I have an old empire builder II system (BD150 Command Station and DT300 Throttle). System still works but the speaker in the throttle no longer works. This is a minor thing but my OCD bothers me about it. So...
I was thinking about getting a new DT 500 throttle however for less than that I could get a PR4 to use with an old laptop I have on hand to run JRMI, and a LNWI to intereface with my Android phone running train driver APP (and possibly 2 other older android phones I have laying around unused.)
My question is would there be anything I wouldn't be able to do with the DT300 and Android phones using train driver or equivalent?
Is there a down side to going this route?
Thanks for any additional help.
DRGWGJCO My question is would there be anything I wouldn't be able to do with the DT300 and Android phones using train driver or equivalent?
No. The combination of a computer running JMRI, the PR4, and a phone with Engine Driver can do everything you can do with the DT300, and then some.
DRGWGJCO Is there a down side to going this route?
I had considered the feel issue but I think I can live with that.
I appreciate the info. I thought it would cover all the bases but wanted a second opinion. Also I would still have the DT300 and plan on putting in the panels around the layout for plug in anway. So it should all be good.
Thanks again
If you get a PR4 and use JMRI, you do not ALSO need a LNWI. At least, if you already have a wifi router in your house.
The 'speaker' in the DT300 is just a piezo beeper. Probbaly one of the wires came loose, easy enough to fix. That beeping when turning the knobs is the first thing I shut off on the newer throttles, and on the old DT100 I got. Annoying as all get out. If you've been using a DT300 all this time - the current DT500 would be like a miracle device. Access to F0-F12 without so much as touching a shift key! Directly entering numbers for loco address selection and CV values! But, a PR4 and JMRI will also do programming. If touch screen operation is fine with you, this will be a good solution, cheaper than a new throttle, wireless with no extras to buy, and you can get cheap phones if you need extra throttles - they do not need phone plans to be used as throttles, so old, inactive phones as well as a new one from one of the pay as you go phone providers (and never buying minutes) will all work.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker If you get a PR4 and use JMRI, you do not ALSO need a LNWI. At least, if you already have a wifi router in your house.
I do have a router at the house but the signal where the train room will be is not good. Also I would prefer not to have to give access to our home network to anyone that comes over. A open wifi for just the railroad is ideal. Maybe a low cost router just for the train room might work too.
DRGWGJCOAlso I would prefer not to have to give access to our home network to anyone that comes over
Some routers allow you to set up a "guest network"
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
If the computer you use for JMRI has a wifi interface, it is possible to use it in access point mode for the phones to connect.
rrinker If the computer you use for JMRI has a wifi interface, it is possible to use it in access point mode for the phones to connect. --Randy
You know that is a good point. I think it does will have to mess with it and see.
I have downloaded and installed JRMI from Github. I just have one question. While I was testing it with phones I noticed it has an option to use the PR3 but does not have the option for the PR4. I plan to order a PR4 will it show up as a connection option once I load the drivers?
I ran into the same thing when I purchased my PR4. As far as JMRI is concerned, the PR3 and PR4 are one and the same. Just choose PR3 and move right along.
The 4.15.4 JMRI test version released March 12th has explicit selections for the PR4 (and the DCS240 and DCS210) so you no longer have to use the PR3 selection for those devices:
http://jmri.org/releasenotes/jmri4.15.4.shtml
And if you're concerned about using test releases of JMRI, don't be. I've been doing that for 16+ years without issue.
EDIT: Corrected typo.
Johnnypopper I ran into the same thing when I purchased my PR4. As far as JMRI is concerned, the PR3 and PR4 are one and the same. Just choose PR3 and move right along.
That's what I thought.
StevertAnd if you're concerned about using test releases of JMRI, don't be. I've been doing that for 16+ years without issue.
That is good to know. Will update it.