I installed Java then the jmri program. It is configured for a Digitrax 50 and the connection to the computer is a Locobuffer USB which is plugged into the Loconet B port. I have a PowerPax booster between the Locobuffer and my program track. When I try to identify a locomotive I get a timeout message 308 no matter what mode of programing I go to use. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Jim
Hopefully you mean the PowerPax is between the Zephyr and your program track.
Did you installt he Locobuffer driver? The Locobuffer instructiions have some sanity check information that will verify if JMRI is at least talking to the Locobuffer. Once you get that far, the next thing to try is to use the track power on/off utility in JMRI and see if it can actually tuen the track power ona dn off. If not, you have a communications problem. Once that's working, then you cna try to program a decoder.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Sorry about that misinformation. The Locobuffer USB is between the computer and the Digitrax 50 Loconet B port then the powerpax is between the Digitrax 50 and the program track. All the preferences are set and it shows as port 3. I can turn the dcc power on and off from the screen. Thanks for responding.
Jim
Try it without the PowerPax. You only need that (and that's questionable) with certain sound decoders, and while it seems to work with QSI it often has trouble with Tsunami. If you cna turn track power on and off from JMRI, then you have communications. The failure means the Zephyr isn't seeing the program track. Wire it right to the program track, skip the Powerpax. My Zephyr has no problems reading my one QSI loco and it worked fine with my one Tsunami until I traded it for a better Loksound. Loksounds have never given me any read troubles.
If you can power on/off the DCS50 from your computer, you have a working connection. Remove the PowerPax and just wire the program track to the the DCS100 directly. Make sure you select the 'service mode' button(programming Track), and try it(and make sure your programming track is clean).
BTW, you can set CV7 to 'closed' in the command station so that program track commands are sent to the Main Track - This is full power and eliminates the need for tha PowerPax or PTB-100 programming booster. Just make sure of the following:
Remove ALL locomotives from the layout or they will be 'programmed'!
Change CV7 back to 'thrown' when done!
We have a PowerPax at the club, and it just causes problems. When I get complaints that someone cannot program an engine, I check to see if the red LED on the PowerPax is blinking - Power of/on the unit resolved that. If that is not the problem, they have an old QSI decoder or a Tsunami decoder......A trip home to my house and 'Blast Mode' program it on the trusty Zephyr...
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I removed the PowerPax and went directly to the program track and lo and behold it worked! I put four locomotives in the roster and programed my Broadway Limited SW-7 and everything seems to be working okay now. I guess time will tell if I will have anymore trouble programing without the PowerPax. Thank you all for all your help it was very much appreciated!