After following this post with great interest I have some questions. 1-Will Decoder Pro work on the Vista software and if so which version of DecoderPro should I download? 2- I have the Digitrax Zepher DCC system and a PowerPax hooked up to my programing track now am I to understand that I can hook the Loco Buffer ll between my computer and the Zepher ? 3- Will I need any other cables or adapters to be able to program decoders?
What I plan on doing is using DecoderPro on my laptop and just taking it to the layout and hooking up to my Zepher and using it and the PowerPax to program on the program track. All advice will be appreciated! Thanks Jim
I'm hoping along with the PR3 you have also ordered a power supply for it. It will not work without one without being connected to a command station. I'm using a Digitrax PS12 that I had laying around to run mine.
I've already downloaded Decoder Pro and installed on my office computer. I am awaiting the arrival of a Digitrax PR-3 and the relocation of my programing test track next to my office computer so I can program long addresses into my DCC equipped N-Scale locomotives and set up the lights on them to work properly. At some point the whole set up will be transferred to my train room and connected to my layout which is still under construction and won't be compete for a while due to financial constraints. At that point I'll do more. But right now I jest need to be able to set things up because my trains run only on the club layout for now.
Irv
i love JMRI Decoder Pro. I will never go back to programming with a throttle ever again. I have used to a computer to program locos from the very beginning. Back in 1997 when we first got our DCC system we also got the PR-1 by Digitrax and it made programming so much easier than trying to figure CV Values. Decoder Pro is so much more advanced than the PR-1 was and it has become a breeze to program any loco.
My friend recently installed a Tsunami Sound decoder in one of his steamers and we were done tweaking it in about 30 minutes. Mind you this included setting it up to run the chuff off of a cam, add momentum and braking, select the correct whistle, adjust the volume, add reverb, etc.
I have the original Digitrax Super Chief, LocoBuffer USB, and a Powerpax unit. I have found this combination will program the most stubborn of locomotives.
It is really nice to be able to simply type in the 4 digit address that you want in Decoder Pro vs having to change cv 17 and 18 and 29 to be able to get a long address on a throttle.
I highly recommend JRMI and am very glad they were able to fight off KAM industries and their illegal patent.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
davidmbedard corsair7 Thanks, Jim. And where do I get the 'Locobuffer USB'? For the moment my computer us not near my layout (the computer is in my office on the second floo of my home ane the layout is in the basement, two flites down). So I expect to locate a programing track next to the computer. How should that be hooked up to the computer? Irv I strongly suggest going to your local 2nd had computer store and picking up the cheapest one you can find. The whole Idea behind decoder pro is the ability to program and then test your units on the layout. I can imagine going up and down 2 flites of stairs wont make this a fun process. Please note that the Locobuffer does NOT give you the ability to test seperately from your Digitrax system, it has to be connected to the Digitrax system. If you want the ability to program and run away from your DCC system, then you will have to consider something like the QSI programmer. It is currently supported by JMRI and allows you to test as well as programme. David B
corsair7 Thanks, Jim. And where do I get the 'Locobuffer USB'? For the moment my computer us not near my layout (the computer is in my office on the second floo of my home ane the layout is in the basement, two flites down). So I expect to locate a programing track next to the computer. How should that be hooked up to the computer? Irv
Thanks, Jim.
And where do I get the 'Locobuffer USB'?
For the moment my computer us not near my layout (the computer is in my office on the second floo of my home ane the layout is in the basement, two flites down). So I expect to locate a programing track next to the computer. How should that be hooked up to the computer?
I strongly suggest going to your local 2nd had computer store and picking up the cheapest one you can find. The whole Idea behind decoder pro is the ability to program and then test your units on the layout. I can imagine going up and down 2 flites of stairs wont make this a fun process.
Please note that the Locobuffer does NOT give you the ability to test seperately from your Digitrax system, it has to be connected to the Digitrax system.
If you want the ability to program and run away from your DCC system, then you will have to consider something like the QSI programmer. It is currently supported by JMRI and allows you to test as well as programme.
David B
Dick has hinted around at that being made an add-on to the Locobuffer-USB for some time now, but I guess he hasn;t gotten around to it, or there isn't much demand to use it as a standalone programmer. The new PR3 from Digitrax does both, buffered PC to Loconet interface and standalone programmer, which makes it pretty much the most universal Loconet interface currently out there. SPROG is a nice programmer, and actually a mini-DCC system, but t does not provide a Loconet interface.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ive used it quite some time and it is very well done.
corsair7Thanks, Jim. And where do I get the 'Locobuffer USB'? For the moment my computer us not near my layout (the computer is in my office on the second floo of my home ane the layout is in the basement, two flites down). So I expect to locate a programing track next to the computer. How should that be hooked up to the computer? Irv
Irv,
The programming track doesn't hook directly to the computer, it will still be connected however you have it set up now (usually through separate programming outputs on your command station). Think of JMRI and your computer as a really, really smart throttle. You still need your DCC system in order for that "smart throttle" to be able to do anything.
That said, if your computer is remotely located, and all you want to do is program decoders, you can use a stand-alone programmer like the Digitrax PR2 or PR3, or the SPROG II. Those devices are designed for that "smart throttle" (computer) type of use, and are supported by JMRI.
Steve
Don't forget when using a usb interface that FREE 28 Function throttle that's included in the software. the best zephyr upgade ever created.
Can't say again how awesome this program is - oh yeah, it's FREE! It wouldbe more than worth it just for making decoder programming easier - but then it also stores that information in a database. AND it does way more than just program the decoders.If you have a Digitrax system, the Slot Monitor is hugely useful. And the ability to build panels with the PanelPro component is great.
I've been using JMRI for about five years now, since about the 1.1.3 release. It's the best thing that's ever happened to DCC, and it keeps on getting even better still. Wouldn't be without it.
Keep in mind, too, that DecoderPro is only part of what JMRI is/can do. It goes far beyond just programming decoders...
Decoder Pro is a 'freeware' program you can download from the JMRI group. Your DCC system will need an 'interface' to attach it to your computer. In the case of the Digitrax DCC command stations, the 'Locobuffer USB' will work. NCE systems either need a serial adapter cable or USB adapter for the command station.
Decoder Pro allows you to 'program' your DCC engines with a graphical interface on your PC and save the decoder values to a computer file. It makes short work of programming an engine. Here are some links for the above mentioned stuff: It also will allow you to view DCC info from your command station and has a built in 'throttle' - It will work on Window, Linux, and Apple systems.
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/apps/DecoderPro/index.shtml
http://www.rr-cirkits.com/locobuffer-usb/LB-usb-flyer.pdf
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Great software and makes programming very easy and visual, and when it comes to speed matching there is nothing better IMHO. Then the fact you can roster all your loco's so if for any reason the decoder losses it's memory you can reset the decoder then program the saved settings back into the decoder.
Even if you don't have an interface to actually have decoder pro program your decoders just being able to see what CV to change to what value will help anyone as well.
Has anyone used this product? How do you like it?