If CV19 isn't set to 0, (this is the consist number), the MRC decoders will react randomly to instructions when not in the intended consist. Resetting the CVs does NOT clear many of these values, which is where the MRC gets a bum rap. In their defense, the actions taken on factory reset are not specified in the DCC specifications (which aren't all that good, and need to be redone, perhaps DCC2 which is rumored to be in the works). Many a DCC decoder has been returned as "broken" instead of being properly reset. Other than this, my F7 decoders will eventually overheat (about 5 hours constant running) and will need to cool down for a while. This does not seem to hurt the decoder. http://www.tonystrains.com/products/mrc_sound.htm#reset
The nw2 board is 1951 and does say coming soon. Whatever that means. The one I asked about is 1954. On second glance it says universal which I guess means not a drop in board. Oh well.
N Scale: How difficult is it to replace a MRC 32 ohm 10 mm speaker with a 10 mm 8 ohm one, and what speakers are recommended? Secondly, will replacing the sealed fan vents on say a Kato SD70MAc with the open BLMA fans and vents increase the sound output from a 32ohm speaker?
Replacing the speaker is pretty easy and it does help. I used a soundtraxx 10mm. Not sure if going to the fan is a very good idea. I built an enclosure for my SD70 that uses the soundtraxx speaker and it sounds like crap, even with the enclosure, until you install the shell. The shell body acts as a second resonating chamber and the whole shell resonates the sound. If you let it out through a fan grille, it won't have the same effect. The white box is the enclosure... This is one of the early decoders and the speaker was loose from the main board. The newer generation decoders have the speaker mounted to the decoder board so you may end up trashing the stock speaker to get it off and out of the way. Here is how it sounds when all is said and done.... [video=youtube;1hF_iq4gWWE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hF_iq4gWWE[/video]
I am runing 7 Kato SD70ACe's 4 with the 1844's w/sound 1 with the 1842 w/o sound and 1 with the new 1960 16bit sound. I haven't had any problems at all. The only thing I have to complain about is the new 1960's led's are surface mounted and the light is less than stellar... Here is a pic left stock Kato light-board @9v middle 1960 right 1844.... P.S. 1 with a TCS... All drop in....
Sound is in the Susquehenna SD70. The SP SD45 has a DZ143 in for motor and lighting control only. The lighting on the SD70 is turned off because it is in the middle of the consist. Lighting is set up so it is directional per the consist, not the loco. In reverse, the GP38 on the tail lights, and the headlight and ditchlights in the SD45 dim.
I replaced the 32ohm speaker in a Kato SD70Mac with a 8ohm Soundtraxx, and there is definitely an improvement in the sound levels.
I put MRC 1808 sound decoders into two Kato SD80s (running them in consist) and the sound levels are terrific. No need to go to 8ohm speakers. The click clack sound can be heard quite clearly, which I believe is a good test of the sound emanating from the locomotive. Very impressed.
