Does anyone know if there is a freeware program on the web that will let me point and click to find the decoder programing features I want and then tells me what CV values to enter? I am having difficulty programing lighting features on my Digitrax FX3, but I have no computer interface to allow for normal programing freeware.
Yep it’s called Decoder Pro you can find it here
http://jmri.org/help/en/html/apps/DecoderPro/index.shtml
Here’s a link to the users group
Yes, http://jmri.org/help/en/html/apps/DecoderPro/index.shtml is programing software, but it reguires a COMPUTER INTERFACE. Is there a program that will tell me the values to enter myself?
Not that i’m aware of
you can get a Loco buffer USB for about $69
here
Just taking a shot in the dark here, but I take it that the FX3 you’re talking about is a Digitrax DH165xx decoder. If this is the case, maybe you could identify exactly which DH165 it is, and what the desired lighting features are. Probably someone on the forum has that decoder, or similar, and can tell you what the CV values you need are.
You can run decode pro in the JMRIDemo mode. That doesn’t require a connection to a DDC system, and will let you keep track of your roster, change decoder settings, and view CVs.
You do not have to have a computer interface to use Decoder Pro. You can enter your decoder type manually and set the values you want and finally read the CVs from the screen. You then can program these CVs into your decoder via your DCC system. As a bonus Decoder Pro will keep track of the CV values you entered. David Bedard had an excellent tutorial on this some time ago. Perhaps he could reprise it for you and others. Decoder Pro is very user friendly and I am sure that if you use it you will be sold.
Joe
It is possible to use Decoder Pro without a computer interface. David Bedard did post a tutorial to that effect a while ago. Basically all there is to do, is set “Loconet Simulator” as the DCC system in the preference window. This is what I do with one of my home computer
Check out Demo’s #4 and #5 on the bottom of this page. It will walk you through two different ways of working with JMRI when not connected to a DCC system.
You guys are all missing the point. What he is looking for is something that tells him what the value is, or how to determine the value . I don’t think that DecoderPro does that.
If you go to the CV tab in the roster entry, it will show you each of the CV’s values, and highlight those that have been changed. The highlighted values don’t help much the first time through, but they do when you want to edit an entry later.
Nope you are wrong, Decoder Pro tells what the value is.
Okay, maybe I’m wrong, and maybe I’m not. But if he only needs to know what one CV value is for a lighting effect, would it be not easier for him to say he has decoder DHwhatever, and he wants the headlight to come on going forward, the brake light to flash when he puts the engine in reverse, and the ditch lights to light up in tune with stars and stripes forever, can somebody tell me the CV value?
For the OP. Give my tutorial a read and follow the steps. It will help you with your programming.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/103914/1207458.aspx#1207458
David B
Thanks for re-posting this. To the OP, I just tried the referenced tutorial, and it does indeed seem to give you the information you’ll need.
Thanks Everyone for the help, especially David. I am now using the jmri software and have saved $69 dollers for my next locomotive.