Electronics and DCC

Well, that was a fine tutorial. Very timely as well. Between you and Joe Fugate Im being shoved towards the computer based programming.

I give this thread 5 stars.

Fantastic tutorial. David....  thank you for sharing.

Bob/Iron Goat

   Incredible work, thanks very much !  I've never bothered with decoder pro, as our pc is in a different part of the house, and it isn't worth it to me to hook it up to the layout.

  With this help, I get the best of both worlds; use of Decoder Pro, and still don't have to hassle with my pc/layout hookup !

  It's already shown me several cvs in my digitrax decoders that I didn't know about and/or wasn't sure how to use them.

NSCOALDRAG wrote:

Hi All, I use this program but wanted to add that my computer is a new one without any db 9 outputs. I needed a db9 to usb adapter and they are 40 bucks at circuit city or radio shack. I got mine from e-bay for 10 bucks including shipping. Just make sure what you order comes with software. mine did .

You don't necessarily need the software.  Windows XP is usually pretty good at figuring out what USB devices are.  The thing you have to watch out for is that on laptops circa 2003 and newer, the manufacturer lowers the USB port output power from the standard voltage, to something like 0.65v.  This screws with a lot of USB adapter typr things.  I've had the most trouble with cables of about 1 meter on up, though some of the short adapters are still finicky.

Minimum Java Version 6 Update 3 (for Windows)requirements:

Windows 2000 (SP3+) Windows XP Home Windows XP Professional (SP1+) Windows Server 2003 Editions Intel and 100% compatible processors are supported. A Pentium 166MHz or faster processor with at least 64MB of physical RAM is recommended. You will also need a minimum of 98MB of free disk space.

Looks like all you need ais a Pentium I processor, though it won't be running Win 2k all that well.  However, you could just get Linux and install the latest *nix version of java (I would be very surprised of there wasn't a Linux compatible installer for DecoderPro)

David

 I am using Decoder Pro, but I  still have a lot to learn, and a presentation like yours is very welcome. Thank you so much.

Richard Connecticut

BLinny7 wrote:

Hi is anyone using the Digitrax MS-100 with the decoder pro? if so how does it fair in programing loco's

That is what it is built for.......it works just fine.

David B

I found that it was a lot easier to talk someone into giving me an old computer they're about to toss out, purchase the programming track interface. (in my case i purchased locobuffer II since i use digitrax.) Then i took the old computer, hooked it up to the internet using the computer in the house, downloaded JAVA and DECODERPRO, disconnected the computer, (be sure you hook the computer back up in the house so the wife doesn't give you what for when she goes to e-bay,) took it to the train room, connected it to my programing track and now i have decoderpro in the trainroom for ever and ever. Sure beats copying down all those CV values and running to the train room for each locomotive.....chuck

David, thank you for putting this little tutorial together.  I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.  I realize you HAVE to select the decoder type you're working with first of all.  What do you do if you have a ... say... Bachmann Spectrum with a Tsunami decoder installed and it isn't listed in Decoder Pros list of decoders?  Second, I'm going through a Digitrax Zephyr to program the Tsunami, and I've had good luck in the past programing address and some other changes, but I've heard that the Zephyr may not me 'strong' enough to do it.  Have you ever heard this or know it is or isn't a fact?

Thanks,

JaRRell

jacon12 wrote:

David, thank you for putting this little tutorial together.  I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.  I realize you HAVE to select the decoder type you're working with first of all.  What do you do if you have a ... say... Bachmann Spectrum with a Tsunami decoder installed and it isn't listed in Decoder Pros list of decoders?  Second, I'm going through a Digitrax Zephyr to program the Tsunami, and I've had good luck in the past programing address and some other changes, but I've heard that the Zephyr may not me 'strong' enough to do it.  Have you ever heard this or know it is or isn't a fact? Thanks, JaRRell

The Bachmann Sound deocder is either listed with the Tsunami section or the Bachmann section....its there....

I have demoed with the Zephyr system and it worked just fine (in front of 9 people).

David B

I have been using Dcoder Pro on an old Windows 98 PC with a Digitrax MS-100.  It works great.

I am missing something in this thread.  Since you do not connect to a layout, what do you use for Decoder Pro to connect to the decoder you are programming?

JIM

cwclark wrote:

I found that it was a lot easier to talk someone into giving me an old computer they're about to toss out, purchase the programming track interface. (in my case i purchased locobuffer II since i use digitrax.) Then i took the old computer, hooked it up to the internet using the computer in the house, downloaded JAVA and DECODERPRO, disconnected the computer, (be sure you hook the computer back up in the house so the wife doesn't give you what for when she goes to e-bay,) took it to the train room, connected it to my programing track and now i have decoderpro in the trainroom for ever and ever. Sure beats copying down all those CV values and running to the train room for each locomotive.....chuck

I only have one computer and it's in another room so i made up a 35 ft cable to go from one room to the other

Works Fine !

Did I miss something?

Without the connection to the layout, how is the programing passed to the decoder?