Does anyone have any insight on how I could set up a computer interface so I can use JMRI Decoder Pro software to program DCC decoders on a programing track? I am currently using Bachmann's EZ Command but that system cannot program CVs. Nor does it have or support computer interfacing. So can I use a seperate interface and a programing track to connect a DCC loco to JMRI? This set up would completely throw the Bachmann system out of the picture.
Thanks
I know of two options: the Sprog II and the Digitrax PR3. The Sprog is a programmer that can also be used as a command station using JMRI throotles (including smart phone throttles). The PR3 can act as a programmer, a Loconet interface to a Digitrax system, or as a sound programmer for Digitrax sound decoders.
I was looking for some cheaper options. Maybe less than $50...
conrail2 I was looking for some cheaper options. Maybe less than $50...
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Well, the PR3 can be had for as little as $70, so not real far from $50. The only thing you might be able to find for less than $50 is the long discontinued PR2. The PR2 uses a serial interface that many modern computers do not have, and can be tricky to get working on a computer with a serial sport and a modern operating system.
Thanks guys for the info. I think I will just take my engine to my buddy's house. He has an NCE Power Cab.
CSX Robert The only thing you might be able to find for less than $50 is the long discontinued PR2.
The only thing you might be able to find for less than $50 is the long discontinued PR2.
Ebay has the PR2 for starting bid at $11.99.
conrail2 Thanks guys for the info. I think I will just take my engine to my buddy's house. He has an NCE Power Cab.
The most practical and easy solution.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Does anybody know if the Digitrax PR2 can be used as a computer interface, or is it just for programing tracks? If it can be used as a cpu interface, I might use JMRI to control my layout instead of Bachmann EZ.
The PR2 is just a decoder programmer that can be used with Digitrax's Soundloader software, and with JMRI. It isn't designed to support actually running trains-- it puts out enough power to program a decoder on a programming track and move a single locomotive back and forth on the programming track to test it, but that's it.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
You need 3 things to get DCC to work
1) A Cab (This controls the train)
2) A Command station (Interprets commands from cabs and turns them into DCC low level signals)
3) A Booster (takes the low level DCC signals from the command station and puts them out as high power to the tracks)
Edit: The line below is incorrect. Thank you Stevert for catching that.With the PR3 it can act as command station, cab (with JMRI), or programmer (with JMRI). But you still need to connect it to a booster.The Zephyr (all in 1) can act a booster + command station + cab, or just cab + booster.A nice little feature of the Zephyr is it's two jump ports which allow you to connect two DC power packs (or varistor throttles) to the back of the Zephyr. This allows you to run 3 trains (2 by analog throttle 1 by the Zephyr) at once without button mashing.
DigitalGriffinWith the PR3 it can act as command station, cab (with JMRI), or programmer (with JMRI). But you still need to connect it to a booster.
That's not correct. The PR3 cannot act as a command station.
It has two modes of operation. One mode is as a LocoNet pass-thru device, which is simply a bridge from the computer to the LocoNet.
The other is a stand-alone programming mode. In this mode it simply issues programming commands, and does not put out enough current to actually run a loco.
I think that for the LocoNet pass-thru mode, the confusion comes from the fact that you can set it to have LocoNet termination on, which allows you to run a stand-alone LocoNet. But the PR3 is still only a pass-thru device in that situation.
And for the stand-alone programming mode, yes, you can "test" Digitrax sound decoders by running them up. But the PR3 does that by setting a special-purpose CV in Digitrax sound decoders (CV128, I believe) which turns off the motor output. Because again, it does not supply enough current to actually run a loco.
Quite right. My appologies for the bad info. I stand corrected: (You can't use it as a stand alone command station, just as a means to read signals from the bus with no command station present.)http://jmri.org/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/StandaloneLocoNet.shtml
fmilhaupt it puts out enough power to program a decoder on a programming track and move a single locomotive back and forth on the programming track to test it, but that's it.
it puts out enough power to program a decoder on a programming track and move a single locomotive back and forth on the programming track to test it, but that's it.
Is there a way to add a booster? or is it not worth it?
I just found the MS100 LocoNet PC interface from Digitrax. any thoughts on that? Is it compatible with Bachmann EZ?
The PR2 is not designed to be used with a booster. It's a CV programming device, so it sends programming commands from the computer to the decoder, not DCC commands.
The MS100 is basically a level-shifter that allows rudimentary communication between a computer and the LocoNet. It's an old device that isn't even supported past Win XP I think, because of the non-standard baud rate it requires.
Either way, no, the Digitrax computer interface components aren't compatible with the EZ Command. I don't think any computer interface exists for the EZ, because it's a very, very basic system that was never designed with those abilities in mind.
However, in your original post you asked about a "separate interface and programming track". As I mentioned before, the Digitrax PR3 can be used as a stand-alone programmer.
It won't connect to your EZ in any way, but it works very well as a stand-alone programmer with JMRI. That's how I use mine and it programs all decoders without any problems, including sound decoders.
More info here: http://jmri.org/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/PR3.shtml
Thanks Stevert. I will probably use the PR2 and a programing track.