Help please…I have a NCE radio system that works well except with Genesis second generation AB-F units. I believe the decoder is made by MRC. It works well in DC but will not accept a DCC program. I have tried Decoder Pro through a computer and it will not work either. The AB F units have a direction and speed control and sound but no bell or whistle sound or lighting effects. All these effects work under DC and I cannot program DCC to turned off completely. I have contacted Athern, NCE and MRC with no help. Does anyone know how I can program these units on an NCE DCC system? Thank you. Jim
Do you have a programming track? No mention of it here, but that’s how I do my programming mostly, then take it to the layout to make final adjustments with Ops mode programming. Many sound engines require a fairly high level of output for programming them. I suspect that Ops Mode doesn’t have enough oomph to do them.
It’s possible you may need a booster board to add enough kick to program a sound decoder even on the programming track. I don’t know if MRC makes such a thing, but Soundtraxx does (PTB100, IIRC). I do know that a booster board is NOT needed with the NCE PowerCab, which is what I use on my programming track.
Also, if the sound effects worked on DC but not DCC, I’d try a factory reset. By now it’s possible you’ve got it crossed up internally. Presuming it’s a dual-mode decoder, it should work on your NCE system.
Thank you for your reply. I have tried the programing track with no success. I have tried a booster on the programing track with no success. I have tried programing on the Main with no success. I have reset the units to factory specs with no success. I believe you may be correct in that the dual decoder is crossed internally but I don’t know how to fix it - neither Athern nor MRC are any help.
Jim.
The fact that they are MRC decoders is most likely the problem, because they have been known to be “unprogrammable” or to lose their programming every time the power is removed.
I have no experience with the particular MRC decoders you have, but the reset command for most MRC decoders is to set CV125 to a value of 1, which is different than any other brand. Try resetting to factory defaults and start over.
I agree.
I have have bad experiences with MRC decoders as have many on this Forum and we don’t recommend them. They don’t read back because that is the way they are made. The best way to program them is on the main, and that means removing all of you other engines from the layout. Programming them on the programming track allows you to program the decoder without knowing the address, but they will not read back. If you try that, don’t use a computer program like JMRI. Do it manually by using the hammer-head throttle and a programming track booster.
The best advice that I could give you is replace the decoders with Tsunamis from Soundtraxx. You should be able to use the speakers that you already have in the locos.
Thank you for the response. I feel slighted that I spent over $400 for the Athern AB units, and cannot get them to operate satisfactorily. Does anyone else have an idea that does not require me to replace the decoders?
Jim.
If the locomotives are still in warranty, call the company and send them back?
Thank you - but no warranty. I have used them for about 1 year on DC - very successfully. Terrible products for DC though.
Jim.
One thing to try is make sure you haven’t consisted them. Set CV19=0 That would be a common reason that you could select the address, and move the locos, but not activate any of the functions.
–Randy
Correction - Terrible products for DCC though.