PR3 - power supply?

[Stevert]

After you get the PR3's drivers properly installed, then install the included Digitrax Soundloader software.  Start that program with the USB connection on the PR3 plugged in to the computer and with the PS14 powering the PR3. 

It will search for the PR3 without you having to specify anything in the way of preferences, and it will connect if everything's working, or it won't if there's an issue.  Towards the bottom center of Soundloader's home screen is a status box that will tell you whether it's connected or not.

Get that working first, and then pull JMRI into the picture.

Some other random thoughts about the PR3:

• Be sure you install the PR3's drivers EXACTLY as outlined in the Digitrax-supplied instructions.  They have downloadable PDF's for all the supported versions of Windows.  Pick the right one and follow it religiously. If you let Windows install it's own drivers, the PR3 absolutely will NOT work.
• Only one program at a time can access the PR3. So if for example you start Soundloader, and then want to use JMRI, you will need to shut down the Soundloader software first, then start JMRI.  The same holds true for any other software that talks to the PR3.
• Speaking of other software, don't limit yourself to JMRI.  Don't get me wrong, I've been using JMRI for 10+ years and highly recommend it.  But there are other software products out there that you'll be doing yourself a disservice if you don't at least look at it.  For example, there are a number of Digitrax-supplied utilities besides Soundloader, such as DigiMon, DigiIPL, etc.  There is also LocoNet Checker, which is non-Digitrax-supplied software that I use and recommend, especially if you have DS64's.  And you might find that you like RR&Co better than JMRI.  So there's lots of possibilities out there that may (or may not) suit your needs.

[Tophias]

Thanks Stevert.  Assuming I get the PR3 installed correctly, what quick function can I do with it to check if it is installed correctly, before downloading JMRI?  I guess I only think of the PR3's utility in conjunction with JMRI.  Thanks.

[Stevert]

The installs are independent of each other, so you can theoretically do them in either order. 

However, to start JMRI and correctly set your preferences for the PR3, you'll need to have the PR3 installed first so you know which COM port has been assigned to it.

Also, on some hardware/OS combinations, JMRI and Java seem to have a communication issue that shows as a "Java has stopped working..." error.  Since the Soundloader software that comes with the PR3 doesn't use Java, I'd suggest that you install that and get it working with your PR3 first, as a sort of sanity check *before* you try installing JMRI. (You may need to have the PS14 powering your PR3 for that.  I don't recal offhand, because I keep my PR3 powered all the time.)

That way, you can sort out any possible PR3 driver problems first, and know that the PR3 itself is working before you introduce JMRI and the possible Java issues. 

Edit:  Changed some wording for clarity.

[Tophias]

Thanks Jim, as I thought, but just wanted to be sure.  Now a follow-up question: Does it matter whether the PR3 or JMRI is loaded/installed first in order to have the other installed corectly?  It seems like a silly question but sometimes it matters in things like this.  Thanks again.

[jrbernier]

  The PR3 can be set up with two configurations:

• Loconet to computer configuration.  This allows one to use JMRI Decoder Pro or other compliant software to 'talk' to your Super Chief system.  You do not need the PS14 for this configuration.  Your normal program track outputs(and your PTB-100) are used to program you engines.
• Standalone - With this configuration you need the PS14.  This configuration goes from your computer to the PR3 and out to a program track via the output on the PR3.  The Digitrax command station is not needed,

  The 'software' in the disk is the standalone programs and the 'device driver' needed for either configuration.  Read the manuals so you understand how to set up and use each configuration.

Jim

 

[Tophias]

Just got a PR3 Xtra, with the "extra" being the included PS14 power supply.  I intend on installing it to the LocoNet on my Super Chief Xtra system (which includes a PTB-100) due to my programming track configuration.  I know I should be able to fing this answer from Digitrax, but their information is not always the clearest (at least to my diminished mind).  So my question is do I need to use the PS14?  When I plugged the LocoNet cable into the PR3 (without actually installing/configuring software yet) all the LED's came to life.  It would appear it gets power from the LocoNet.  So do I need the PS14?  Thanks all.