has wires for lights and an 8 pin male connector. The Digitrax motor decoders I own have an 8 pin socket for a Soundbug sound decoder, but I don't want to plug this in without more information.
I know several members here do not like the MRC decoders, but I have it in hand, it apparently cost $120, and want to put it to use in one of my older engines, if I can figure out what it really is. Thanks.
Capt. Brigg FranklinUSCG Licensed Marine OfficerCertified crazy train chaserCEO: Pacific Cascade Railway
Most sound decoders also have integrated motor and light control.
Springfield PA
Probably both sound and motor, they still have a "sheer brilliance" steam decoder. And there's an unlisted super cheap one they have which appears to be the Sheer Brilliance diesel one but with only 1 prime mover sound and one horn instead of the selectable ones. Which one it is they don;t say, but you can get this one for under $40.
Motor control is probably going to be horrible relative to a newer BEMF decoder (or even a contemporary of that one, who are we kidding). I don't see the instructions for it on the MRC site so unless you still have them, good luck figuring out which prime mover sound is which and which horn to use.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have the instruction sheet which shows which CV to activate the horn, bell and rail clicks, but does not specify which diesel it is programmed for. I figure to hook it up to one of my older models that is not regularly used.
Capt. Brigg
Lucky you. It may last all of five minutes once you install it in a locomotive. I have one that would do nothing but make a clicking noise every minute or so. I sent it back to MRC and they "repaired" it -- it's now worse than before and gets so hot you can't touch it with a bare finger after 30 seconds of having power applied. It'll never be installed into anything. It's the first and last MRC sound decoder I'll ever own.
But they do have motor and light control circuitry and are not just sound. I have no idea how good their motor control is because it has never been installed into anything.
If you are going to be doing several of your own loco conversions and DCC chip installs, it would be worth your wild to invest in a decoder tester. NCE makes one and others do as well. That way you can check out the decoders before you actually put them in the locomotive.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Capt. Brigg While rummaging through a box of old stuff, given to me, I came across a "Sheer Brillance" (sp?) MRC DCC diesel sound decoder, part # 0001631. Searching the MRC web site they don't seem to "own" it, but I can find a part # 0001651 which looks a lot like it. My confusion comes from the box saying it is a "Sound Decoder" but the instruction page talks about hooking it between the trucks and the motor. That seems to indicate a motor decoder also, and it has wires for lights and an 8 pin male connector. The Digitrax motor decoders I own have an 8 pin socket for a Soundbug sound decoder, but I don't want to plug this in without more information. I know several members here do not like the MRC decoders, but I have it in hand, it apparently cost $120, and want to put it to use in one of my older engines, if I can figure out what it really is. Thanks.
I have a copy of the 2008 Walthers catalog which lists the Brilliance 1631 sound decoder. Unlike later Sheer Brilliance sound decoders that MRC advertised as motor specific (1638 was modern large EMD diesel and 1643 was modern EMD switcher), I believe that the 1631 was a generic diesel sound. The "features include synchronized diesel engine sounds with eight notches, 10 types of horns, four different bell sounds and control of 19 other sounds. Also provides functions for directional headlights, marker lights, Gyralight and beacon."
The ad text also states that the decoder uses back EMF technology and supports four digit addressing and 14/28/128 speed steps.
[Please note that I'm not responsible if there is a difference between what the catalog describes and what the decoder actually does.]
A speaker was included, but there is no mention of the 8-pin connector. I would look at the connector closely to see that all the wires go to the right places and that there are no wires touching each other where the solder joints on the connector are. Was the connector part of the decoder, or something that was installed after the fact?
If the decoder came with the plug, or was modified to have the plug, it can be plugged into the female socket that typically comes on a "DCC ready with 8-pin socket light/motor board engine". It is not made to be plugged into another decoder.
Concerning the sound, again I believe that it is generic diesel. The audiophiles on this forum will probably tell you that it either resembles nothing, or doesn't sound like what it is supposed to be, or doesn't scale down properly, or I hate sound, or blah, blah, blah. You will have to make your own decision on that.
EDIT: oh, forgot to mention that the list price in the Walthers catalog was $119.98.
maxman EDIT: oh, forgot to mention that the list price in the Walthers catalog was $119.98.
I can get a Tsunami or QSI Revolution decoder with high quality speaker and baffle for less than that!
cacole maxman: EDIT: oh, forgot to mention that the list price in the Walthers catalog was $119.98. I can get a Tsunami or QSI Revolution decoder with high quality speaker and baffle for less than that!
maxman: EDIT: oh, forgot to mention that the list price in the Walthers catalog was $119.98.
And your point is? I was not endorsing or not endorsing this particular item. I was only trying to answer the OP's question. He is not contemplating a purchase. He already has the thing. Further, I don't know if the T or Q items were available in 2008, but that is not relevant. If he has the decoder and wants to try using it, that's fine with me and should be to everyone else.
They did some modern diesels for a SD45 and MP15--Obviously a difference in turbine is likely.
I would put it in after first removing the other items.
Richard