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Programming Old MRC Decoders

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Posted by maxman on Monday, March 25, 2013 3:56 PM

I don't know if this is applicable or not.  If you put

into the Google search box, you should come up with a link to a document that discusses problems programming address into the AD305  decoders.  Look down around page 7 of the document.

 

  • Member since
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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, March 25, 2013 2:54 PM

If I remember correctly the decoders took way too long to respond back to the command station, so the response timed out.

If you see the locomotive lurch a little when you program a CV, you know it took.

I had the same problem with my MRC sound decoders on my old set 100 Lenz.  It's a well known problem.

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Monday, March 25, 2013 1:18 PM

 I don't think those decoders have any readback. Also they are register-mode only, they only support a limited set of 'registers' (CVs), and will not work ok paged or direct mode.

          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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Posted by tstage on Monday, March 25, 2013 11:59 AM

File 13 them, Karl...

...really!  It's better to get a reliable decoder for those passenger cars and cabooses.  Otherwise, you'll be opening them up again and again.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Programming Old MRC Decoders
Posted by karlfdburg on Monday, March 25, 2013 11:34 AM

I need some help to program some old decoders ...

More than 10 years ago, I replaced all of my MRC 305 decoders with more up-to-date ones.  Now, I want to use those old decoders as function-only decoders in my passenger cars and cabooses.  My problem is that my Lenz system (Set 100 w/ Version 3.6 firmware) won't recognize ANY of them on the program track.  Each time, I get an Error 2, i.e. no decoder detected.

So far, I have:

+ Tested multiple decoders by hooking them up to a locomotive (engine terminals only) and to the program track with the Error 2 on every one.

+ Tested a brand new out-of-the-package AD305 decoder with the same result.

+ Tested that same new decoder using address 3 on the main track with success.

+ Attempted to program new address into an old decoder on programming track but got Error 2.

Conclusion:

Something (speed of newer DCC system, etc.) is preventing the system from recognizing the old decoder.

I no longer have the old MRC 2000 DCC system to try.  I still have an Atlas Commander that I occasionally use as a throttle on my system.  I haven't tried using it to program the address.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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