Comments on: MRC 1663 Decoder For Atlas S2/4′s http://bs-and-t.com/2009/02/mrc-1663-decoder-for-atlas-s24s/ Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:15:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Skip Foster http://bs-and-t.com/2009/02/mrc-1663-decoder-for-atlas-s24s/comment-page-1/#comment-456 Skip Foster Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:04:08 +0000 http://bs-and-t.com/?p=615#comment-456 I have installed this decoder in at least 5 S2 or S4's and I have not had a lick of trouble with any of them. To turn on the sound on my locos I hit 8 and she comes alive. 3 taps of the 8 button shuts the sound down. I have the NCE wireless system. I have also used the MRC decoder for Athearn RS3 and it works fine as well. <strong><em>Once we got things figured out it's not that bad of a decoder. The issue of 2 presses of F0 was what was causing my problem. You'd think they'd have that in the documentation for the decoder. I do wish they had more speed adjustment in their decoders. Thanks for the comment! Scott I have installed this decoder in at least 5 S2 or S4′s and I have not had a lick of trouble with any of them. To turn on the sound on my locos I hit 8 and she comes alive. 3 taps of the 8 button shuts the sound down. I have the NCE wireless system. I have also used the MRC decoder for Athearn RS3 and it works fine as well.

Once we got things figured out it’s not that bad of a decoder. The issue of 2 presses of F0 was what was causing my problem. You’d think they’d have that in the documentation for the decoder.

I do wish they had more speed adjustment in their decoders.

Thanks for the comment!

Scott

]]> By: Chris Ruhl http://bs-and-t.com/2009/02/mrc-1663-decoder-for-atlas-s24s/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Chris Ruhl Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:06:02 +0000 http://bs-and-t.com/?p=615#comment-433 Hello, Scott! I had this same issue. I did my installation test on the 20-ohm resistor test track right after decoder installation. The sound came on and then went off and I had no idea what I did. I fugured that the reduced amperage and voltage from the resistor knocked out the sound. The S-2 did creep very slowly forward and backward so I knew my install was okay. I then removed the resistor and completed programming. MRC says that hitting any function key before starting the engine will bring sound. I found that didn't work. I then began hitting all function keys in succession and finally all came back on when I double-tapped the headlight key. I agree with you that these decoders are way too loud (this thing drowns out my Tsunami-equipped Atlas RS-11) and speed adjustment is tough but I find that I can temper that speed issue with the acel/decel buttons on my NCE control. Sadly, the noise is a bit tinny as well -- the Tsunami sound spoiled me a bit but the MRC offering isn't bad for the price in comparison. Cheers! Chris Ruhl Playing with trains since 1967 NMRA member since 1975 DCC since 2009 Hello, Scott!

I had this same issue. I did my installation test on the 20-ohm resistor test track right after decoder installation. The sound came on and then went off and I had no idea what I did. I fugured that the reduced amperage and voltage from the resistor knocked out the sound. The S-2 did creep very slowly forward and backward so I knew my install was okay. I then removed the resistor and completed programming.

MRC says that hitting any function key before starting the engine will bring sound. I found that didn’t work. I then began hitting all function keys in succession and finally all came back on when I double-tapped the headlight key.

I agree with you that these decoders are way too loud (this thing drowns out my Tsunami-equipped Atlas RS-11) and speed adjustment is tough but I find that I can temper that speed issue with the acel/decel buttons on my NCE control. Sadly, the noise is a bit tinny as well — the Tsunami sound spoiled me a bit but the MRC offering isn’t bad for the price in comparison.

Cheers!
Chris Ruhl

Playing with trains since 1967
NMRA member since 1975
DCC since 2009

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