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| Photo # 1 Two CB&Q E-8's On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ& E With The Monterrey Mountains In The Background |
The MRC sound decoder #1645 Installation in a Kato E-8 is a reasonably easy installation. MRC claims that the #1645 sound decoder is a plug n' play decoder. This is an erroneous assumption. The plastic frame of the E-8 has to be filed down in ten places to get the decoder to be properly seated on the locomotive frame.
The MRC # 1645 sound decoder has a MSRP of about $110. You can probably purchase this decoder online for $75. This was one of MRC's first sound decoders in N scale. The sound is reasonable and motor functions of this decoder can be adjusted so the locomotive will run well. It will take a short period of time to get two E-8's consisted together and running properly. Kato diesels tend to run fast so adjustments are necessary.
MRC # 1645 Sound Decoder Fits both the Kato P 42 and the Kato E8/9. The decoder has 28 functions, 8 bells and 16 horns ( See Photo # 2 ).
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| Photo # 2 MRC # 1645 Sound Decoder Fits Both The Kato E8/9 & The Kato P42 |
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| Photo # 3 The MRC # 1645 Sound Decoder Has The Speaker Mounted On Top Of The Decoder |
The MRC # 1645 sound decoder has the speaker mounted on top of the decoder.
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| Photo # 4 The Shells Of The E-8's Are Easy To Remove |
The shell of the E-8 "A" unit is easy to remove. First, the front coupler of the E-8 "A" unit has to be removed before the frame can be removed ( See Photo # 5 ). The rear coupler of the "A" doesn't have to be removed. If you are working on a "B" unit, both couplers can remain in place.
You can remove the shell by using two small jeweler's screwdrivers placed between the frame and shell. Then the shell can be dis-engaged ( See Photo # 4 ).
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| Photo # 5 The Front Coupler Have To Be Removed First Before The Frame Can Be Removed |
Remove the original light board of the E-8 by lifting off the gray retaining clip and lifting the two motor contacts under the clip straight up ( See Photo # 6 ). The light board will be released easily.
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| Photo # 6 The Original Light Board Has To Removed |
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| Photo # 7 Two MRC # 1645 Sound Decoders Removed From Package. |
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| Photo # 8 The Plastic Frame Of The E-8 Has To Be Adjusted In Ten Places |
The plastic frame of the E-8 has to be adjusted in ten places ( Photo # 8 ). I've marked the frame in ten places with a purple marker. The protrusions from the frame have to trimmed to the base of the plastic frame in order for the decoder to seated properly.
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| Photo # 9 Kapton Tape placed Around Decoder To Prevent Contact With Locomotive Frame. |
Kapton tape must be placed around the MRC # 1645 sound decoder in to places to prevent the decoder from contacting the contact strips on the frame. Seat the decoder on the frame of the E-8, bend the motor contacts in place and replace the gray clip which keeps the decoder in place ( See Photo # 9 ).
Program both locomotives on a programming track to obtain addresses for each locomotive. Now test each locomotive on the mainline before placing the shells back on the locomotive. If the E-8's run properly, the shells can be placed on the E-8's.
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| Photo # 10 CB&Q E-8 On The Mainline Of The Upper level Of The "Original" JJJ&E |
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| Photo # 11 CB&Q E-8's Leaving San Marino On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E |
Photo's # 10 & Photo #11 show CB&Q E-8's On The Upper Level Of The "Original" JJJ&E. After the diesels are running for a short break in period ( 30 minutes ). You then can program all the CV values that are needed to get this diesel performing to your satisfaction.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteHow is the sound card secured to the frame? Just by those two copper contacts and plastic clip?
I am curious because the sound card must be heavy because of the weight of the speaker.
ReplyDeleteYou use Kapton tape to secure the MRC decoder to the frame. The gray plastic clip holds the two motor contacts of the E-8 in contact with the decoder. You can easily see the Kapton tape in Photo # 9. Kapton tape is used on all MRC sound decoders to hold the decoder in place.
ReplyDeleteThanks! One more question ~ After installing the decoder, is there enough space to make sit the Loco shell perfectly. Because I was reading in one of the forum that the shell doesn't sit completely in the front of the engine. Is it true?
DeleteReason for my asking this is because after hunting for months I managed to get a pair Kato N EMD E8/9A + A Canadian Pacific #1800 and 1802 so I would like to do what you did to your CB&Q E-8A + A.
Thanks for your advices in advance.
Hey. It's Marty from Trainboard. Miss ya... Anyway, is there a way to run without sound? I can't find a master volume. Thanks
ReplyDeleteTry CV #122 with value 0. This will stop the Prime Mover sound. There is no master volume on this decoder.
ReplyDeleteThat's correct Ashis. CV 122 =0 will turn off the prime mover.
ReplyDelete