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Post by alco539 on Jun 25, 2012 6:50:48 GMT -8
Good morning folks.
On another thread I mention that I now have DCC (NCE PowerCab) and I bought a N scale BLI E7A/E6B with sound. I really like the diesel sound effects. Now, I want more!
It looks like MRC has many "drop-in" sound decoders for loco's I already own. It would be cheaper to add a decoder to an existing loco, and since there's not many RTR N scale loco's with sound anyway, there's no other choice. Also, I want to avoid machining a chassis or wiring in a decoder. I can do it, I have a machine shop and worked for Verizon for 32 years. I just don't want too! However, at seventy dollars or so a pop, I don't want to invest in MRC if they are not that good.
At my LHS they say stay away from anything MRC DCC, but I see on the various forums that people are using MRC without problems. What's the "real" deal going on here? I have MRC DC controllers that are 30+ years old and still work great. I think in general they are a very good product. I know, apples/oranges.
Regards Charley.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Jun 25, 2012 7:14:23 GMT -8
I've never heard anything to positive on the MRC sound. I've never had any so can't say for sure.
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Post by Mark R. on Jun 25, 2012 19:52:38 GMT -8
A friend of mine has done numerous sound installs using Loksound Micro decoders and their 13mm speakers, and the sound has been amazing for such a small size.
The Loksound micro decoders are the smallest sound decoders out there, not to mention their superior motor control. I've installed many of Loksound's decoders in HO as well and they are great decoders.
As for the MRC decoders .... have heard way too many problems with them to be comfortable recommending them. That's not to say they are all bad, it just seems they have a rather high rate of failure comparable to others.
Mark.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 26, 2012 14:33:42 GMT -8
alco539,
I dunno about their N-scale decoders, but if they are anything like their HO scale decoders, then they are J-U-N-K. Avoid them if at all possible.
Why? In my club, they have a 50% failure rate. Half of every MRC decoder that's come into our club has either failed to program or failed in service. And we're not a small club, with around 70 members and over 1200 locos on our register. They have a terrible reputation that is well earned.
No DCC manufacturer is perfect, and they all have occasional bad products or even whole series of products. But no other DCC manufacturer has the failure rate of MRC. Bar none.
In addition to that, they don't even have the right recordings. Ironically enough, your handle (alco539) is something they have a problem with. Their drop-in HO decoder for the Atlas S-1 to S-4 is actually an Alco 244 sound effect. Oops. Of course, it should be an Alco 539, but don't try to tell MRC that. They'll just lie to your face like they did to me (I asked them about that in person at Springfield one year).
They still make great DC powerpacks, but their DCC decoders (and early DCC products) should be avoided unless you want to take the chance that you might get a lemon. About the only DCC thing they make that's worth anything is their latest DCC system. I've heard no complaints, really, about that.
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Post by alco539 on Jun 26, 2012 14:50:17 GMT -8
Thank you Folks. Paul, your report is what my LHS guy has stated with "expletives" deleted. I'm not sure "which scale" he has the most experience with, but I'm sure the electronics are the same for all. It's too bad, I was hoping to save myself some work. I guess I'll have to fire-up one of the milling machines to machine some frames. Regards Charley.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jun 27, 2012 7:40:34 GMT -8
Some other non-fun factors with MRC HO sound decoders:
1). They cannot be read.
2). All programming needs to be done with "OPS MODE" (mainline track only, no programming track).
3). If they lose power for any reason, they need to be "restarted" before they'll move. This gets especially interesting when you have 3 or more engines lashed up together because each one needs to be restarted before they'll move.
4). IMHO, they don't sound good. The air releases tend to sound like static, and the 2nd generation turbo-equipped diesels tend to sound like jet engines.
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Post by p42hogger on Apr 27, 2013 19:24:08 GMT -8
I am using the new series and ave no issues. And if you need to program on the main so what I use the MRC system that allows it and I don't need any special programs, attachments or anything else to do it.
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Post by bnsffan on Apr 28, 2013 12:59:21 GMT -8
p42hogger,
If you program on the main, do you have to remove all other locomotives from the main?
Respectfully,
bnsffan
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Post by p42hogger on Apr 29, 2013 18:07:15 GMT -8
No I can leave all other locomotives on the main
quote author=bnsffan board=dccforum thread=279 post=16771 time=1367182761]p42hogger,
If you program on the main, do you have to remove all other locomotives from the main?
Respectfully,
bnsffan[/quote]
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Post by Brakie on May 6, 2013 3:27:40 GMT -8
I like my MRC 567 sound decoder and it works as designed on simple DCC operations.
I understand the problems start once you start fooling with the CVs.
I forgot to mention I use their Tech 6 DCC/DC controller which is light years above your standard DC power pack.You can even set the start and top volt in the DC mode as well as momentum.
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