I have a NCE system with two Pro Cabs and a Cab6R. I have reviewed the model railroader video on using a PC with DecoderPro.
They suggest using the SprogIIv3 interface. These complete interfaces with USB cable, regulagted power supply and DecoderPro CD can be purchased for around $100.
My question is there any other comparable product on the market. It seems NCE has a product but I have not found any reviews on it.
My goal is to be able to program decoders with a PC.
Thanks
Just program? The SPROG is one of the fastest programmers, for reads and writes, on the market. And it generally works with all decoders with no booster devices. However, it cannot control trains through the NCE system, it is strictly a standalone device - hook it to your computer, a power supply, and a piece of track that is not part of your layout.
If you have 2 ProCabs then I am guessin you have a PowerPro system. You can hook this to your computer using a USB to serial adapter cable, at which point you will be able to both program traisn with DecoderPro AND control trains - using on-screen throttles or WiThrottle with just about any smartphone. Programming this was is exactly the same as using a ProCab to program, except you have JMRI's nice screens and menus. JMRI acts like a ProCab in this setup, so it can;t do anything you couldn;t also do with the throttle.
Third option is the NCE USB interface, but this is really intended for use witht he PowerCab, and there are some limitations when using it with the PowerPro.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
My 5a Power Pro system (circa 2012) needs a serial connection from my laptop, but the laptop has only USB connections. The following thread (you may have to paste it into your browser) is about the 2 cables I needed; i.e., a USB to serial converter cable and a serial cable extension. I believe I recall other sources said some would work and some not, so I ordered something I knew others had used successfully.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/205717.aspx
You may also want to look this over from JMRI about NCE:
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/nce/NCE.shtml
There's also info on the NCE site and Tony's Trains.
I think I just downloaded free JMRI Decoder Pro, just needed to get the gizmos so the PC and NCE station could communicate.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
So with connecting directly to the PowerPro command station via serial to USB will I program on the main or should I use a seperate piece of track?
I use the ProCab and enter into the program mode for Ops mode.
Lastly, it sounds like I can do what I want without the SprogII device, correct?
Either or - the PowerPro can do ops mode on the main and it has a program track output. You specify in JMRI which you want to do each time you open the programming utilities.
Yes, you can do programming and readback (on the program track) without the SPROG, just the USB to serial cable (unless you have an older PC that actually has a serial port on it, then you just need a serial cable)
I successfully connected using a USB to serial cable I have from my work. I managed to identify on a programming track one loco which I added to the roster. DecoderPro identified the Broadway limited Paragon 2 decoder.
After that I was not able to identify another for some reason. The bottom banner when launching DecoderPro shows service mode and Operations mode on line for about 5 seconds and then goes to offline as show below.
Not sure what the issue is and it seems to be affecting my ability to talk to the decoder on the programming track.
As a side note when I execute new loco and attempt to detect docoder all my locos on the layout go silient and the loco on the programming track attempts to coummincate but nothing.
Any thoughts?
mclevelandAs a side note when I execute new loco and attempt to detect docoder all my locos on the layout go silient and the loco on the programming track attempts to coummincate but nothing.
The fact that all the other locos go silent is normal, because the command station will only provide power to the programming track when you use the service mode.
The PowerPro system will not be able to read some sound decoders because it is low power.
When you use JMRI with the PowerPro system it basically does exactly the same thing that the ProCab does. I'd suggest that you try to program something using the ProCab on the program track. If the ProCab won't do it, neither will JMRI.
Your reference to not reading sound decoders because it is low power. Are you referring to the PowerPro providing power to the programming track?
If I were using a SPROG is that same issue possible?
I also noted when I saved a parameter change to the only loco I communicated with other engines begin to move and I had to perform emergency shut down.
If that is a potential anytime I am connected via PowerPro that will be an undesireable condition.
mclevelandYour reference to not reading sound decoders because it is low power. Are you referring to the PowerPro providing power to the programming track?
Yes. The original idea was, prior to the proliferation of sound decoders, that the low power would prevent one from burning up newly installed decoders if something was miswired.
mclevelandIf I were using a SPROG is that same issue possible?
I don't know anything about the SPROG. I don't know how much they cost, but if it were me I'd look into the purchase of a PowerCab. You can use this to set up a separate programming track (a better idea anyway), and then you can still use the PowerCab on your main railroad as an additional cab. From what I understand the PowerCab will program just about anything that comes along, decoder wise. Others can comment on this.
mclevelandI also noted when I saved a parameter change to the only loco I communicated with other engines begin to move and I had to perform emergency shut down.
If this happened while you were using the programming track, then it is likely that the one of the trucks on the loco being programmed was spanning the gap between the programming track and the main part of the railroad.
Please note again that JMRI does nothing more than emulate your ProCab when in use for programming. The basic difference is that the ProCab only allows changing one CV at a time, while JMRI allows multiple CV changes.