MRC Prodigy controller

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When running my HO trains with the MRC Prodigy DCC system It only takes a 20 degrees on the control knob to get the engines to full speed, the other 340 degrees I don't use. Is there any way to get the full use of the speed control? I've got 2 different types of decoders and they act the same. It's really hard to control a loco with so very little movement of the knob.

-- Tom Ziegler (zelecttrain@home.com), February 04, 2002

Answers

I have the same problem, although control is not too bad with the older Athern locomotives. I'm wondering if I would program the decoder speed table CV setting with the Digitrax PC programming software, the speed control might be better.

-- Bill Moede (bmoede@tds.net), February 26, 2002.

Tom, I have the same unit and havn't had any trouble programming the Digitrax DH-121"s in my locos. You might reprogram the starting voltage. If it's too high you're kicking the initial voltage way up thus starting on the high end of the power curve.

-- Dick Jones (segredar@kaballero.com), March 01, 2002.

I have tried programming MRC decoders with the PR-1 and had no luck. Any ideas on this?

My Prodigy system works well with Factory default setting for Digitrax decoders with the Proto RDC and the Bachman Doodlebug, also older Athearn Locos are not too bad either. I installed a MRC 310 decoder in a Proto SW-7 and it is almost useless, very little speen control. But with all of this still the same problem, the Prodigy throttle still uses only about the first 30% of the throttle range to go from 0 to full speed, it seems as if turing the throttle past 30 or 40 on the scale has no further effect.

-- Bill Moede (bmoede@tds.net), March 03, 2002.


Try Debbie Ames at deb@tttrains.com. She might have an answer for you.

-- Dick Jones (segredar@kaballero.com), March 03, 2002.

Have you tried programming the starting voltage and the maximum voltage of your locomotives? Instructions for doing this are located at http://www.modelrec.com/files/Prodigy_insts.pdf on pages five and six. This may or may not solve the problem, but it's a thought!

-- Preston Clark (prestonclark@hotmail.com), April 06, 2002.


I have a similar problem because I am running "L gauge", (Lego trains) which have a nominal 9V motor. I have found that by reducing the AC voltage going into my controller (Control 2000) I can reduce the track voltage without any apparent effect on the electronic operation.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), April 07, 2002.

I have a similar problem. Have tried programing the start and max voltage. Seems to have no effect. Momentum programing works fine. In fact all else is great. I'm running between 5 and 20 on the throttle. Need to spread it out . Ideas?

Bob

-- Bob Libert (irghost@tampabay.rr.com), October 05, 2002.


I've been having similar problems. I've tried programming the max voltage feature, but that doesn't appear to work - when I program other features a loco will move slightly because voltage is going to the decoder. When I try programming max voltage, it doesn't move at all. I'm very dissatisfied with Prodigy. Would anyone from MRC care to chime in?

-- Jeffrey Kuta (j_kuta@yahoo.com), November 11, 2002.

I have a similar problem when I am using the older Digitrax decoders. The new didgtrax decoders seem to operate more smoothly. Could this be the new decoders are at a default 28 step, while the older decoders are default at 14 speed steps? Anyone out there from MRC that can shed some light on this?

-- Wolfgang Neumaier (jrbmarsh@telus.net), December 05, 2002.

I just converted my layout to the Prodigy system 3 weeks ago.I had the same problem.I have used only MRC 315 decoders so far.Yesterday I put a decoder in a Kato engine and the same problem,however a set up my test track for both DC and DCC.I found the starting voltage using DC and then reprogramed the engine with the starting voltage, set the max voltage and the maximum momentum and I get good control of the engine.I am presently going back to do the same with the other engines I have.It seems if you program the whole ten yards you get good control if you don't it's basically all or nothing.

-- Robert Terrano (orchid1@optonline.net), February 12, 2003.


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