I was involved with digital electronics/computers for a good part of my career and I was good at analyzing/troubleshooting/debugging, too, both software and hardware. I don't want to do that stuff anymore, particularly with my trains. Doug
If only it were that simple. Most every DCC system includes the ability to program (configure) locomotive decoders. To make it significantly easier to use, you need to attach a computer, via USB usually, to the command station, and run JMRI on the computer to help you configure the decoder, and/or debug that configuration. But it is often not the configuration that is the cause of a problem with a locomotive. A broken/shorted wire here, a wobbly gear there, and who knows what else could be causing an issue with a DCC (or DC) locomotive. No analyzer gonna help with that. Funny how even automotive diagnostic tools aren't made for folks that don't know there way around under the hood of a car. It's not like DCC diagnostic analyzers would be any different. They would help the skilled technician, not the unskilled owner, fix the loco more efficiently.
I have no first-hand experience with MRC decoders, just enough reading about them to steer wide and clear of them. It's a shame, given MRC's history with DC power-packs. But those are very primitive compared to a decoder (or a command station). I have no knowledge of their DCC Command Stations.
You won't mind if I stand with you on this one. Although it would be nice to have a portable diagnostic analyzer in hand when something goes wrong. Fixing it I don't think I would ever be that guy. Looks like we've kicked this dead horse around the block enough times. Thanks for all of your responses, likes, and the grins we've shared. I need to get back to putting my stub end yard in. Want that behind me so I can put the top deck back on and eventually run some trains. More later.
You don't want to know. Actually MRC was good enough to rebuild a power supply returning to the owner what appeared to be a brand new unit. I think because of our lack of knowledge and knowing how it works we ended up with the same problems. First off buying new is the best way to go and leave the used electronics right where you find it. A Leaverite. Okay, back to work.
I think all DCC should be voice recognition, " DCC system (or Alexa?), run all my trains at one time and don't let any of them crash, derail, or run into each other." Doug
Jeannie, would work out great. Her and that cute outfit. LOL She's only into fly guys not train guys. Funny but I do have three cats they are namaed Samantha, Tabitha and Esmeralda not related to Jeannie. that might be a good thing. You know, different TV shows. All three of these cats when kittens walked by my "Dude I got a Dell" and changed things, where I had to go into the control panel to make changes. Magic!! Thus their names. Static Electricity, I'm guessing. Not so much anymore.
Talked to my son-in-law, Mr. Landlord. I can hang indirect lighting on the wall but not from the ceiling. One of those timely projects. Are we having fun yet? No, not yet.
Use helium filled balloons to hover your lights above the layout, no nails in the ceiling that way. Just use enough to also cover the weight of the electrical cord too!
My major issue with those that are loaded with DCC is that it's the way they converse. It must be a long string of capital letters with no meaning and they use names without saying what they do. Even if asked. Just a foreign language like lawyers and judges use.
Richard, Thank you for speaking up!!! I understand your frustration, and it certainly can be intimidating. Please don't let it! We all are learning here, just from different starting points. We need to be reminded of that occasionally. Acronyms are a way of life everywhere, even in plain old 1:1 railroading (e.g. MOW [Maintenance Of Way], TOFC [Trailer On Flatcar], etc.) Please don't feel humiliated in not knowing; just ask when you need clarification. Most of us will be thrilled that somebody wants to know more! And I would hope that those who are irritated by having to explain an acronym would be "taken out behind the verbal woodshed!" We definitely need to do a better job of identifying less common acronyms the first time we use them in a conversation, especially here, where we are trying to encourage others, not intimidate them! We need to better understand our audience and not speak over their heads, and we often need reminding of that. Thank you!
People using abbreviations/acronyms in situations where not everybody or not even some might understand them has always been a pet peeve of mine but I have probably done it, myself. Doug
