so I converted over to dcc and am still battling decoder issues! With loksound, and tsunami decoders. I went with a super chief system interfaced with computer and jmri. So far so good but not being able to program or find any locos with these decoders is absurd! Having to delve deeper into the pocket book to purchase a booster to program them! Any advice other than scrapping the dcc system would be appreciated! What decoders can be programmed by either jmri or the digitrax system would be helpful
Generally, these systems can program any non-sound decoder.
The sound decoders typiclaly have capacitors, so even at the low levels programming tracks have for power, the need to charge those is either too much of a load or it show a short. That's why the need a booster on the programming track.
You should be able to program them on the main (Operations Mode Programming in JMRI) for most functions with the Super Chief, I'd think. It's typically the address and a few other settings that are only accessible on the programming track. So try that first.
BTW, have you actually had JMRI up and working before? If not, you should just try using the Super Chief to get what you need accomplished. Then you can turn to getting JMRI up and running. JMRI is a wonderfull tool, but not the first thing you want to dive into with DCC. Figure out the DCC part first, then turn to JMRI to help you manage the DCC
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have switched to all Loksound sound decoders, and have not had a problem programming any of them, they don;t seem to have the inrush issue that Tsunamis do. But I also rarely use JMRI. Try limiting how much you read and write at a time - do it sheet by sheet, don;t try to read the whole decoder. The problem with Loksound and JMRI is that to read all the possible options for function mapping (any button can control any sound slot can control any function wire - there are pretty much no restrictions with Loksound which means there are thousands of combinations) it takes a LONG time. and since decoder reading and writing takes place through the loco wheels, it's not completely reliable. Just read the pages that matter, like the address and motor control, and sound levels. Do not write all sheets, just write the one you just edited. You should not need a program track booster with Loksound, it's not the same issue as with Tsunamis. You'd have the same Loksound issues regardless of DCC system or booster. Tsunamis, the booster should fix. If you get the Soundtraxx one.
The best way to work with Loksound is witht he Lokprogrammer - besides the NMRA standard methods, Loksound has a proprietary protocol (most sound decoders do - if you had to load sound files at the same speed as regular CV programming it would take all day) that can read and write all the CVs in a few seconds. Since I am using only Loksound decoders, it was well worth the cost, and a good reason to standardize on one brand of decoders.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Class5 so I converted over to dcc and am still battling decoder issues! With loksound, and tsunami decoders. I went with a super chief system interfaced with computer and jmri. So far so good but not being able to program or find any locos with these decoders is absurd! Having to delve deeper into the pocket book to purchase a booster to program them! Any advice other than scrapping the dcc system would be appreciated! What decoders can be programmed by either jmri or the digitrax system would be helpful
What are you using to interface your computer to Loconet? I use a PR3 as a standalone programmer with a 16volts power supply and can read/write every sound/non sound decoder in existance.
Jack W.
There is that - my PR3 has never had a problem and I just use the PS14 power supply, I didn;t have to up it to a higher voltage one. But I still don't do read all sheets on Loksound or Tsunamis with JMRI.
rrinker There is that - my PR3 has never had a problem and I just use the PS14 power supply, I didn;t have to up it to a higher voltage one. But I still don't do read all sheets on Loksound or Tsunamis with JMRI. --Randy
I have to agree with Randy, I also use the PR3, PS14 and my laptop(JMRI DecoderPro) to program all decoders and haven't found one yet that it won't handle.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
I have a Digitrax Zephyr, and have never had a problem programming any sound decoder. That includes the early Soundtrax, MRC, Tsunami, and Loksound. I use a piece of track connected directly to the program terminals of the Zephyr for full programing power. And a computer may not put out as much power as a DCC power supply.
My Zephyr also programs everything I've tried - at least once I started using a DT400 throttle and not the Zephyr's built in throttle.
Using JMRI has nothing to do with programming track 'power'. It's not weaker or stronger than the system's program track output because it IS the systems program track output. All JMRI does is emulate a throttle.
I'll try just using the pr3 that I have! thx for all the advice
Class5 I'll try just using the pr3 that I have! thx for all the advice
Use it with JMRI and as a stantalone programmer. You need a power supply in this mode.
Sounds good. What brand is the PS3 and ps14?
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin