I’m about to do a board swap decoder installation using an MRC 1803 in an early LifeLike P2K PA. (Yes, I know about the rep. of MRC sound decoders.) It will be my first install of a decoder other than several 8 pin plus-ins.
The simple question is can I use the program track on my MRC PA Wireless to see if the decoder is correctly hooked-up? I browsed earlier posts on this forum, and I didn’t get a clear picture if it was safe to do so. As long as I don’t fry it, I can solve the rest of the programming issue I think.
Mike
The current supplied to your program track is at a level to be safe for your decoder. I don’t know if the MRC 1803 supports CV read back but you can try reading and changing CVs without worrying about a fried decoder.
Joe
Mike.
Regardless of what type of installation you do either a plug in, hard wire, board replacement or multiple decoders. Always put on the program track first. This will tell you if there is a problem or a short. Hopefully the decoder will come out unscathed but I have had decoders fry on the program track. I had 2 eight pin plug ins fry once. It turned out to be bad decoders. I have also seen bad factory light boards that would have fried a decoder if it was on the main but was detected on the program track.
Pete
Yes, definitely go with the programming track. If the decoder doesn’t perform properly there, do NOT put it on the main.