I wanted to change the address and speed of my Athearn/Roundhouse 4-4-0. I programmed the CVs and now the engine seems to have near infinite momentum both when the throttle knob is turned to zero and also when the forward/reverse lever is set to "brake". Turning the track power off stops the loco instantly.
I tried to program CV125 to "1" several times but it will not reset. Even the address remains at the "227" I set it to.
The command station is a Digitrax Zephyr with no other throttle connected.
I programmed a Digitrax decoder with no sound on another loco and it all went well.
What to do next?
73
Bruce in the Peg
Hi Bruce
Try setting CV29 to 34 then CV3 to 0 and CV4 to 0. This being an MRC decoder you wont be able to read back CVs. If you want to slow top speed then put CV5 to around 128 and CV6 to half of that.
Good luck
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!
Bruce,
I have several of the MRC Sound decoders. One in an Athearn Challenger and others self installed in both diesels and steamers. I have had no trouble programing them with my Zephyr.
I program the address into my locos using the programming track and the Zephyr's auto programming for loco address, either 2-digit or 4-digit as appropriate. This has never failed for me it should work for you.
Be aware that the values for Decelerating and acceleration are 0-32, not the common 0-256 used by other manufacturers. The same is true for start voltage and for top or max voltage.
Chuff rate is 0-10.
If all else fails try reseting the decoder and start over. New MRC decoders will reset if you change CV 125 to 1. Make sure the Manufacturer's ID CV8 is set to 143.
One last thing. If you continue to have trouble with programming, connect a 1K ohm resistor across the programming track/leads. This will fool the Zephyr into increasing its programming signal.
Good luck,
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Can we please stop the "you should have known better"? Someone is asking for help, not to be ridiculed. And not everyone is starting out knowing the MRC decoder is faulty.
As my Mom used to say, "if you have nothing nice to say...." Hint, hint.
As for your decoder, I have problems with my Roundhouse 4-4-0 with the MRC sound decoder. I'm using a PowerCab but the problems are very real. My 4-4-0 runs and stops all on it's own. Sound is fine, but the running is horrible. I still have not figured it out, but I keep trying and hoping...
I have three Athearn/Roundhouse engines, one 2-8-0 and two 4-4-0's. They are very sensitive to track voltage. I had problems running one 4-4-0 on the HO 1906 layout with a Digitrax Zephyr but hooking up up the DCS 100 from the super chief it would run fine. The 1906 layout only had one feeder wire hooked up. The same engine would run fine on the On30 layout with the Zephyr, the On30 had more feeders.
The main problem was the loco sat there and chattered and was unresponsive, when it moved it would move haltingly.
I had problems programming with the Zephyr, until I used the booster I bought to program tsunami's. That solved all my programming problems.
Harold
hminky wrote: I have three Athearn/Roundhouse engines, one 2-8-0 and two 4-4-0's. They are very sensitive to track voltage. I had problems running one 4-4-0 on the HO 1906 layout with a Digitrax Zephyr but hooking up up the DCS 100 from the super chief it would run fine. The 1906 layout only had one feeder wire hooked up. The same engine would run fine on the On30 layout with the Zephyr, the On30 had more feeders.The main problem was the loco sat there and chattered and was unresponsive, when it moved it would move haltingly.I had problems programming with the Zephyr, until I used the booster I bought to program tsunami's. That solved all my programming problems.Harold
Interesting you should say that. I don't know off the top of my head what the voltage of my Power Cab is. And running the 4-4-0 "wide open" on the dcc system seems to work okay. It will still stutter, but not nearly as often. I tried the 4-4-0 on my sons dc layout. Runs flawlessly. No problems at all at even low speeds. I don't have a volt meter(I know, go get one), so checking the track voltage is a problem. On my dcc layout I have track jumpers every 10 feet or so. I have mostly code 100 flex track. My sons dc layout that is nearly the same size as mine has 1 jumper.
Wierd...
davidmbedard wrote: sparkyjay31 wrote: Can we please stop the "you should have known better"? Someone is asking for help, not to be ridiculed. And not everyone is starting out knowing the MRC decoder is faulty.As my Mom used to say, "if you have nothing nice to say...." Hint, hint.No.Here is the thing, the MRC decoder has been well documented on these and other forums. If Bruce did his homework before purchasing this locomotive (as we should ALL do before purchasing products), then he would have been well aware of what was going to happen. He has been around for a while now and should have been aware of the MRC decoder.David B
sparkyjay31 wrote: Can we please stop the "you should have known better"? Someone is asking for help, not to be ridiculed. And not everyone is starting out knowing the MRC decoder is faulty.As my Mom used to say, "if you have nothing nice to say...." Hint, hint.
No.
Here is the thing, the MRC decoder has been well documented on these and other forums. If Bruce did his homework before purchasing this locomotive (as we should ALL do before purchasing products), then he would have been well aware of what was going to happen. He has been around for a while now and should have been aware of the MRC decoder.
David B
David,
I agree that if someone was to read these and other forums before purchasing the MRC decoder then they may have been warned. And I will not speak for the individual that started this thread, but instead use me as an example.
I'm in this hobby now for about 6 months and I knew nothing when I started. i was given all the track and a few buildings from a family friend who is getting out of the hobby My first purchase aside from the lumber to build the layout was my Roundhouse 4-4-0 with the MRC decoder. I bought it because I wanted sound, a 4-4-0 and could not spend $250 on a Bachmann 4-4-0. I did not know about Model Railroader Magazine, this, or any other online forum. I had no idea that the MRC decoder was / it a trouble maker. My fault for not doing more research? Maybe. But bashing me ( and others ) about "knowing better" doesn't make it any easier to deal with does it? We've all spend hard earned money and should be treated better than that! I thought helping and learning is what these forums should be for. Helping and learning. Not being critical of others misfortunes.
I'll get down now...
And I value your opinion and vast knowledge of the MRR Hobby. I do. I, as we all do, continue to learn from each other. So lets all just get along...
I agree. It is a patronizing and deprecating statement that one could use with an 11 year old child to make a point...maybe...but it has no place here.
-Crandell
In my own defense, The model in question was bought waaaay before I learned about MRC decoders. I have just recently tried programming. Easterners, humph
PS , I tried a "tonys trains" booster that was bought for my BLI locos and the decoder will still not respond. I tried to reset all CVs to default values after a general reset failed.
Blind Bruce wrote: In my own defense, The model in question was bought waaaay before I learned about MRC decoders. I have just recently tried programming. Easterners, humph
We rest our case. Knowing better clearly had nothing to do with the decision.
QED.
Here are two Yahoo groups you might check. The first one specializes in MRC. I had this issue over a year ago and someone reset the decoder using an NCE Power Pro system. I do not remember what they did. I will try to find out. I use to belong to them and I know people have had the same questions.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MRC-DCC/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCC4EVERYONE/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=3Another possibility is the Yahoo Digitrax group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digitrax/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
Try not to stick with one group, depending on the issue.
Also, ignore the trolls.
I plan to install a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami decoder in my 4-4-0. I have never been pleased with the MRC decoder. I use the Micros in all my steamers. Yes, this pushes up the total cost for the 4-4-0 but stuff happens.
If you ever buy the Roundhouse 2-6-0 or 2-8-0, get the DCC ready version and install your own decoder.
Oh, as far as I know, the Roundhouse 4-4-0 is not available without a decoder. I just checked the Roundhouse site so you had no choice even if you knew the loco had decoder issues.
http://www.roundhousetrains.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=4-4-0&CatID=THLS
If you want a really nice looking 4-4-0, get the Spectrum Richmond 4-4-0 with DCC and sound. I have the loco with a Micro in it. Micro Mark is taking orders. $208. I think it has the Tsunami decoder. Not sure.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=158&Offset=30
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.
TA462 wrote:I've got the same problem with one of my loco's that has a MRC decoder in it. I'm thinking I might just rip it out and install a better quality decoder.
I've posted this story before, but it pretty well represents what MRC decoder quality has been like.
MMR Gerry Hopkins was given 8 MRC sound decoders for free, so he installed them in 8 locos and took them to a weekend long train show. By the end of the weekend, ALL 8 MRC decoders had developed issues or had failed.
Gerry's response to me was simply, "The best thing you can do with an MRC decoder is apply a sledge hammer." Needless to say, Gerry was not impressed.
This was a couple years ago now, and I've heard MRC decoders have improved. But be aware you might possibly have to ditch that MRC decoder in favor of a better replacement.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
jfugate wrote: TA462 wrote:I've got the same problem with one of my loco's that has a MRC decoder in it. I'm thinking I might just rip it out and install a better quality decoder. I've posted this story before, but it pretty well represents what MRC decoder quality has been like.MMR Gerry Hopkins was given 8 MRC sound decoders for free, so he installed them in 8 locos and took them to a weekend long train show. By the end of the weekend, ALL 8 MRC decoders had developed issues or had failed.Gerry's response to me was simply, "The best thing you can do with an MRC decoder is apply a sledge hammer." Needless to say, Gerry was not impressed.This was a couple years ago now, and I've heard MRC decoders have improved. But be aware you might possibly have to ditch that MRC decoder in favor of a better replacement.
Okay, So can someone rate the decoder brands from best to worst to avoid-at-all-costs?
I have found that questions asked are not always answered.
PMeyer wrote: jfugate wrote: TA462 wrote:I've got the same problem with one of my loco's that has a MRC decoder in it. I'm thinking I might just rip it out and install a better quality decoder. I've posted this story before, but it pretty well represents what MRC decoder quality has been like.MMR Gerry Hopkins was given 8 MRC sound decoders for free, so he installed them in 8 locos and took them to a weekend long train show. By the end of the weekend, ALL 8 MRC decoders had developed issues or had failed.Gerry's response to me was simply, "The best thing you can do with an MRC decoder is apply a sledge hammer." Needless to say, Gerry was not impressed.This was a couple years ago now, and I've heard MRC decoders have improved. But be aware you might possibly have to ditch that MRC decoder in favor of a better replacement. Okay, So can someone rate the decoder brands from best to worst to avoid-at-all-costs? I have found that questions asked are not always answered.
I think a basic ranking would be a great help. I personally love my Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 with the Tsunami. It is hard for me to justify buying anything but a Bachmann with the tsunami. But I only have the MRC and Tsunami to compare. Others here must have lots of ideas on this question...Trials and errors??
I don't know being an MMR makes you any wiser. I am one, and I made the mistake of buying a Genesis SD45-2 with a sound decoder. Yep! MRC, but didn't know what it was at the time. I have 5 other SD45-2's, no sound, and they run fine. I mentioned my problems with the MRC decoder on the NCE forum, which is my home almost, and got a chorus of "eck, yuck, oooo, and other assorted comments. I learned to turn the sound on and off with the F0 button, which isn't NMRA standard. I also learned that the diesel itself, which had run smoothly in a consist with another SD45-2 without sound, ran just fine until I got the sound to work.
Long story short, I turned the MRC decoder off, will replace it eventually with something that works, and I admit I am not smarter than a fifth grader, but I won't buy anymore sound units from Athearn.
Bob Miller
I have edited this text heavily due to developments since this morning.
David, it was decent of you to retract your statement to Bruce. Unfortunately, you greatly reduced the effect of your retraction by telling him and anyone else who might have been offended by your hasty statement that they need to grow thicker skin. By extension, that means me, and having led troops in confrontations against Turkish Soldiers in Cyprus 30 years ago, I feel my skin is plenty thick.
I regret my earlier convoluted post. I got lost in some details and didn't make myself very clear.
Let's move on from here.
Well I strongly disagree with your comments, David, which is my right. I suspect I have been modeling in this hobby a lot longer than you, starting in 1957, and I can remember when modelers would help other modelers even though we used visits and phone calls in those early days.
I have heard a lot of rumors about a lot of products, including MRC. I have been buying the Genesis SD45-2 without sound, now have 5. I decided to buy a sixth with sound, the price is right. I have been using DCC since 1999 and ran another command system before that, but I don't claim to have all the answers, and I bought the diesel. After a lot of frustration and trying this and trying that, including advice from my fellow NCE users on their forum, the new SD45-2 has become an expensive dummy and the MRC is in the trash can awaiting the next pickup.
Thank you and good day. also this forum is not the best place to pick up factual information as most threads end up in personal attacks rather than good information.