Hi,
I operate an 11x15 two level HO layout using a Digitrax Super Chief with two boosters. The layout has a dedicated programming track and everything runs just great. The layout fills its room, and loco maintenance is done in a totally separate former spare bedroom - which I call the "hobby room".
The hobby room is where I build structures, rolling stock, and do maintenance on locos. I've got a 3 ft test platform, and rollers to aid in testing and maintanence.
My problem is, I don't have a DCC unit to test the locos in that room as I work on them. So my obvious question is, what can I get that would provide DCC power that I could install in that separate room?
Thank you,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Get yourself an SPROG. Hooked to a computer with JMRI, it can read and write program ANYTHING, plus it's a small (1 amp or so) DCC system so it can actually RUN a loco. I am considering replacing the PR3 on my test track with one, it seems more reliable.
http://www.sprog.us.com/
SPROG II is what you'd want.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy, you always seem to have excellent advice, and I truly appreciate that.
I am a tad confused with the "Sprog II". My main purpose in wanting "something" is to operate the motors and drive train on DCC locos on my test track and/or rollers - which would allow me to "lube and tune".
I had thought of getting a used zephyr and just keeping it in the hobby room for that purpose.
The Sprog appears to be for programming aids, and I don't understand how it would allow me to operate motors and drives in the test environment.
What am I missing?
MM, follow the Sprog II link for full details. It does both, programming and running DCC.
Rich
Alton Junction
I did that right away. But it appears like other stuff is needed to complete the set up.
According to the Sprog II User Guide, you will need to download Decoder Pro (freeware) and have a DC power pack on hand. Also, you will need a USB interface cable with a serial connector.
mobilman44I had thought of getting a used zephyr and just keeping it in the hobby room for that purpose.
If I had a D system, that's what I'd do.
Are the two rooms adjacent? If that's the case you could just run a couple wires from one room to the other, and operate the test track as a remote block from the main railroad.
MM.
I'm old fasion and use a power Cab at the workbench. The Power cab has no issues with programming high cap sound decoders such as BLI Paragon 2 and others.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I was rushed earlier, and need to answer your suggestions............
My main need is to run the DCC motors and drivetrains, and not programming. The dedicated programming track on the layout has worked extremely well for me (so far).
While the two rooms are adjacent, I really don't want to run wires off the layout, I prefer a separate "system".
I can get zephyrs for $110. The Sprog and other needed equipment is more than that - by how much, I'm not sure.
Lastly, PETE, forgive my ignorance, but what is a "power Cab"?
Thanks all!
That's an NCE Power Cab system.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
The PowerCab is a complete DCC system in a hand-held throttle, made by North Coast Engineering (NCE).
http://www.ncedcc.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3&category_id=1
MM,
I think to do what you intend, the used Zephyr would be a good choice. NCE Powercab would work but not be compatible with any of your existing Digitrax system. In a pinch that Zephy could stand in for your command station or an extra booster or an extra throttle on the main layout. Your Digitrax throttles would also work at the bench if desired.
I own a SPROG and am very happy with it. It would require a computer running JMRI to use at the bench even as a test system. I use mine mostly on the road in hotel rooms to fine tune engines before running at shows. It will program or run trains.
Martin Myers
Martin,
Thank you for the info and advice. As much as I enjoy my computer, I am not fond of the idea of hooking it to the trains. Why? Because I'm hard headed I guess.
Unless I hear anything to cause me to think otherwise, it appears like a used zephyr may be the way to go.
If you want a DCC system on your bench to set CV's and all that good stuff, then a used Zephyr, Power Cab, or even an MRC unit would be a good choice.
If you just want to do just basic movement to break in a loco and do the CV settings with your other system later, then I'd go for a used EZ command or Tam Valley's DCC Train Shuttle. Here is more info on the Tam Valley unit: http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
The SPROG is $105, and includes everything you need. There are no extras. It programs anything WITHOUT a program track booster, AND it can run trains, either on a length of track or on test rollers. It works with JMRI so you can set complex things like sound settings or speed curves, adn then you can, without changing anything, test run the loco and verify the changes. Or run multiple locos together and speed match them on the fly, or basically, whatever. For a small layout, an SPROG can be all you need - you cna run trins with on-screen throttles or WiThrottle or EngineDriver. It's really a full DCC system on a board, it just used JMRI to effectively be the command station.
I think you will definitely want something that can run AND program on the test track, otherwise you wuld be running back and forth constantly. While being able to power the trains may be the number 1 goal, as soon as you start doing that, you'll want a quick way to program as well.
Randy, I sure can't argue with that (once I start powering trains I'll want to program).
Question....... Will I need a power supply for the Sprog? For that matter, would I need one for a Zephyr?
Thanks!
I'm certainly not an expert on this, but I would be asking if I needed a computer as well as a power supply. It seems to me that those are requirements from one of the Sprog user guides: http://www.sprog.us.com/
SPROG comes with a power supply. You will need a computer.
Zephyr comes with a power supply in the US.
Guess I took the easy way out ....
I extended my buss from the DCC system into my adjacent workshop and attached it to a test track on the bench. My wireless throttle easily runs the test track from the workshop. Even if you didn't have a wireless throttle, you could also run an extension from your throttle buss to your workshop as well.
I couldn't see the point of investing in another system or any kind of add-on just for a test track.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
SPROG comes with a power supply.
At one time, I considered a SPROG. but it was not clear what was provided and what was not. The User Manual says that you need a DC Regulated Power Supply. Is that included with the SPROG II? Also, if you need JMRI, then you need a USB-Serial cable to interface between the computer and the command station. Is that included with the SPROG II?
If you go to the SPROG US site and click on the order button, you will see the product and price list, and in there it says you get the SPROG, power supply, cable, and even a CD with a copy of JMRI on it.
Here is what it reads, Randy:
Our SPROG Complete Package comes complete with all necessary software, power supply, cables, etc. to get you running right away. The included SPROG software CD steps you through the full installation process.
But, it says nothing about whether it mixes drinks. Do you have to do that yourself?
Huh? Well does it?
rrinker If you go to the SPROG US site and click on the order button, you will see the product and price list, and in there it says you get the SPROG, power supply, cable, and even a CD with a copy of JMRI on it. --Randy
Yes, but you still need a computer, correct? Seems like overkill for someone who just wants the loco to run for testing.
JMRI's Decoder Pro and the SPROG are going to require a computer --
Why go to such expense when an NCE PowerCab or (shudder) even an MRC cheap DCC system can do what the OP desires.
To the OP
If your loco decoders are DC compatable, you could simply use a DC power source to meet your needs.
Too many times someone starts a thread, and it goes on and on but the OP never tells us what he decided or whatever outcome became of the subject at hand. Soooo, let me address that and tell you what I did.
The object was to have a DCC source with basic programming capabilities so I could test/maintain locos in my hobby room (as opposed to the room next to it which is filled with a layout). As I have Digitrax, the Zephyr seemed to fit my needs. Last generation used ones were going for $110 up, but Kleins had the best price on the new ones - $169. So, I just bit the bullet and bought me an early Christmas present.
Thanks all for your help and suggestions. They are appreciated, and I always learn something. Someday (when the layout is "done"), I'll get into hooking the DCC into the computer, but I'm just not ready for that now.
ENJOY !!!
Not to hijack this thread, but I purchased a SPROG unit that Randy suggested. Before my purchase, I was using JMRI to get function CV values and then I would manually input them using my NCE powercab. Needless to say it was a slow process for me. With the SPROG I can now let JMRI do all the CV inputting and to boot I can use my phone or computer as a throttle to control the locos and test them out. I suppose I could have purchased the USB device from NCE but then there would be a lot of wires and components on the work bench. The SPROG is small and the only wires coming to/from it are the power cable, usb cord, and track connections making it ideal to leave connected all the time. Setting up SPROG and getting everything to work together was actually pretty easy and straight forward.
To Randy, thank you, even though you didn't suggest the device to me, I'm still thankful for your advice and suggestion for a very neat DCC product.
I'm considering getting one - one of the things the SPROG does is Direct Bit CV reading, if the decoder supports it (most 'modern' ones do) - in this case it simple polls the decoder 8 times per CV, to figure out if each bit is a 1 or a 0. Other systems have to work on the byte level, and so can possibly have to query the decoder 255 times to get the value - because all the system cna do is ask the decoder if the value is 0, decoder says no. Is it 1? No. is it 2? No... etc. This makes doing things like a full sheet read in JMRI MUCH faster with the SPROG.
Plus I'd be able to actually runs the traisn bac and forth on my test track. Guess I need to remove the toggle switch that currently selects between Lokprogramm and PR3 and put in a rotary switch to select between 3 devices.
I also use Sprog, recommend it if thats what you need. You can operate the loco using JMRI
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
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