Digitrax/JMRI Panel Pro Problems

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently added JMRI’s Panel Pro to my computer and hooked up my Digitrax Zephyer via the MS100 and a COM(? Whatever the MS100 is) to Serial adapter. I hooked it up to Loconet with a 6-wire cord and started the program and the Zepyhyr came up with “-SPL” and wouldn’t do anything until I removed the cord to the computer. I contacted Digitrax and they didn’t have a clue what was going on so I was wondering if someone else had had this problem?

2

You need to be more specific. The “COM(? Whatever the MS100 is) to Serial adapter” and “a 6-wire cord” descriptions don’t tell us much.

  • What kind of port do you have on your computer, serial or USB?
  • If it’s a USB port and the “COM(? Whatever the MS100 is) to Serial adapter” reference is to a USB to serial adapter, did you load the drivers for it?
  • Does your “6-wire cord” meet all the requirements for Loconet use? IE, is it wired correctly? Have you tested it with an LT1?

My first guess would be that “6-wire cord”. The MS100 comes with a proper LocoNet cable. Is there any reason you aren’t using it?

Steve

3

There are very few USB to serial adapters that work properly with the MS100. On the JMRI group on Yahoo you will find a lot of help with this. If your computer does not have a serial port, you would probably be better served with the Locobuffer from RR_CirKits. Even if you DO have a serial port, the Locobuffer is a better device. The MS100 can work, it’s just a lot more picky. --Randy

4

I will agree with Randy - I have a LocoBuffer II attached via the USB port on an old 300 Mhz PC for the railroad. The MS100 should work though. Attach it to the Loconet with the provided Digitrax cable, and configure it to port1 or port2(whichever you have) with the JMRI. If you are using a USB to Serial convertor, you may very well have problem as the bit speeds on various UART’s in the comm stuff can vary. The MS100 was developed in the ‘old’ days and the bit speeds can be faster now. I believe Digitrax is going to replace the MS100 with a MS200 - not sure where that project is at this time.

Jim

5

There have been rumors of a supposed “MS200” device - maybe they will actually make it, maybe not. From their standpoint it might be nice to have an all-Digitrax option, but seeing as how they actively promote the Locobuffer on their site - as well as some of the other Loconet compatible devices like the the ones from CML and Team Digital - they might not bother. Or it might be a very low priority item.

–Randy