I just found out about running trains form a computer or smartphone. It sorta got me confused. What kind of control do you all recommend, pc or phone? And what kind of hardware do i need? Or maybe it's just more hassle than its worth...
If you're using an Iphone, it should only be used as a supplemental throttle to your DCC system and primary throttle. All you would need is the right app and radio capability from your DCC system.
A computer interface is an entirely different animal and would require more software and hardware implementation. Either one could cost you $$$, depending on what DCC system you presently have.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
There are a pair of applications, one for iPhone, one for Android type phones that let you use them as a throttle. I use the Engine Driver App for the Android. It works on the basis of communicating via wireless network to a program called Wi Throttle, which is part of the JMRI Decoder Pro suite of software.
So you need a PC interfaced to your DCC system via what ever PC interface is recommended for your DCC system. The PC then has to be running the JMRI Wi Throttle application and connected to a wireless network. The smart-phone also connected to the wireless network runs the appropriate app. This link explains more about it.
http://jmri.org/help/en/package/jmri/jmrit/withrottle/EngineDriverAndroidThrottle.shtml
When you have JMRI installed you can also create PC throttles, so you get both Smart-phone and PC throttles from this same application. I use this with my Digitrax system and it works very well. Similar functionality with NCE, but not MRC as they don't support JMRI.
In 2011 there was talk of a direct wireless link from iPad to Digitrax system, but to my knowledge this has not been released as yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vxh2ex5Iyqc
I am not aware of any Smart-phone apps that will work directly with a DCC systems wireless capability, only via a PC connected to the DCC system.
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
Would it cost more to use JMRI on my pc than to buy the nce power cab? I currently do not have a DCC system so i'm just trying to get setup.
You need a DCC system that support JMRI, this rule out MRC, you need a PC and an interface to link your PC to your DCC system. You also need a wireless router and JMRI and of course an IPhone/IPad or IPod or an Android phone. JMRI is a free download program.
Jack W.
azlogger Would it cost more to use JMRI on my pc than to buy the nce power cab? I currently do not have a DCC system so i'm just trying to get setup.
The PC/JMRI work through the DCC system, so you can't eliminate the DCC system from the equation. Think of the PC as an add on to the DCC system, not as an alternative.
The closest thing to eliminating the DCC system and only using the PC for control, (Short of building your own DCC system) would be the SPROG3 device
http://www.sprog.us.com/
Thanks for the link! I had never heard of sprog but it looks like what i want. The sprog II should be enough to run 3 locos, not?
I don't have one, so no know more about it than you can from the link. Drop the questions to the contact there and see.
SPROG3 with the 3 amp power suply should easily run 6 HO locos if not more. Question is, controlling them all at once. Unless you already have multiple iPhones/iPods/Android devices, all but the one (or two) on the mobile deive wold have to be run from the computer, and while you can fill the screenw ith throttle windows using JMRI, only one is active at a time, you have to click on a given throttle window before it accepts speed and direction commands. Realistically you can have live control of two locos, one on the mobile device and one on the computer screen, until more friends come over with a compatible mobile devices and tie in.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I run "Engine Driver" on my Android tablet. Two throttles open on the screen to run two trains. Control switches as each throttle is made active. Similar to Digitrax DTxxx throttles. Can't say if the same double throttle comes up on droid phones or on DCC systems other then Digitrax.
Martin Myers
The Sprog II can handle 1 amp, so as long as your 3 locomotives don't draw more than that combined you will be fine. Most newer equipment would fit that.
The Sprog 3 is rated at 2.5 amps.
There is also a SBoost which is a 2.5 amp booster addition to the Sprog II.
Peter