Hooking my PR 3 to my SEB question

[cudaken]

 I need more power to the PR 3 so it can read sound decoders. Booklet does not have much in the way of details. Person at Digitrax said if I hook the PR 3 to the SEB it will be able to read sound decoders.

 SEB does not have terminals for a programing track. Booklet shows the PS 14 power supply going to the PR 3, USB going to my computer, Loconet cable going to the back of the PR 3 and has (for MS100 mode operation)  and then the programing track gets it power from the PR 3.

 Does the Loconet cable carry track power? My guess is it does not, am I right?

 I am using Decoder Pro and there is a section that ask if I want to program on the main line, or something like that. This is what I am guessing I need to do. Programing track will be on my desk, not the bench!

 Hook the PR 3 to the face of my DB 150, unplug DB 150 from my bench. Run power from the DB 150 Rail A B terminals to the programing track on my desk, hook PR 3 to the to my computer. Will not use the DT 400 or the PS 14 power supply that I use to power the PR 3. Am I right and if not let me know! 

 Need to remap my Big Boy Loksound decoder. Speaking of my Big Boy Loksound decoder. From what I have read the SEB will only control F functions to F 9 with the DT 400. With the Lokdecoder if I hit button A 10, B 11 or C 12 I get different sounds?

 Thanks for the coming answer from the smart people.

                              Cuda Ken 

 

[rrinker]

 To use the PR3 via your computer and the DB150 to program:

  PR3 to computer via USB cable. No PS14 needed, the PR3 will power off your computer throught he USB.

 PR3 Loconet cable to one of the ports on your DB150.

DB150 needs its power supply.

Rail A and B wires from DB150 hooked to a piece of track. Track outputs of the PR3 NOT connected to anuything

Now when you fire it all up and open up JMRI, when you go into program mode, the track will become a program track just like when you select a program mode on the DT400. You can also use the throttle in JMRI to actually run a train once you exit program mode and turn the track power back on. When you first go into JMRI you'll have to change the PR3 to MS100 mode (there's an option in JMRI to do this, you don't need to press the buttons on the PR3). First thing to try once you have it hooked up is the track power on/off option in JMRI and verify that the track power light ont he DB150 goes on and off, this will verify that the communications is working. There is a slight chance that if you are using a laptop to do this, it might not put power out on the USB port, there are a few laptops like that. In which case you need to hook the PS14 up to the PR3.

You do not need to hook up the DT400 to do this.

                                        --Randy

 

[Stevert]

cudaken

 From what I have read the SEB will only control F functions to F 9 with the DT 400. With the Lokdecoder if I hit button A 10, B 11 or C 12 I get different sounds?

 Thanks for the coming answer from the smart people.

                              Cuda Ken 

 

 

Ken,

  Not true as long as you have a relatively recent DB150 and a DT400 or newer throttle. 

  The original NMRA spec was for F0-F8, and Digitrax incorporated that into thir command stations.  When the NMRA upped that to F12, Digitrax implemented F9-F12 in their throttles and added a pass-thru ability to their command station firmware.

  So unless you have a DB150 from an old Genesis set, you should be able to use F0-F12 (and above).

  The exception is when you use a UR90.  It is not able to receive/pass the 5-byte packets needed for F9 and above.  But if you plug in, you're good.

HTH,
Steve

[rrinker]

 In fact, if you use the throttle in JMRI, you can get up to F28 today without waiting for a DT402.

                                              --Randy

[jamnest]

You can program sound decoders from a PR3 without your DB150, but you will need the PS-14 power supply.  This is explained in the PR3 user manual.

I have a Digitrax Chief with a DCS100, but I work away from home. At my work location I have an extra DB150  and a PR3 to use with my laptop.  I am using the time away from home to equip some of Athearn BB locomotives with sound decoders.  I have a short test track, but it is a pain to switch between the PR3 and the DB150 to test the locomotives.

At home I have a DCS100 connected to my test track via a PowerPax and have my old desk top PC connected to the layout via a MS100.  I was going to junk the MS100 when I got the laptop and PR3, but the old desk top PC has a serial port so I stail use the MS100.

I use DecodrPro at both locations and get great results; and the PR3 can read back CVs, which a stand alone DB150 can not do.