I have the Prodigy Advance and very happy the way it works on my HO layout. My son and I usually run two or three trains at the same time. I also have started a garden layout (G Scale) this past year. I purchased a wireless controller and a MRC 8 booster for the outside trains. I have a Bachmann 4-6-0 w/degitrax decoder and a USA S1 w/MRC decoder. They work great. For the money I don't think you could really go wrong. Anyway thats my two cents.
Simisal
dbradley wrote:Hi Snow,The standard cables are about 6' or 7', but I did have one made up that's 12'. It's called computer wire ( I think), it has more internal wires than standard telephone, also the guy at the store tested the original cable for what's called continuity and if I'm not mistaken the connectors on the ends are the reverse of each other, in other words if the locking tab on the connector is up on one end and the cable is laid out flat, the locking tab on the other end would be facing down. I hope I'm not being to confusing, (I think I confused myself though). The extra length hasn't caused any problems since I started using it a year, year and a half ago.Den.
Hi Snow,
The standard cables are about 6' or 7', but I did have one made up that's 12'. It's called computer wire ( I think), it has more internal wires than standard telephone, also the guy at the store tested the original cable for what's called continuity and if I'm not mistaken the connectors on the ends are the reverse of each other, in other words if the locking tab on the connector is up on one end and the cable is laid out flat, the locking tab on the other end would be facing down. I hope I'm not being to confusing, (I think I confused myself though). The extra length hasn't caused any problems since I started using it a year, year and a half ago.
Den.
The connectors and jacks are called RJ-45's, and ready made cables of various lengths can be found at most electronics or home improvement stores. You could also get a crimper tool and make your own using "cat 5e" cable.
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
davidmbedard wrote:You are right, beyond that (and advanced signaling), there is no real need for a computer interface.David B
You are right, beyond that (and advanced signaling), there is no real need for a computer interface.
David B
Ahh, Dave, there's so much more to it than that!
You're completely forgetting about automation of visual and/or sound effects based on train events that happen on the layout.
And no, I'm not talking about the computer running your trains (although you can do that, too, if you really want to).
Imagine having a station announcement play, without any operator intervention, when your crack passenger train is about to leave the station.
It's easy to do with LocoNet (not sure about any other DCC systems), and you don't even need transponding. Block detection and JMRI, and of course a computer interface, are all it takes.
Just set up a detection block on your station track, positioned and sized properly so it doesn't cover much more track than where the loco sits when the train is aligned with the platform.
Then, run a simple script in JMRI to listen for F0 on your passenger loco to be turned off and then back on when that detection block is occupied, and play the announcement when that happens:
Passenger train pulls into station track (block occupied)
Headlight off while in the station (F0 off)
Headlight back on as the train readies to depart (F0 on - Announcement Plays!)
And that's just one possibility. How about a fenced-in industry where the gate across the tracks swings open when the turnout is aligned for that spur?
Your imagination is the only limit.
Steve
I feel I need to add my 2 cents worth!
I started HO way back with a car battery and a reostat. Upgraded to a Lionel transformer and on to many home made controls. My first entry into DCC was a Bachmann bought on E-Bay not because of merits but because of dollars. I soon found the limitations to the Bachmann and bought again on E-Bay "Roco". The Roco units work very well except the yard type knob was prone to go from forward to reverse when I would panic because I had left a turnout in the wrong position. So when I was ready to upgrade again I looked at what I felt was best for me. I did not want to lug a Digitrak all in one control back and forth on my 16 foot switching railroad. I looked at NCE and MRC and opted for MRC solely because of a round knob rather than a thumb wheel. I guess I am hooked on round knobs because of many many years of twisting to get things moving. I guess the point I am trying to make is that everybody has a few quirks as to what they feel comfortable with. Glad we have the options that we have!
Cliff
CEO (careless employer of) Port Doom RR
Ok I made a discovery, the wire they use is the same as ethernet or computer networking cable. So you can buy it just about everywhere, and I know it's the same cause right now this computer is hooked up to the internet using the MRC cab cable lol.
So far so good, it took me a good while to install the decoder (DH163AT) and fit all those dang wires in the loco. My GP-50 shell isn't tall enough to tape the decoder to the top of the motor, so I had to fix it under the radiator fans instead. I got the Rule 17 front and rear lights going on, as well as my rotary beacon. I had an instance where the loco wouldn't respond and after fiddling around with the system settings I discovered that reseting the cab number corrected this. I did a lot of pluging and unpluging of the decoder and the booster station while installing the decoder so that may have caused it.
The MRC PA2 allows you to set the address, start & top voltage, and momentum settings all without dealing with CVs. I used the computer decoder programer to spit out some CV numbers for me to set up the lighting. Also very streight forward, it prompts you for the CV number, then the decimal value and that's it. I almost feel like reading the manual all the way through was a waste of time because it's very intuitive to use.
Now I just gotta get some more decoders for the rest of my fleet and clean the track! (still under construction, plaster dust everywhere)
jfallon wrote: dbradley wrote: Hi Snow,The standard cables are about 6' or 7', but I did have one made up that's 12'. It's called computer wire ( I think), it has more internal wires than standard telephone, also the guy at the store tested the original cable for what's called continuity and if I'm not mistaken the connectors on the ends are the reverse of each other, in other words if the locking tab on the connector is up on one end and the cable is laid out flat, the locking tab on the other end would be facing down. I hope I'm not being to confusing, (I think I confused myself though). The extra length hasn't caused any problems since I started using it a year, year and a half ago.Den. The connectors and jacks are called RJ-45's, and ready made cables of various lengths can be found at most electronics or home improvement stores. You could also get a crimper tool and make your own using "cat 5e" cable.
dbradley wrote: Hi Snow,The standard cables are about 6' or 7', but I did have one made up that's 12'. It's called computer wire ( I think), it has more internal wires than standard telephone, also the guy at the store tested the original cable for what's called continuity and if I'm not mistaken the connectors on the ends are the reverse of each other, in other words if the locking tab on the connector is up on one end and the cable is laid out flat, the locking tab on the other end would be facing down. I hope I'm not being to confusing, (I think I confused myself though). The extra length hasn't caused any problems since I started using it a year, year and a half ago.Den.
Question for those who have a PA system:
How do you remove a loco from a consist? I can't find that in the manual anywhere. It looks to me that to remove a loco from a consist you have to disable the whole consist or program CV19 back to zero on your own.
Did I get this right? Or is there some secret to removing a loco from a consist that I've missed?
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
jfugate wrote: Question for those who have a PA system:How do you remove a loco from a consist? I can't find that in the manual anywhere. It looks to me that to remove a loco from a consist you have to disable the whole consist or program CV19 back to zero on your own.Did I get this right? Or is there some secret to removing a loco from a consist that I've missed?
Joe:
Yes you can only clear the entire consist. However, it is so easy and so fast to create a new consist with the loco in question left out that it's really no big deal. I guess if you were wanting to do this frequently it would be inconvenient but otherwise it's not an important issue.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
Reading with interest...
From these forums and others off this site, I intend to stay away from MRC decoders; but this system looks real nice. The thumb wheel being a "must have" for me.
Tony's reviews are running on three years old and are pre-production testing concerning the PA2 (squared).
The users of the PA system seem happy. The Digitrax fans are fans and part of being a Digitrax fan seems to include having a bumper sticker that reads, "I hate MRC." If that is based on experience, I want to know. If it is based on brand loyalty, I'm not concerned (Ford, Dodge, Chevy-- they are all good trucks and the window stickers slamming the others seems pointless)
So,
Q1: Politics aside, PA2 looks like a very good system. What am I missing?
Second question need preface:
My situation: N-Scale ever growing layout, with intent on growing to room size "dream layout" in segments. Therefore, I cannot imagine the amperage issue affecting me. Modeling golden era, consists are not going to happen, so that is an MRC plus that does not effect my decision. Interchange of cabs is not going to happen-- as much as I desire the social aspects of model railroading, there simply is not any where I live.
Q2: That leads me to wondering about the computer interface. Running TTO as "lone wolf" would a computer interface allow me to set up one or more trains to run on a schedule, say, opposing one which I would be working?
Thanks,
Crews
Don't be hard on the Digitrax guys. The Digitrax system is a very good system or else it wouldn't have the loyal following that it does. Although I do love my PE, I can understand why many folks are a little leary of MRC. The brought out two systems that were not backwards compatable. I'm sure that left a sour taste for many folks.
In my opinion I think it is great that so many folks seem to be loyal to their systems. That tells me that all the manufacturers are making quality products. This has to be a good thing!
davekelly wrote:Don't be hard on the Digitrax guys. The Digitrax system is a very good system or else it wouldn't have the loyal following that it does. Although I do love my PE, I can understand why many folks are a little leary of MRC. The brought out two systems that were not backwards compatable. I'm sure that left a sour taste for many folks. In my opinion I think it is great that so many folks seem to be loyal to their systems. That tells me that all the manufacturers are making quality products. This has to be a good thing!
I didn't intend to be mean-- I am just trying to cut through the murk (that is not limited to this thread, like: "Throw it away and get a real system like Digitrax" which I have read before on a similar thread).
You may have indicated where some of the anti-MRC sentiment has originated. I knew their decoders had (have?) problems, but the abandonment of customers with early DCC system products is a terrible (but sometimes necessary) marketing decision.
Upward compatibility with whatever I choose is important. The computer interface does not seem important to me at present, but I am still thinking in turns of DC throttles. My first PC, for example, had a 20 MB hard drive. I'll never need more than that-- right?