My layout is in a seperate location from my house. That makes it inconvenient for me to work on my computer with JMRI and other applications without going to the layout. I know JMRI can operate in a simulator mode but I do not like that way of working with JMRI. I want to create a test track at my house that I can hook to my computer and replicate the functionality I have when I hook my computer to the Digitrax DCS240 on my layout.
One obvious way to do that is to get a second DCS240 and use that for computer hookup. However, I would prefer to avoid that expense. However, I already have an old DCS51 command station that has all the capability I need other than a USB port for computer connection but I can add a PR4 to get the USB connection I need. Not a DCS240 but has what I need to configure stuff and run computer applications at my house. I should be able to run JMRI in real time (not simulator mode) to program decoders and other JMRI applications (other than edit devices that are only on my main layout). Also let me play with LokSound setting on loco.
The only difference I see is that I may need to adjust some preferences on an application to account for the different command station I am hooked to at the time.
This seems like a simple solution to my desire to have a fully functional setup (computer, command station and test track) in my house so I can conveniently work on stuff at my house rather that at my layout.
Am I over simplifing this? Am I missing something?
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
You're not oversimplifying, it's that simple.
Command station, computer, computer interface and piece of track.
You could also just use the PR4 as a standalone programmer and skip using the DCS51.
Peter
I have a setup similar to what you are wanting and it works well for me with my sound and non-sound decoders. It is: Laptop - LocoBuffer USB - DCS 51- piece of track. So far it has done all I wanted although I haven't tried JMRI with any Loksound decoders (I don't have any).
Joe
I've got a test track in my office that I run with a Sprog. Works great for programming decoders and testing locos with DecoderPro.
http://sprog.us.com/
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Great...that is what I wanted to hear. My setup will be computer to PS4 to DCS51 to track. Whenever I am playing with sound setup, I will have an ESU LokProgrammer in the loop. All I need to buy is the PS4.
It really is that simple. For faster programming you might want to consider a PR4, which will connect to your computer via USB and connect directly to the rails to read and write CVs with JMRI, the DCS51 is not needed. But to be able to test run trains, you need to have something like the DCS51 hooked to the rails - the PR4 can ALSO connect to the DCS51 via Loconet, all you need is a DPDT center off toggle to switch the power to the track from the PR4 to the DCS51 (you only want one connected at a time). JMRI can automatically control the PR4 mode, so you can program using either device, or drive trains with the JMRI throttle as well as the throttle on the DCS51. Slightly m,ore effort to wire (adding the DPDT switch) but since you need a USB to Loconet interface device anyway, the combination will give you increased flexibility.
I cirrently have a standalone program track that uses a PR3 and an ESU Lokprogrammer, the DPDT toggle switches between the PR3 and the Lokprogrammer, and I just hook the USB ports to my computer and plug in the power supplies to the PR3 and Lokprogrammer and nothing else is needed to read and write any loco I've ever tried.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
PEDAm I missing something?
Yes. If you ever want to do something like speed matching you will require a track loop.
maxman - already have a seperate loop of track I use for speed matching and breaking in a loco. It is on a 4x4 sheet of foam but I will probably drag it into the house and use it rather than make a new test track.
Randy - That is exactly where I am headed. computer/USB to PR4/DCS51 to DPDT to track and also computer/USB to LokProgrammer to DPDT to track. Will use DPDT to connect appropriate setup to track.
Randy....since you are using a PR3, is there any problem using a PR3 in lieu of a PR4 for my application? Should be able to find a PR3 a bit cheaper than a new PR4.
No, but a PR4 supports a true direct mode that most any newer decoder supports and that will allow it too do full decoder reads MUCH faster than a PR3. You may have seen over the years mention that the SPROG is super fast - the PR4 uses the same type of direct mode and should be just as fast. Not a big deal for basic motor decoders but with sound decoders with lots of CVs to read, it should make a big difference. But a PR3 will work fine. I doubt I will replace mine as all my sound locos use Loksound and I have the Lokprogrammer which can read/write Loksound decoders faster than any NMRA method.
I have both a PR3 and a PR4. Randy is only partially correct, the PR4 isn't MUCH faster, it's MUCH, MUCH faster than a PR3.
The other major difference is that for many sound decoders, you may need to bump up the PR3's power supply to the 16-18VDC range, whereas the PR4 will read that same sound decoder using only the PS14 that comes with it.
Oh, and for that dual setup (alternating between the PR3/4 as a stand-alone programmer vs. a LocoNet pass-thru device): If you have your JMRI preferences set up correctly, it will switch the mode for you. No need to manually push the button(s).
Also, you can leave all the connections in place all the time. The PR3/4 simply ignores whatever connections it doesn't need for the mode it's operating in. Just be sure you use that DPDT center-off switch so you don't backfeed another programming device's output into the PR3/4.
Different experiences - I've had no problem with my PR3 using the included PS14 power supply I've read/written nearly any decoder anyone would bother to use since I used to take my program track setup to club shows to help others - some who had no idea what decoder was in their loco because they only use it during club shows and either don;t have a layout at home or don't use DCC at home. I've not had any problems with any brand motor decoder, and no problems with MRC, Tsunami, or QSI sound decoders, no bump in the voltage or program track booster involved.
I guess I only hinted at that - the JMRI will switch the mode for you. WHen I had it all set up, I actually use a Locobuffer to connect to the layout itself, so I had JMRI configured to use the Locobuffer connection for layout control but programming went to the PR3. Everythign was plugged in all at the same time, USB to the PR3, a USB-serial adapter to the Lokprogrammer, and another to the Locobuffer.
You do want the DPDT - or since it sounds like maybe you want FOUR devices connected to the track - Lokprogrammer, PR3/4 program tack connection, DCS51 track, and DCS51 Program rack, you might want a 2 pole rotary switch. Most of those are shorting, but if you get one with at least 7 positions, you cna connect each device to every OTHER set of contacs - so position one might be Lokprogrammer, position 2 would eb black, position 3 would be PR4 track, position 4 blank, position 5 DCS51 main track, position 6 blank, position 7 DCS51 program track. That way there will be no chance of interconnect between the devices.You CAN get non-shorting rotary switches, they just don't seem to be as common, at least when you get into the 6+ position types.
Me being the gadget freak I am, I created an Arduino sketch that drives relays and has a little 2 line LCD display that lets you pick which input device you want and then connects only the one you select to the track. Once I finish my workbench I will set it all up with a nice bank of screw terminals to connect everything to and put it in a nice little box.
rrinker You do want the DPDT - or since it sounds like maybe you want FOUR devices connected to the track - Lokprogrammer, PR3/4 program tack connection, DCS51 track, and DCS51 Program rack, you might want a 2 pole rotary switch. --Randy
You do want the DPDT - or since it sounds like maybe you want FOUR devices connected to the track - Lokprogrammer, PR3/4 program tack connection, DCS51 track, and DCS51 Program rack, you might want a 2 pole rotary switch.
I considered a rotary switch but that will need to wait for later. I actually will have five connections to deal with. I also use my loop of test track to test and break in DC locos before I convert them to DCC. I have an old Kato 22-014 Power Pack for DC testing. Actually used the DC Power Pack today to test a new Kato GS-1 4-8-4 prior to installing a LokSound Micro V4.0.
Probably build some sort of box or tote to hold the various components then wire in a selector switch. In the meantime, I will just do a lot of pulging and unpluging.