I am using a MRC Prodigy Express system. I programmed my first locomotive on the programming track and everything was working great. I moved the locomotive to the main track I powered up the DCC system and got the svda error saying there was a short somewhere. I disconnected all power checked the track connections and made sure there was nothing that could be shorting out the track. I reconnected the power and the power pilot light went on for a 30 seconds or so and then went out. I checked my AC adapter and it works without out a problem. I tried contacting MRC customer serice a week ago and still no answer not even an aknowledgement that they recieved message so I had to go to the best knowledge base on the net. Has anyone had this problem and what needs replacing?
Kev
Can't stop working on the railroad!
Remove the loco from the track and power up again. Does the pilot light go out again?
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
What is your "main track?" Is it an existing layout that you're adding DCC to, or a new track setup entirely?
I would disconnect the DCC system from the "main track" and connect it to something simpler, like a 3-foot section of flex track. If the engine works there, then the DCC system and engine are fine, and your "main track" is the problem.
1. If you have a meter, set it to 50 volts AC and measure the output of the DCC system. It should read about 12 volts.
2. If you don't have a meter, get a meter. A cheap one will do, Harbor Freight or the equivalent. Repeat step 1.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The power light goes out 30-40 seconds after I plugged the power in to it. It does it before it is connected to anything at all and also when just using a 3 foot section of track. I have a meter obut the power light goes out before I can check anything. The MRC support did get back to me but it was useless information. They said the adapter wasn't powerful enough at 1 amp and their system requires 1.6 amps. This didn't make any sense as the power stayed on for the 15 minutes it took to program the locomotive. Everything worked fine on the program track but as soon as I put it on the main track it no longer worked and I got the svda error indicating a short and then that is when the power light started shutting off. There was nothing else on the main track except the locomotive. I tried to contect MRC CS but no answer. Thanks,
It seems to me that your Prodigy is defective and needs to be sent back to MRC for repair or replacement.
RRaddictThey said the adapter wasn't powerful enough at 1 amp and their system requires 1.6 amps. This didn't make any sense as the power stayed on for the 15 minutes it took to program the locomotive.
Kev,
Sounds like you need a bigger power supply. Do the math. A 1 amp supply isn't adequate to drive a system that needs 1.6 amps. Try getting a bigger supply, say 1.6 to 2 amps. I bet it'll work.
Why? Because the programming track uses a fraction of the power of regular operating mode. This is to protect the loco in case of a short. So it'll draw a tiny amount of power, which is why it worked when you were programming the loco. When you used the system with the layout, it was trying to go to full power, but couldn't because of the power supply inadequacy.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Either the power supply answer or the defective unit answer could be correct. If you are driving the system with just a 1-amp supply, though, you'd might as well get something more hefty. You will need it anyway. Get the new supply, and let us know what happens.
I drove my Lenz system with an old train trainsformer for a while, but when I started to run more trains and lighted passenger cars, it just ran out of power. It kept trying, but the trains went slower and the lights were dimmer. A nice 5-amp supply solved the problem.
I have sent it back to MRC and they will be sending it back with an original power supply I also purchased the booster. Thanks for the help all and I don't know how long they take to send repairs back to you but once I get it I will post again.
MRC repaired a Controlmaster 20 for me one time. I don't recalled exactly how long it took except I remember being pleasantly suprised at the speed with which it returned and that it was under two weeks from when I shipped it to them. Of course, this is over the holidays, so YMMV, but shouldn't be too long a wait.