I’m just becoming acquainted with JMRI software after seeing it recommended on several threads here. As I understand it, Panel Pro is to “run your trains” using your PC… but how does it talk to the layout? I have Digitrax Zephyr and Loco-Buffer II and have just started messing with DecoderPro. Have browsed through the Yahoo JMRI group and JMRI’s site, but not able to get to this basic question.
Thanks!
With Digitrax, the Locobuffer is how your computer running PanelPro ‘talks’ tot he layout. Now yu need the additional elements to actually gather the information - such as block detectors. You could use a system that operates outside of Loconet, but the only one PanelPro really supports is Bruce Chubb’s C/MRI. Since you already have Digitrax and Loconet - and there are companies thatoffer Loconet-compatible devices besides Digitrax, why not use the existign bus. The block detectors interface to Loconet - thuse PanelPro and your PC will see the messages as your trains run over the layout. If you want the dispatcher at the console to be able to control turnouts, you will need stationary decoders to operate the switch machines. These do not have to interface to the Loconet - PanelPro may send comamnds to the command station via Loconet, but those commands can be ones that issue standard DCC switch commands over the power bus - I have a bunch of NCE SwitchIts that work just fine from my Zephyr and PanelPro. If you want signals - there are a multitide of options, using basic I/O boards like the LocoIO or CML DTM16, or signal controllers like the Digitrax SE8C, CML’s SIGM10, or Team Digital’s SIC24. These plug in to Loconet, and commands from PanelPro can set signal aspects.
Since you have a Locobuffer-II - check the RR-CirKits web site. *** has posted a how-to clinic on using PanelPro. Plus he is now shipping his Tower Controller unit which is a great high-density Loconet interfaced I/O system - different daughter cards plug in to the base unit to add block detection, signalling, and other things. It may look expensive, but the per-port cost is actually LOWER than just about any other option. And it all works VERY well together - I spent over an hour talking to *** at the Timonium show in October.
–Randy
Thanks for all the good information, Randy. I was afraid no one was going to respond. Looks like there is some considerabloe expense (as I suspected there would be) in the project… it may have to wait.
yes it is expensive if u want to detect trains. I just control turnouts using stationary decoders and Tortoises. That isn’t cheap but it isn’t off the planet either, and it is seriously fun to click the mouse, see the turnout icon change and hear the Tortoise whirr.
The other thing that put me off train detection is having to break the danged track up into lots of blocks again instead of wiring the track off a single bus. Kind of undoes all that wiring-simplicity advantage of DCC
I’m with you on that, Rob. I might do it this time round as I’m just starting on a new layout after moving to a new house. But the main thing that kept me from it before was going back into blocks mode…
Jack - I’m not so sure you should write it off as expensive. There’s a lot of breadth in that area. One could argue that DCC itself is expensive between the system, throttles, decoders, etc. But there’s also a school that argues it’s really comparable to DC from a “ground up” perspective. All the wires, DPDT toggles, LEDs, etc. can really add up, especially if you’re trying for functionality anything close to what DCC offers. My viewpoint is that it’s probably a bit more for DCC, but not as much as people think, and well worth it regardless.
Now as to the expense of going to a computer interface/JMRI model. A key factor of expense there is whether you have a computer you can use or must acquire one. Even then, having run it, I can tell you that the latest/greatest computer is absolutely NOT required. You could probably buy a 2-year-old model for a couple hundred bucks that would be more than enough. It’s not entirely unlikely you could get one for free… I’ve been offered “it’s free if you take it away for me” computers a few different times by family & friends who where updating. If you let it be known you’re interested in picking up an ‘out of date’ computer, you may luck out.
A basic run-by-wire JMRI setup, minus computer, becomes pretty cheap. Maybe you have to pay $75 or so for an interface if your system (like mine, Lenz) doesn’t come with it. JMRI itself is free. At that point, having computer, JMRI installed and interface, you’re running.
The detection thing adds expense for sure. Lots of decoders and such to manage that… BUT, hold up a minute. Right about now we’re really seeing two-way decoders and systems emerging. Some systems (again, e.g. mine - Lenz) had ability to “listen” built in. Others can have it added on by download. New decoders offering
Yeah and since PanelPro follows Loconet, I can hit the switch command on my DT400 and the icon on the panel changes too. Te only thing that bypasses that is using local control buttons but, after my long talk with *** Bronson, I’m not goign to use any more NCE Switch-Its, I’m going to hook the local buttons up using his Tower Controller because of one nifty feature it has - an ops mode programmable CV that blocks input from any desired port. ANd a pass-through mode that works without the controllign computer. My father-n-law insists that he NOT have to turn on a computer just to run trains - so using the Tower Controller I can have the local buttons all operations when the computer is off, but whe I’m doing a real operating session with a dispatcher, the local buttons only are activated if the DS clicks the local control button for that OS section. Perfect.
–Randy
Oh Randy, now you’ve done it. Another gadget I just have to own. Dang!!
I had thoughts of doing somethign similar with hard wired switches controlling connectiosn to the DS54s, Tortoises etc to allow dispatcher overrides. That way I get all the fun of DCC and insanely complex control panel wiring too!! Looks like Tower Controller makes it hard for me to justify going that route. I’ll check it out
Hi Randy
Just noticed your comment “Te only thing that bypasses that is using local control buttons but…”. My DS54s feed back to JMRI. CLick the local fascia control and the PanelPro icon changes with it
Cheers
Rob