I have some of the basics but I am stumped on one item.
I have a Zephyr. The decoder pro (seems) to say to connect the computer to the programming track (through the USB adapter of course).
Does the Zephyr connect to the programming track with its programm track output or the rail output?
Can I connect it to the main track and not use the program track?[%-)]
Bruce,
You want to use the programming track. The Loconet cable runs from the Zephyr to the ‘Locobuffer’. A USB cable runs from the Locobuffer to your PC. You can use the Digitrax MS100 or MS200 rather than a Locobuffer, but the Locobuffer is better(no dropped packets) and costs less. Once hooked up, you start Decoder Pro and select the Digitrax option - and away you go! Just make sure the ‘program track’ output is not mixed up with the ‘main track’…
Jim Bernier
Bruce,
I’m not familiar with Digitrax, but I think you need to connect thru a Locobuffer. Here’s the link to the JMRI doc for connecting Decoder pro to Digitrax http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/Digitrax.shtml
Depends on whether you choose programming track or the main.
Zephyr is conected to the programming track through its ProgA and ProgB terminals. Connected to the main through its TrackA and TrackB terminals. Decoderpro will program either way depending on your choice of programming.
Yes, it’s your choice.
Bruce,
Think of DecoderPro and the computer as nothing more than a really smart throttle that talks to the Command Station (the Zephyr in your case).
Just as you would not connect a throttle directly to either your main or your programming track, the computer does not connect directly to the track either. Instead, it “talks” to the Command Station through the LocoNet. (Again, we’re strictly talking about your Zephyr. Other brands have different connection types that we don’t need to be concerned about here.)
In other words, the connections from your Zephyr to your main and programming tracks do not change. You’re just adding a connection (using the proper devices) from the computer to the LocoNet.
The exception would be if your “USB adapter” is a PR2 or a PR3, since those have dedicated programming track outputs. What USB adapter do you have or plan to use?
Steve
Thanks guys.[bow] That makes it clearer but I am still vague about which track to use, the program or the main. If I have a loco on the main, that will work. If I have the loco on the program, that will also work. If I have two locos, one on each track, what happens then?
My interface is a locobuffer USB.
Bruce,
If you engine is on the programming track(like when it is new and set to address ‘3’) you are programming an address in the engine. Once you have an address, you can program most other CV’s via either track - you select the engine address and go from there. Remember, for the most part you set the address on the programming track(unless you are ‘blast mode’ programming and change CV’s on every engine on the layout!).
Play with it and it will all become very easy after a while…
Jim
To read back CVs, you need to be on the programming track. You can program on the main or on the programming track. You do need to have a roster entry in place to program on the main, as in main track programming you are just talking to the one decoder.
Some of the BLI Bluelines need to be programmed on the main, to set the address.
If you want to program a loco on the programming track select:
“Service Mode (Programming Track) Programmer”
If you want to program a loco that’s on the main line select:
“Operations Mode (Main Track) Programmer”
Each of these buttons are located in the JMRI window below the JMRI Logo.
You can do only one type of programming at a time.
I keep a short peice of straight track next to the computer. Sometimes I transport the DCS 200 to the computer desk, hook into the engine and program it via JMRI.
For me the secret is ensuring that the JMRI is configured to talk to the DCS 200’s loconet.
I plan to get a laptop, a real cheap one and install JMRI on that, easier to transport to Layout and program engines there. Or anywhere.
Easy does it, little at a time. You will increase your understanding over time. Then you will try new things and it will be actually FUN!
Learning something new is always very stressful.
Hang in there.
(I rearranged your reply a little)
Okay, very good. That means that your computer with JMRI will more or less be acting like a very smart throttle plugged into the loconet. It doesn’t change how your Zephyr works, it just makes it easier for you to work with it, and also provides some additional “stuff” outside the Zephyr, such as the ability to store a loco’s CV settings on the computer.
You would continue to use whichever track you’d use without DecoderPro.
For a programming task you’d normally perform on the programming track (let’s say setting the address of a non-sound loco), you’d select “Service (programming track) Mode”.
For a programming task you’d normally perform on the main, you’d select “OPS (main track) Mode”. However, keep in mind that DecoderPro requires you to have a roster entry for a loco before it will let you use this mode.
Peter Ulvestad was kind enough to put together and make available some really good animated tutorials that may be helpful. You can find them here:
http://www3.telus.net/public/ulvestad/DecoderProDemos.html
HTH,
Steve