Jim, very clean install. Now I'm inspired!
Tophias,
The PR3 is a great 1st step to DCC programming. I use JMRI Decoder Pro all of the time - Even 'on the road' for DCC Clinics at local NMRA events:
I have set up the PR3 and a UR91 panel in a R/S box to reduce the 'clutter', as seen above.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thank you all for the comments/advise. Looks like in the near future I will invest in the PR3, as I have about 6 sound engines still in boxes to be put into service on my railroad. This ashould make it all much easier to do and to keep track off. Thanks again.
jrbernier Stevert Since the OP has a Digitrax system, I'd suggest a PR3 instead, with a 16VDC to 18VDC power supply. That way he can interface his computer to his DCC system, AND program sound decoders (of any brand) without issue, AND (by using JMRI) keep a record of the CV settings for every decoder... Be careful here. The PR3 is not a 'programming booster'.
Stevert Since the OP has a Digitrax system, I'd suggest a PR3 instead, with a 16VDC to 18VDC power supply. That way he can interface his computer to his DCC system, AND program sound decoders (of any brand) without issue, AND (by using JMRI) keep a record of the CV settings for every decoder...
Since the OP has a Digitrax system, I'd suggest a PR3 instead, with a 16VDC to 18VDC power supply.
That way he can interface his computer to his DCC system, AND program sound decoders (of any brand) without issue, AND (by using JMRI) keep a record of the CV settings for every decoder...
Be careful here. The PR3 is not a 'programming booster'.
I'm aware of that. But when used as a stand-alone programmer with a sufficiently robust power supply, my experience is that it will reliably read and write to virtually any sound decoder that a programming booster can read or write to.
I'm also aware that it has two modes, and that although it can function in only one of those modes at any given time, it can in fact be attached to both the LocoNet (MS100 mode) and to an isolated programming track (PR3 mode) at the same time. It can also remain powered at all times. All you need to do is switch it into the mode you want to use, or let JMRI switch it which is what I do.
And the reason I know that is because that's how I have had my PR3 set up since I bought it several years ago: It remains connected to the LocoNet at all times, and it remains powered at all times by an 18VDC, 1.1 amp power brick salvaged from an old inkjet printer.
I use it to read and write to QSI, Soundtraxx LC and Tsunami, BLI, and of course Digitrax sound decoders, and it does so reliably. I haven't had an opportunity yet to try LokSound yet, but I have no doubt it will read and write reliably to those decoders as well. I've yet to hear of any anecdotal evidence that it can't.
And oh yes, it can download different sound schemes to Digitrax sound decoders.
jrbernier The OP had a problem getting the engine address set in an engine with a QSI sound decoder. I have also seen issues with SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders as well. I have a MRC sound decoder that will not program using a Super Chief system with a PowerPax booster. I had to hand program it on the Main. Digitrax and ESU LokSound decoders have never given me trouble. Jim
I'm also aware of what the OP stated was his programming issue, and that's why I suggested the PR3 with a suitable power supply in the 16VDC to 18VDC range (Max per Digitrax is 20VDC).
It gives him the ability to program those sound decoders (we can disregard your MRC as they are known to have issues that are well-documented in this forum) AND the ability to interface his computer with his Digitrax DCC system.
That's something no programming track booster can do.
Tophias Stevert jrbernier If you are going to be programming a lot of sound decoders, I would suggest getting a SoundTraxx PTB-100 Programming Booster. Since the OP has a Digitrax system, I'd suggest a PR3 instead, with a 16VDC to 18VDC power supply. That way he can interface his computer to his DCC system, AND program sound decoders (of any brand) without issue, AND (by using JMRI) keep a record of the CV settings for every decoder... Thanks for the input (no pun). If I go with the JMRI would that negate the need of the programming booster, or is it just eaier to work with? Thanks.
Stevert jrbernier If you are going to be programming a lot of sound decoders, I would suggest getting a SoundTraxx PTB-100 Programming Booster. Since the OP has a Digitrax system, I'd suggest a PR3 instead, with a 16VDC to 18VDC power supply. That way he can interface his computer to his DCC system, AND program sound decoders (of any brand) without issue, AND (by using JMRI) keep a record of the CV settings for every decoder...
jrbernier If you are going to be programming a lot of sound decoders, I would suggest getting a SoundTraxx PTB-100 Programming Booster.
Thanks for the input (no pun). If I go with the JMRI would that negate the need of the programming booster, or is it just eaier to work with? Thanks.
No, JMRI doesn't negate the need for equipment capable of programming the decoders in question. Think of it as a really smart throttle with plain-language menus and a great memory with fantastic recall of all the little details.
The PR3, however, when used with a sufficiently robust power supply, will negate the need for a programming track booster AND act as the interface between your Digitrax DCC system and your computer running JMRI. It's really two devices in one, although only one of those functions can be used at any given time. But switching between those two functions takes nothing more than a button push, or a mouse click with JMRI.
Be careful here. The PR3 is not a 'programming booster'. When attached to the Digitrax LocoNet, it provides an 'interface' to a home computer. The program outputs are not used and you do not even need to have an external 'wall wart' power supply attached. It does provide the interface to allow one to program from their home computer via JMRI Decoder Pro. The Decoder Pro program sends info to the Digitrax system via the PR3 and the actual program commands are sent out to the track by the system. It is a very convenient way to program engines and keep a permanent record of what you have done. As long as you have enough current to the programming track, you can program any/all CV's on a decoder whether it is sound capable or not.
When the PR3 is configured on 'Stand-Alone' mode, it is NOT attached to the Digitrax system. You can program engines from your PC directly to an engine that is on the PR3's own program track. You will need an external power supply for this mode. The usual Digitrax PS14 is sometimes replaced by a larger 16-18 volt power supply and this does increase the reliability when programming. To be honest, I set up the stand-alone mode one time, tested it and them reconfigured my PR3 for LocoNet as I have a Digitrax system unit to work with. Whether even using the larger power supply will reliably program all sound decoders is still a question to be answered.
Digitrax also has a program called 'Sound Loader' that allows one to download Digitrax 'sound projects' into Digitrax sound decoders. I have used this to download customized SD40-2 sound projects into my Kato SD40-2's that have Digitrax sound decoders. Be aware that you cannot down load sound files into other companies sound decoders. ESU LokSound and QSI have their own hardware/software for their sound decoders. The PS14 power supply works fine here.
With a PTB-100 programming booster, one has enough power to reliably program most any decoder on the program track. As I have mentioned, I have programmed some sound decoders 'on the main' using individual CV17/CV18/CV29. The issue here is that some decoders need to have CV17 set 1st, then CV18. Others need to have CV29 changed 1st so that the decoder is in two byte mode, before it will even allow you to write to CV17 or CV18. This is why having a programming booster and using Decoder Pro makes programming these decoders much easier. I do not have a programming booster, but my Digitrax Zephyr Xtra can be set to 'Blast Mode' so that 'programming track only' commands are sent out on the full power 'Main' as well.
The OP had a problem getting the engine address set in an engine with a QSI sound decoder. I have also seen issues with SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders as well. I have a MRC sound decoder that will not program using a Super Chief system with a PowerPax booster. I had to hand program it on the Main. Digitrax and ESU LokSound decoders have never given me trouble.
JMRI just makes thing easier. All it really does is operate like a throttle. It just gives you nice check boxes and dropdown lists to select decoder options, instead of trying to kow all the CVs and possible values. If the decoder won;t program from the throttle without a booster, it won;t program from JMRI without a booster.
--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 and my club have digitrax systems. A lot of the time I have to work through all four of the programming modes to change the address. There are times that the address will begin to change and the loco will no longer respond to 03 and requires continued attempts to complete the readdress. It happens even with Digitrax decoders. Programming on my Empire builder is easy, but at the club, programming on the Super Chief with the prograzmming track is difficult so I use the clubs Empire Builder to program on the main.
Programming a QSI decoder equipped engine can be a 'challenge' with any DCC system. The programming track current is very weak(so you do not blow a decoder if you wired it wrong). The QSI sound decoders draw a lot of current(in-rush) to charge those capacitors. This is why there are failures to read/write to the decoders. I think you 'lucked out' and finally got the decoder programmed!
Digitrax has 4 programming modes:
Pg - Paged Mode(sort of the default). Use this for Service Mode on the Programming Track.
Ph - Register Mode
Pd - Direct Mode
Po - Ops Mode Works when 'Programming on the Main' after the address has been programmed.
Ph & Pd sometimes have to be used depending on the decoder. You need to read the manuals of the manufacturer of the decoder. The Digitrax manuals will not have that information. If you are going to be programming a lot of sound decoders, I would suggest getting a SoundTraxx PTB-100 Programming Booster. This is cut in between the DCC system and the programming track, and boosts the signals.
I have an Athearn Genesis MP15AC with factory installed MRC sound. I could not get the address programmed, even with a 'Power-Pax' DCC booster at the club. I wound up calculating the CV17/18 values for my address, and programmed them 'on the main' and set CV29 to '38' so it would take a 2 byte address. A friend bought the PTB-100 and has been able to program anything since he started using it.
Myself, I use JMRI Decoder Pro with my home PC to do the programming(much easier than pressing all of those buttons on a throttle). I have a Digitrax DCS51 Zephyr Xtra in the 'Man Cave' and it is set to 'Blast Mode' so I can send programming track commands to the main track as well. This way I have full power to the main track and can program anything - I just have to make sure I do not have another engine on the main track(it will bet programmed to the same address with 'Blast Mode').
I went to enter my first engine address in my new (first time DCC user) Digitrax Super Chief and it failed. The engine is a Proto2K with QSI. I got a message "noack". So I toggled thru programming mode at it eventually accepted it in one of the 3 other programming modes. My question-is there somewhere to look up in advance what mode accepts what manufacturers codes? An industry source? A Digitrax source? Thanks all.