I'd like some advice on a programming track booster. I'm running a Digitrax DCS 100 with 402R throttles. I have a dedicated programming track completely isolated from the layout using the program track leads on the DCS 100. As I understand it the PowerPax would do the job. But if I wanted to use JMRI's Decoder Pro I guess I'd need a Digitrax PR3. So I guess the question is will the PR3 function as a straight up program track booster until I take the leap into Decoder Pro?
No, the PR3 is a Loconet to computer interface that can also function as a standalone programmer (not connected to the DCS100). If used as a Loconet interface, it allows software on your computer such as JMRI to operate the DCS100 like a throttle and program exactly the same as using your throttle, only no CVs to look up since it's all on various screens in JMRI. When operated as a standalone device, it needs a power supply, and connects between your computer and an isolated piece of track. I NEEDS a program like JMRI to do any programming.
Mine is set up in the standalone mode. I use the Digitrax PS14 power supply with it, but it is good for up to an 18V DC power supply. Some have had better results with the higher voltage power supplies, but with the PS14 mine has been able to read and write any decoder I've tried - Tsunami, QSI, Loksound, MRC, TCS, NCE, Digitrax. No problems, and no extra booster needed.
In the Loconet interface mode (called MS100 mode because that was the old Digitrax interface device) it can do no more than you can using the throttle, so if you have problems programming certain decoders now, it will be no better using the PR3 interfaced to the DCS100.
My opinion is that program track boosters are NOT needed and a waste of money. But should you decide to get one, get the Soundtraxx PTB-100, NOT the Power Pax. Check places like the JMRI and Soundtraxx and QSI message boards on Yahoo, most people have a greater success with ALL decoders using the PTB-100.
You can use a program track booster with the PR3 in standalone mode as well, but with a 14V or better power supply this shouldn't be necessary.
--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 with Randy - If you feel you need a 'booster' - Get the Soundtraxx one.
To use JMRI(Decoder Pro), you need a connection from your computer to the Digitrax LocoNet. There are several options here:
Be aware, these are not 'programming' boosters. But they are needed to get Decoder Pro 'talking to your Digitrax LocoNet. They talk USB to your computer, and LocoNet to your Digitrax system.
As mentioned, if you need a 'booster', you can buy either the PowerPax or the PTB-100 - I would go with the later. I have had only one engine I could not program on the program track. It was an Athearn Genesis MP15AC with an MRC sound decoder.. I was able to use Decoder Pro to program the individual CV's 'on the main'. I even tried it at the club(they have a PowerPax) and could not program it on the their program track! The problem with some sound decoder is that they suck a lot of juice and many times the feeble current to the programming track is just too weak. I have never had a non-sound decoder NOT program on the programming track. I would invest in a PR-3 or LocoBuffer USB and get Decoder Pro set up before I would worry about getting a programming booster.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Dan Bowman But if I wanted to use JMRI's Decoder Pro I guess I'd need a Digitrax PR3. So I guess the question is will the PR3 function as a straight up program track booster until I take the leap into Decoder Pro?
If you're eventually going to use JMRI anyway, get the PR3 with a suitable power supply and skip the programming track booster altogether. You won't need it.
The issue with the PR3 is that the PS14 power supply that Digitrax recommends simply doesn't have the "oomph" that some sound decoders require.
However, with a power supply in the 16-18VDC range, it will program those difficult sound decoders with no problems whatsoever. Just don't exceed 20VDC, as the doc from Digitrax states that's the maximum the PR3 can accept.
I use my PR3 with an 18VDC regulated power brick salvaged from an old inkjet printer (it even had the proper 2.1mm, center-positive power plug). It reads and writes reliably to EVERY sound decoder I own, no programming booster required: QSI v6 and v7, Soundtraxx LC and Tsunami, and of course Digitrax sound decoders.
Others have reported similar results using power supplies in the 16-18VDC range.
Hello Dan,
All previous posts are correct in that you don't 'need' a programming track booster. I too use a DCS-100 and my experience was the same (no problems) except when I tried to use JMRI to read pages of variables from sound decoders. I now use the Soundtraxx PTB-100. It is permanently wired into my programming track and I have experienced no issues. As well, I recommend the Locobuffer-USB from RR-CirKits to interface with JMRI.
Dwayne A
I also am using the PB-100 and am very happy with it. So another vote for the PB-100 if you need a program track booster.
I have the PR3 and I am happy with it as a stand alone programmer and connecting to my command station. I would really recommend it because using decoder pro is the best thing out there for programming locomotives. If you are going to spend extra money on a program track booster I would recommend you rather put that money into a PR3.
Chris
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
Photos at:Flicker account
YouTube:StellarMRR YouTube account
Now that I have a PTB 100 attached to my Zephyr I can program anything. The ability to read back CVs into Decoder Pro for safekeeping was important to me. I could do some programming on the main but of course not read back the CVs. I was not able to Program Tsunami and QSI decoders on my program track nor read back any CV values. With the PTB 100 I can do both. I'm quite happy with this unit.
Joe
I'm starting to wonder if it's mass reads, or JMRI trying to read too fast, that causes some of these issues. I can do Read All Sheets and Read All with the PR3, no problems, on anything I've stuck on there (and I take my PR3 program track and laptop to train shows with the club and deal with lots of different locos, not just my own fleet of mostly the same decoder). My Zephyr with a piece of flex track attached as a program track has no problems reading my one Tsunami, or a QSI - via my DT402 throttle. No blast mode, no booster. I haven't tried with JMRI though - the program track is at one end of my room and the computer is at the other, and the computer has the PR3 sitting right next to it so when I use JMRI it's always with the PR3's dedicated program track, JMRI to the layout is used for running trains.
I know I can't be the only one who has this working, with no boosters, and the PR3 using just the basic PS14 power supply. Guess I got lucky on component tolerances or something. The only trouble I ever had was reading another club member's loco trying to figure out what decoder he had in it, since he didn;t remember. Turns out it was an MRC which are spotty for readback on anything, in that case I was able to get JMRI to read it by reading only a few CVs at a time rather than trying to read the entire decoder in one shot. I persisted mostly from curiosity, all he wanted to do was swap the direction and for simple programming like that I just use a throttle, it's quicker than JMRI. I also thought maybe I would ruin my good luck when I modified the program track unit to ass my Lokprogrammer, the original design had about 4 total inches of wire between the PR3 and the rails, the change added a DPDT toggle to select between the PR3 and Lokprogrammer track outputs, which added length and potential slight resistence in the switch contacts, but it still performs the same.
And for reference, another thing I like about ESU decoders, even the sound ones program easily with no extra power. In fact, the Lokprogrammer uses only a 12V power supply!
I am programming with a Zephyr Xtra/PR3/Decoder Pro. The only engine that did not 'program' was a MP15AC with the MRC sound decoder. If I put the Zephyr into 'Blast Mode'(program track commands to the Main). I can program that MRC decoder's address. Of course I cannot 'read' back the CV's on that decoder. My PR3 is powered by a PS14 as well. I was able to program a Tsunami the other day for a friend - On the Program Track without a booster...
rrinker I'm starting to wonder if it's mass reads, or JMRI trying to read too fast, that causes some of these issues.
I'm starting to wonder if it's mass reads, or JMRI trying to read too fast, that causes some of these issues.
Hmmmmm, I wonder that as well Randy. It sounds like I have a similar experience/set up as Joe.
Using a DCS-51, I had no problems programming until I met the Athearn SD-70Ace with Tsunami. Could not program the units to save my life. It wouldn't even work on the main. Ever since I installed the PB-100 the problem has gone away.
I cannot understand how it's even possible for programming on the main to fail. I've mever EVER seen that happen. In fact once past basic settings almost all of my programming is on the main, it's the best wya to set a sound decoder, beats running back and forth trying to set volumes and so forth, you can hear it immediately when doing POM. Same with other things like selcting which of the various horn sounds is used - program, hit F2..nope, program next value, F2..ah, that's the one.
A booster of course has no effect whatsoever on POM. There are just certain things you cannot do - read back is one, and programming the current active address is another - if the loco ise set on a 2 digit address, you cannot generally change the 2 digit address, but you CAN set a 4 digit address and then program CV29 to activate it. And vice-versa, if it's already using a 4 digit address.