I just bought a MRC sound decoder for my AC4400CW and it was easy to install and program however, the sound is so low that I cant hardly hear it.I changed the CV's to full volume as per the instructions but still not loud.Any suggestions?
This is a very common problem with these MRC decoders. I don't think there are any solutions, other than to change out the speaker... unfortunately, it is impossible to find an 8 ohm speaker that is the correct size. My decoder was almost impossible to hear, and finally after dealing with MRC customer service, I came to the conclusion that I bought a very expensive decoder (without sound). It ended up running about 45 minutes before it self destructed (smoked and died).
I don't believe there is a resolution to this sound issue with these decoders. There are other speakers out there you could buy and try to replace however I believe this is something MRC should fix. I have 8 of these decoders none of them are worth the money spent to purchase them. I would love to get rid of them but I dont feel like spending more money on something that I waited so long to get my hands on. I have even sent these back to MRC for testing and they were returned in worse shape than when I recieved them new. Just for me I will not be giving them any more money. Hopefully some other company will get the sound toegther and we will get a useable product.
Have you drilled out the fan over the speaker to let more sound out? I have the MRC sound decoder in a Kato SD40-2 and I am pleased with the volume. I drilled out the fan over the speaker and replaced it with a BLMA brass fan. I saw this at The Freight Yard in Phoenix. Dave G Cache Valley & Northern RR
I wonder if it's just the sound decoder for the AC4400CW. :tb-err: I have an MRC sound decoder in my B40-8W and have it set to the lowest setting. I also have 5 of them in my SD40-2's and the volume is set to 1 and it's pretty much even with the dash 8. But the one in my F40PH is set to 0 and it's still quite loud. For the price, I don't mind them, considering what else is out there. -Mike
I have not tried drilling out the fans but I do not think that would work because I do not even have the shell on the chassis and I cant hear it now.I think I just got the shaft on these decoders but it will not happen again. Someone had told me that there is a global CV that I could change to up the volume.Has anyone heard of this?
The h*ll with the volume, I'd be happy if I could get mine to work without resetting every 10 seconds or so. Hit a patch of not pristinely clean track and dead stop, start again. Grrr.
Ken I'm with you on the resetting issue. In fact I got so mad at mine they are all pulled out and gathering dust I hate spending money on junk.
