We are in need of some help to determine which MRC sound decoder is in the Genesis F units. Is it a Brilliance or some other model? Is it recognized by DecoderPro? Are there any special manuevers needed to get DecoderPro to “see” it? Thanks folks.
Normally I hate when people reply with other links, but if you do a search in this forum on “Genesis MRC decoder” I am certain one of those threads has answered this question, even if the answer is - unfortunately no.
The ones in Athearn locos are a custom version made for Athearn by MRC, they are not the same as the aftermarket sound decoders sold by MRC- Brilliance or otherwise.
–Randy
I don’t have any MRC decoders, and from what I read, if I did, I’d replace them immediately.
From what I see in posts here and on the JMRI user’s group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jmriusers/, it appears they are some sort of hybrid or special version.
Since they don’t support read-back, it’s impossible to tell what the *&^%# they are by reading CVs 7 and 8. Doesn’t matter whether you’re using your command station directly or DecoderPro, if the wretched thing doesn’t support read-back, nothing is going to read it.
Neither Athearn nor MRC provide any detail about these decoders on their websites, which I suspect means they just don’t want to admit what garbage they are.
As you’ll see in most of the many threads on the subject, your best bet is to return the engine if you can, get one without a decoder and install a “real” sound decoder. Failing that, rip out the MRC, throw it away, and install a decent one.