I was thinking of setting up a remote programming track. Was wondering if some of you use a separate system like a Digitrax Zepher System? Will it do the job?
Craig North Carolina
It sure can, but do yourself a favor and get a Digitrax PR3 and then use Decoder Pro on a surplus PC.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Again, showing my lack of knowledge about all things electronic, how much PC is needed? I have an old PC (about 8 years old). Will that do?
I have it running on an 9 year old, not very powerful Windows 2000 box and a slightly newer 5 year old Win XP box and it runs fine.
As simon1966 has indicated, JMRI doesn't need a lot of processor power or the absolute latest OS. I even ran it for a while on an old IBM Aptiva 2162-S9C. (Of course, that was an older release of JMRI )
But it uses Java, so you will need an OS recent enough that it supports Java 1.5 or you may have compatibility issues. Linux seems to be a good choice for older hardware that would otherwise fall into the "doorstop" category. There are a number of regulars on the JMRI Yahoo! group who use Ubuntu.
Also, sufficient memory in that old hardware is a must. Java is a memory hog, and JMRI performance will suffer if you don't have enough RAM.
EDIT: Reworded for clarity.
8 year old PC should be fine. You can downlaod JMRI and try it without an interface, just pick "Loconet SImulator" for the interface type.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I agree 100% with the Digitrax PR3 and Decoder Pro. I still have a Digitrax MS100. I was going to toss it when I bought a PR3 as I use the PR3 with my new laptop PC (Windows Vista). I moved my old desktop PC (Windows 98SE) to the basement (layout) and it programed just fine with either the MS100 or PR3.
I work away from home and take the PR3 with me so I can use it when I install DCC decoders in my locomotives.
I purchased a new laptop for my wife and moved her desktop PC (Windows XP) to the basemnt and tossed the old Windows 98SE desktop. It is using my old Digitrax MS100 with Decoder Pro but also works great with my PR3.
I have a Digitrax DCS 100, however I do not program from the layout. I have a six foot test track at my work bench for programing and testing locomotives.
I also have a six foot test track in my apartment too and recently picked up a Zepher (Ebay) to run the test track, however all programing is done with the PR3 and Laptop PC. (I was using a DB150 from the home layout to run the apartment test track.)
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Aikidomaster I was thinking of setting up a remote programming track. Was wondering if some of you use a separate system like a Digitrax Zepher System? Will it do the job?
Well the Zephyr does have an output for a programming track. I just use an isolated section of my model railroad, so I don't have to carry stuff from the layout to the programming track. Of course I use the Zephyr to run the (smallish) layout. I just use a DPDT switch to choose whether that section of track is getting DCC or the programming output.
I do have DecoderPro set up on my PC, which is handy for sound decoders with many options, but still use the Zephyr to adjust one or two CVs at a time or when speed matching.