Just wanted to double check to make sure Decoder Pro will work with TCS, Digitrax and some MRC sound decoders I have if used with a Digitrax PR3EXTRA in MS1000 mode. Thanks much in advance.
I believe the MS1000 mode is used to run your layout. If you plan on using it to program decoders, you need it in the programming mode. Also sound decoders need more than the 14V power supply that comes with the PR3 Extra. I use an 18V power supply on mine. Yes JMRI works with those brand of decoders. Make sure you have the latest version of JMRI. Joe
Scott,
JMRI/Decoder Pro via the PR3(MS100 mode) goes to your program track via your Digitrax command station. Just about all current mobile decoders are supported in the current version of Decoder Pro. What decoders are you interested in?
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
PR3 will work in MS100 mode. You will be doing all of your programming on your Digitrac command station's programming track or on the main. Your choice. In MS100 mode, PR3 acts as an interface between the computer and the command station. Decoder Pro and the whole JMRI suite will work in MS100 mode.
In PR3 mode, the PR3 will work as a stand alone programmer. DecoderPro will be the program to use in this mode. No connection to the command station is needed in this mode.
Yes Decoder Pro will wok with all of the decoders you listed and many, many more.
Martin Myers
[quote user="scott018"]
Website: http://bobfrey.auclair.com
If you can program them with your system, then you can program them with the PR3 and JMRI. Using MS100 mode to interface to your system, all JMRI really is doing is acting like a throttle and sending commands.
--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 was going to use it in the stand alone mode. That is not going to the command station. However I keep reading the 14 volt system that the PR3exta has will not work on some sound decoders. i have some MRC N scale sound decoder that are the question. Thanks again
Standalone mode, mine works fine, even with Tsunami and QSI decoders. Using the standard PS14 power supply. Why, or how, when others seem to have problem, I can't explain. Could be that there is only about 3 inches of #18 wire between the track terminals of the PR3 and the track, and I soldered it to the rails. My program track is 3 Atlas Code 83 rerailers plus about half a piece of regualr straight at either end, all joints fully soldered.
My PR3 was pretty good at reading sound decoders, but not quite 100%, when I used a 14v power supply. But since I changed to an 18VDC regulated power brick salvaged from an old inkjet printer, I've had zero problems reading QSI V6 and V7, Soundtraxx Tsunami and LC, BLI Blue Line, and of course Digitrax sound decoders.
But I don't have any MRC decoders (sound or otherwise), and have heard that some of them can be hard to read, or don't even support readback, so I guess YMMV with those.
MRC decoders are a crap shoot. I've been able to read them in JMRI with my PR3 - however, it fails 100% if trying to do a "Read Sheet" or "Read All Sheets". Only way I;ve been able to get them to work is pick something I want to know the value of, say the address fields, and read just that. Then pick somethign else, read that.