Ok, I have a Zephy Xtra, SE8C, DT402, and PR3. Hook up is: Computer, (Win 7, back up Win XP) PR3, Zephyr Xtra, SE8C, Throttle port to DT402. (I have also done computer, PR3, Zephyr, Throttle port, SE8C.) Other than the PR3/Computer, SE8C and Command station are on one designated surge protector/power strip, that is for layout only, that when I'm not running my layout is unplugged from outlet. (Computer/PR3 on same battery-back-up/surge protector separate from layout.) My SE8C suddenly stopped working correctly (Not responding for turnout commands) and I tried to re-program it using my PR3/DecoderPro. (Thought maybe it had somehow "Lost" the addresses???) My PR3 would not respond to the computer commands. (Error message said it was not found.) I unplugged the power supply from the PR3 and it shut off, even though I still had USB plugged in. (This is the 2nd time PR3 USB failed, first time was repaired by Digitrax) Now, PR3 I can see having issues if (Big IF) there was a power surge, but the SE8C too? And nothing else gets harmed? (Computer, Throttle, etc... I had already had an issue with my command station, but I had planned on upgrading anyway to the Xtra, was an original Zephyr, It quit providing power to throttle port... About 2 months before this... ) Do I have some kind of electrical glitch? Did I overlook something? Or do I just have the "problem" unit?
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I have a very similar setup- no DT402, I use WiThrottle instead.
Are you using JMRI on the computer? PR3 actually works even without power supply as long as you are not using it to program locos - so you really Need to remove USB and power.
The se8c has pretty painful edge connector wiring. Have you checked to see if there are shorts or opens there?
these are the two things I can think of. I have (touchwood) had no problems so far.
NP.
I am using JMRI/DecoderPro, and that's the problem, my PR3 will not light up without the power supply, but the computer (JMRI/DecoderPro) says that it is not finding the PR3, even with the power supply. (And both Win 7 and Win XP computers do this.... I was aware of an "issue" with JMRI/PR3/Win7 "losing" the drivers, so I kept one with XP as backup...) I had one loco to program with it, and I had just left the power supply plugged in (on computer's surge protector/battery backup) afterwards, I figured if I spent the money to get it I may as well use it, so now a work-bench/computer desk programming track.... ( Could be the problem?)
On the SE8C, would that cause the problem but still be providing power to the rest of the SE8C's functions? (I have not set up auto-throw, but it will reverse current turnout settings when powered up..... Still have yet to install Detection and signals....)
Rick
Sounds like you have a bad USB cable between the computer and PR3. Try another. You should be able to get the computer to recognize the PR3 without a power supply, the basic interface functionality is powered via the USB port, only the standalone program mode needs a power supply.
If you are prone to surges, might want to try the Locobuffer-USB, the interface between the computer and Loconet in it is optically isolated, so surges can't get from the computer to the layout or vice-versa (direct lightning strikes on your house or in the immedate vacinity, well, nothing can stop that). No standlone programming withthe Locobuffer, but you CAN have more than one device connected to JMRI - on my layotu room computer I have a PR3 with a test track set up as an off-layout programmer plus an old serial port Locobuffer for using JMRI panels and WiThrottle. Both can be active at the same time - when I open the programmer it talks to the PR3 and when I have a throttle screen up it talks to the layout through the Locobuffer.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Update,
Unfortunately, it is not the USB cable, nor computer port. So back goes the PR3 to Digitrax. looks like a locobuffer may be on the list of items to get in the near future as well.
Now if I can get the SE8C to reprogram with just zephyr at least some will be well....