I had a problem occur today with my Prodigy Advanced 2 unit. It suddenly started tryibg to shift to 'consist' when I tried to change to a different loco, then I got a series of strange readings on teh display on teh controller--and now none of my DCC locos will run, sound equiped or regualr. I tried running a loco that was not on teh layout at teh time. Nothing. I tried reporgramming one loco on teh program track-it appearded to ccept the reprogramming but will not run. I set an analog loco on teh track and it hummed so i Know it was getting power to teh layout, but none of the DCC engines will run, and no sound from teh sound equiped locos. Any ideas will be appreciated. (It is NOT showing any short circuit, and the layout is only 10x10 so not a lot of wiring or areas where it couldgo bad)
You need to contact MRC. It sounds to me like your Prodigy Advanced 2 has bit the dust.
That is my fear. I noticed a few days ago that it worked/not worked a couple times during an operating session. If I had any local contacts I would try one of my locos on someone else's DCC layout, but don't have any contacts as I recently moved. I live in the tampa/Wesley chapel FL area so if anyone out there has DCC where I could run a few locos as a test I would appreciate it. (I have sent an email to MRC. Hope I get a response.
I use the MRC Prodigy Advance 2 as well. Two years ago, the system died -- no response as I swapped cables, throttles and cycled the system on and off. I called MRC and described the problem. They had me ship the command station by itself back to them with a check for only the return shipping cost -- no charge for the repair (they had to swap out a circuit board inside). I got it back within 2x weeks.
I've heard and read of plenty of issues when it comes to MRC DCC and I realize the Prodigy Express/Advance system is not the most cutting edge or popular way to go -- but I've had good luck with those products so far (about 8x years) and with their service. I can't speak for their decoders, but I've been lucky with the DCC system so far.
Mike
Thanks Mike. I sent a detailed email to MRC describing the issue. I have used mine for about 6 years with no problems so hope I get the same kind of response you did. I really like the unit (until today :) ) Hopefully, will be resloved quickly.
MRC eh!
"Danger Will Rogers, Danger!"
Mike - you said so far you have been "lucky" with your (MRC) DCC system. I don't want to be 'lucky' with my DCC system. I want it to work reliably day in and day out. I have had an NCE Powercab for about 10 years and it hasn't hiccupped yet.
Sorry, I couldn't resist reinforcing the stereotype. My bad. No offence intended.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter MRC eh! "Danger Will Rogers, Danger!" Mike - you said so far you have been "lucky" with your (MRC) DCC system. I don't want to be 'lucky' with my DCC system. I want it to work reliably day in and day out. I have had an NCE Powercab for about 10 years and it hasn't hiccupped yet. Sorry, I couldn't resist reinforcing the stereotype. My bad. No offence intended. Dave
IIRC...the kid's last name was Robinson, not Rogers....
(Played by Billy Mumy.....yeah, I was one of those "Lost In Space" junkies!! Had a bad crush on Angela Cartwright.....;))
May your freight ALWAYS roll smoothly...and ON TIME!!
Welllll...... I sat down with teh isntruction manual (who said men won't read directions?) and decided to go through the SYS commands, seeing if I could solve the problem (I have never used the SYS commands, ever!) I found that teh cab selector was set to Cab 99--how it got there is totally beyond my comprehension, since I have one (1) handheld controller. I set it to one, and......the DCC is working again. I know I didn't reset it, so I can only assume that when the display went nutz yesterdsay, that SOMEHOW it set the SYS command to cab 99. At any rate, it is now working.!! Thanks to those who offered help. Encouraged me to look further and see if I could find the problem myself. Thanks!!
dasBM2-6-0
I stand corrected. Robinson it was.