Yes, definitely go with the programming track. If the decoder doesn't perform properly there, do NOT put it on the main.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mike.
Regardless of what type of installation you do either a plug in, hard wire, board replacement or multiple decoders. Always put on the program track first. This will tell you if there is a problem or a short. Hopefully the decoder will come out unscathed but I have had decoders fry on the program track. I had 2 eight pin plug ins fry once. It turned out to be bad decoders. I have also seen bad factory light boards that would have fried a decoder if it was on the main but was detected on the program track.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
The current supplied to your program track is at a level to be safe for your decoder. I don't know if the MRC 1803 supports CV read back but you can try reading and changing CVs without worrying about a fried decoder.
Joe
I'm about to do a board swap decoder installation using an MRC 1803 in an early LifeLike P2K PA. (Yes, I know about the rep. of MRC sound decoders.) It will be my first install of a decoder other than several 8 pin plus-ins.
The simple question is can I use the program track on my MRC PA Wireless to see if the decoder is correctly hooked-up? I browsed earlier posts on this forum, and I didn't get a clear picture if it was safe to do so. As long as I don't fry it, I can solve the rest of the programming issue I think.
Mike