Can anyone tell me the best way to connect a ptb100 to my pr3 and do I need to do this in order to program and read back the soundtraxx decoders? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
I'm not too familiar with Digitrax, but I believe that the ptb100 connects to your command station (zephyr, DB150, or DCS100) and your pr3 also connects to your command station via the loconet for computer programming. As for whether you need it for soundtraxx decoders, it depends on your command station. For example my NCE power cab can read soundtraxx decoders out of the box, but my power-pro system cannot without a program track booster (I don't use a ptb100, I use and equivalent product from another manufacturer). Once again the Digtrax guys will be able to help you out more than I can.
Good luck,
Jamie
Cape Vincent Southern Railroad
HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’
My YouTube
You do not need any kind of programming track booster with the PR3, especially when used as a standalone programmer. I read and write regularly Soundtraxx including Tsunami, Locksound, QSI, MRC those with the read feature and any sound decoders produced by BLI. Only Digitrax I did not programmed yet as we don't used them at my club.
Jack W.
I agree, I use a PR3 all the time in stand alone programming and have not had the slightest problem programming or reading back any sound decoder. IMO you simply won't need a program booster.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
My PR3 reads and writes everything I've thrown at it so far, including Tsunami, QSI, Loksound, and Paragon II, even one of thoese "unreadable" MRCs althought hat took a little fussing. Standard PS14 power supply, no extra voltage one.
Now for MS100 mode using the command station's program track, my Zephyr also works fine with every soudn decoder I've thrown at it, but the DCS100 may have issues without a booster. The DB150 can't read back and uses full power to the "program track" when in program mode and can program anything with no booster ever needed.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.