So I buy a Digitrax system...Digitrax Super Empire Builder Xtra Set. I even buy a Digitrax PR3 USB Programmer/Interface. I download JMRI Decoder Pro thinking this will make programming decoders easier. YEA RIGHT!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I have lost all decoder programming on all my locos but one...and I aint about to put it on the programming track ! I am about ready to hook up my old Atlas Commander to a stick of track to reprogram these locos. Am am sooooooooooooo frustrated right now. I dont wanna go back to DC but if I cant figure this stuff out soon....I just may. Why does it seem to be so *&(*&%*&^*&^($%$@#*&(&)_ complicated ??? Any help for a rookie would be appreciated This is all supposed to be fun...and right now...IT AIN'T !!!! *End of rant* :angry:
I am so sorry that you are having issues, but I am willing to bet there are some folks here that will help you through these challenges. I have limited experience with Digitrax so I would rather not comment in fear of adding to your frustration. Give some time here for responses and I am sure you will be golden.
Thnxs John... I guess the older I get the shorter my patience level...lol. Just an FYI to all reading...I have read the manuals. The JMRI manual...OMG...all greek to me ! I am using mostly TCS CN-GP decoders. I am NOT using sound decoders and wont (personal preferrence). I have NO Digitrax decoders. Truth be told...out of about 10 locomotives I have...only 5 have decoders. I am waiting untill I get this layout track laid and working right. Once that portion is done...I will look into putting decoders in the rest of what I have...and/or buying older/newer locos that already have decoders in them. thnxs again for reading
I like your idea of starting small and expanding the DCC as you successfully master it. I do this build on success strategy using a Digitrax Zephyr and JMRI. I started with a single locomotive in 2006 and have expanded to a system that has over 70 locomotives (more than half have decoders), an RR-Cirkits Tower 64 controller, and five Team Digital switch machine drivers that control 40 turnouts. I use a programming track exclusively and I save each locomotive configuration in its own file. I can recover the original programming and never corrupt more than one locomotive at a time. Computers do what we tell them to do, not what we want them to do. Be careful what you ask a computer to do for you! I have a lot of lessons learned and an early one was never to use main track programming when here is more than one locomotive on the main.
George could you be more specific as to what you mean by "I have lost all decoder programming on all my locos but one...". If it is the listing in JMRI that is lost, a fix is quite easy.
Please be more specific on your trouble. Really can't begin to help without more detail. Are you using the PR3 to read and write CV's on a separate programming track? As far as reading all of the manuals. I've been using Digitrax since 1996 and have yet to attempt reading the whole manual in one attempt. I actually offended the writer of the DecoderPro Manual when I asked him if one was needed. He informed me that there already was a manual and he had edited it. Martin Myers
I have a Digitrax DB150, as well as a Zephyr Xtra. It sounds like you're trying to jump in the deep end of the pool, before you learn to swim. So, with that opinion in mind...: First, temporarily forget the PR3 and JMRI. Stick with the basics, learn how to do that, then move on to the add-on programming tools. I use my Zephyr to program on the programming track, isolated from the rest of the layout. When I have the basic configuration loaded, such as address, volume for sound locomotives, and base acceleration/deceleration rates, then I put the locomotive on the track, and finish tweaking it with the "big" Digitrax system. With your DB150, you probably got a DT402 throttle, which is what I have. When you push the "prog" button, you have to option to blast a change at everything on the layout, or, by repeatedly pressing the "prog" button, you can specify one locomotive. When you get to the one locomotive, then turn the left knob on the throttle until you have the CV you want to change, then turn the right knob to the value you want. Push the 'enter" button, then the "exit" button. And I have learned with DCC, as with computers, being close can still be far, far away. Patience is your friend. Oh, if you just absolutely can't get the thing to work, call Digitrax in the morning, ask for tech support, and they will talk you down. You might have to leave a phone number for call back, but they will call you.
OK...its a new day...slept well. I have a section of Unitrack wired to the PR3 which is connected to the PC here in the house. Opening JMRI...locos are listed ok. At the very bottom of the JMRI panel....in red....are the words "No Service Mode Programmer Available" and next to that "No Operations Mode Programmer Available". I put a loco on the programming track... With that in mind...I open a loco in JMRI from the list...or even add a new loco. I tried clicking the "Identify" button up top but a message window opens "Identify loco called when no service mode programmer is available" Double clicking a loco in the list opens a panel. The panel has 2 tabs "Roster Entry" and "Basic". I entered all the info I had on all the lines on the "Roster Entry" tab. The only field NOT avaialble is "DCC ADDRESS". The "Basic Tab has either "2 digit addressing" or "4 digit addressing" buttons. Clicking the "4 digit addressing" button I am able to add the complete loco # in there. Click 'File' and 'Save' and closing that window is fine. Trying to close decoder Pro 3 I get the quit verification window pop up. Click YES. Most times I get a window that says 'there are fields not filled in' and something about filling in the "ID". I can force a shut down of the program but it will tell me "No Service Mode Programmer Available"'all entered data will be lost'. Taking the train out to the layout and entering its # on the throttle....(drum roll plese !)........ NOTHING !! The loco just sits there...no lights....no motion....no buzzing....not even wisps of the magic smoke (which is a good thing!) Now...for clarification: These locos where originally setup with my Atlas Commander and had a 2 digit address. Yes...they ran fairly good on the old system. Thgere where some glitches with throttle control. I want 4 digit adressing so I can haver the locos in rhe stack with their full ID. My thought is with the new Digitrax system...the JMRI program...changing some CV's...basically 'tweaking" these decoders...thnigs would smooth out. Instead...I have locos just sitting on the track...doing NOTHING !! HOpe this is the type of info needed to at least start the ball rolling for solutions. Thanxs for helping
George, I am no expert by any means but I experienced something similar with a JMRI/NCE set up. Seems that the JMRI was not connected to a computer port. I got it to work, by accident. Perhaps that could be the issue. Carl
I also think you have a set up problem. In the preferences window under "System manufacturer" you should have Digitrax. Under "System connection" you should have Loconet PR3. Under "Com Port" you should have the one showing in Windows Devices Manager. The PR3 must also be powered with a 14v. to 16v. power supply when used in a standalone programmer mode. To start programming, use the "Programming on the programming track" button on the opening window of Decoder Pro When in the list window, at the botton of this window select "Comprehensive" from the drop down list. I must say this is the first time I see those errors.
Thnxs Carl... The Usb cable is connected to a USB port. All the lights on the PR3 flash once. Then the green "USB" led flashes every few seconds. I read that this means its connected ok. The second led (red) labeled "ERR" does stay on steady...untill I push the button for USB...then the second light flashes rapidly and the first light still flashes every few seconds and the end red stst light will flash every few seconds . Putting a loco with a decoder installed on the programming track does NOT change any of the leds flashing sequences on the PR 3.
Thnxs I checked all those and added what needed to be. The only one that has nothing is seriel port which says (none selected) with the only other option (no seriel ports found !) Clicking SAVE pops up a window that some sort of serial port needs to be added...grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I was also told the PR# doesnt need a power source when hooked up to a USB port as the port itself will power the PR3. I just hooked up the digitrax 14v power supply and now the frst 2 lights blink every second.
STOP HERE! Until you resolve this issue there is no point in discussing any further issues. Call up decopderPro and check the preferences screen as previously mentioned. If no com port available - PR3 drivers may not be properly installed. On the computer call up 'Control Panel' and select 'Device Manager'. In the Com Port section pull up the 'properties' on each com# listed and make sure the manufacturer is Digitrax and is working properly. Jerry
Ok...stopping here. I remember a mini disk...and i remember installing it. I am looking for that disk again...for a reinstall. Please standby
George, Let's look at this as Jerry says. The problem lies in your computer/PR3 setup. If you want to call me, I can step you through the process, my phone number is in your PM box.
George, there is no need for a power supply when the PR3 is connected to LocoNet, in standalone programmer mode you definitely need a power supply and 16v is my recommandation. I would jump on David's offer and phone him, I am positive he can step you through installing the proper driver for your system and select the com port associated to the PR3 by Windows.
Hi George, Looking at the manual online it looks like you have low power or no power to the PR3. The table on page 5 of the manual reads Fast blinking of the "ERR" LED indicates that the "+12VDC Power not connected or too low (Programmer mode)" One of the features of the PR3 is; Selectable LocoNet termination. For standalone operation without needing a Command Station. In the manual there is a section on Loconet Termination. It too mentions the status of the "error" LED. The Loconet Termination Switch: A LocoNet network always requires a termination of some sort, typically from a Command Station. The LocoNet Termination switch next to the “ERR(or)” LED is designed to toggle the PR3 between a LocoNet terminated by a Digitrax Command station and a stand alone LocoNet where seperate termination is required. The PR3 has the ability to act as a LocoNet terminator. Set this switch active ONLY when a Command Station is NOT connected to the Loconet and the red LED is solid on indicating there is no Command Station connected. NOTE: Do not turn on the Loconet termination mode AND connect to a command station at the same time. To turn on the Loconet termination mode, press and hold this switch for at least 2 seconds then release. The red “error” LED should go off indicating the Loconet termination mode is working. If the red LED is blinking, then the PR3 DC power in the rear 2.1mm jack is not connected or is too low. To exit the Loconet termination mode, press and hold this switch for 2 seconds and then release. Hope this helps. Gary
There has been a lot of discussion thread on the PR3 devices and they can be problematic when you install the drivers. if you let Windows choose the driver, you are asking for trouble. I do not have a device, but have read several threads about it on the Digitrax Yahoo group. You need to be sure to point to the driver from the disk when the install is in progress. Once you have a valid connection to the PR3 and Loconet you will be up and running. Please remember though that with a DB150, you will not be able to read back from decoders, only program them.
George, I don't think the PR3 and JMRI are seeing the DB150. Put your last good engine on the track and select it and make sure it runs back and forth. Then go to JMRI and go to LOCONET TOOLS and select Monitor loconet. Then run your engine, turn the lights on and off. You should see JMRI log the changes as you perform them. Do not try to do any more programming until you can monitor loconet. Under Loconet tools there is a PR3 tool to set it to interface mode or programming mode. You have to be in interface mode to "see" the layout and "programmer" mode to use the PR3 connect to a separate section of track to program. I had a lot of problems getting the PR3 to work the first time. Now using JMRI, it is easy as long as you remember to check for the correct mode. Hope this helps. Glenn
