I am about to fall off the fence. I am close to buying the Digitrax super chief extra 5 amp. I got a BLI SW-7 with sound in the mail and it does work on DC but my power packs are very old and it struggles with the low voltage settings. The first thing I noticed is when you stop to change direction, the sound stops. Very annoying. Second thing that stood out is the low speed operation. I had to clean the track several times but this thing just crawls. I like that very much. So on the shelf it goes until I get a DCC system. I have also been looking at NCE, but I drive a Ford. And its a little bit more expensive but not much for starter sets. So a couple questions, Do I also need to buy power supplies for the digitrax and loconet? Are there longer cords available for tethered throttles? Can I buy loconet cables and throttle cables at my local electronics store.
Here's what you can do with either one. Buy a system and install JMRI on your computer. Than buy an adapter and you can use your cell phone to run your trains for free rather than buying $200 remotes and accessories needed. To tell you the truth ive used both and its just like theres coke drinker and pepsi drinkers. Chevy and ford drivers. Both are old systems and haven't really changed and the new blue tooth control coming out I would hold off on dumping money. If you want affordable and easy, look into buying a sprog dcc system. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
I was unaware of blue tooth control except a local club noted in their info sheet that they figured out how to operate with cell phones. Do you know when it is coming?
It's here. Chips are coming out January for $70 if you want to run dcc with your cellphone get a sprog for $100 and connect to your computer and you can do all kinds of stuff. Signals, routes, automatic trains etc. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Oh nuts! I looked it up. This does throw a wrench into things. http://tonystrains.com/wireless-model-railroad-control-with-an-iphone-ipod-touch-2/ Another link http://jmri.org/ Okay, back to study.
Yep. Way cheaper and easier. Digitrax and NCE fell way behind there own technology. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9ZXlmpW_AUAvqMsnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=operating+model+railroad+with+cell+phones&vid=2e197b17fab61353fab0dc026bd55389&turl=http://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=WN.VuDiHUHEzldRHeXd6VhiWA&pid=15.1&h=168&w=300&c=7&rs=1&rurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEVdKubk-wk&tit=WiFi+Controls+For+Model+Trains+Cell+Phones+and+Tablets-JMRI&c=0&h=168&w=300&l=2068&sigr=11bjcb3el&sigt=11rvu5ug0&sigi=12lsvgpb3&age=1365965232&fr2=p:s,v:v&fr=yhs-mozilla-003&hsimp=yhs-003&hspart=mozilla&tt=b About minute 22 you can see what the screen looks like. The rest is a bit confused. Here is a club using phones to operate https://video.search.yahoo.com/vide...mozilla-003&hsimp=yhs-003&hspart=mozilla&tt=b
So my original post went somewhere totally beyond what I was thinking. I actually like the looks of the cell phone throttle better than the standard throttles. It looks easy to understand.
This has been around awhile although I never heard of it. Used cell phones are cheap, found some around 25 bucks. So it is a game changer. If all you need for digitrax in the PR3 interface along with a starter system, why bother with buying the wireless system if your computer becomes the wireless network and your 25 dollar used phone becomes the wireless throttle. And from the video's it looks easier to use. Am I missing something here? A wireless throttle is expensive. Not sure the manufacturers are thrilled about this.
Nope! You are correct. You can do it for every scale. All systems too! Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
There may be a mixing/matching confusion of technologies in discussion, here. The JMRI WiThrottle server method, using a cell phone or tablet as controller, is WiFi communication for the JMRI inputs. This is different than Bluetooth control of the trains. The SV FreeMoN group has basically 100% converted to the JMRI WiFi process. As long as the JMRI server is running, everything is fine (which doesn't mean we don't, occasionally, have computer issues). All you need is a WiFi router that you log into, and something running JMRI plugged into the router. And, of course, a DCC command station of some sort, for JMRI to send the DCC packets to. As to questions from the OP -- yes, the command station requires its own power supply. I also provide DC power to each of the panels on my layout, rather than rely on track power. There are 6 conductor telephone cables available (you need "reversing" which isn't, really -- i.e. Pin 1 goes to Pin 1) in varying lengths, but they are also quite easy to make and much more economical. Get 6P6C RJ12 connectors (about 10 cents each), a crimp tool (abut $10) and 6 conductor wire (<$20 for 100 ft).
Watched a bunch of video's and read a lot of forums. It requires a computer with a router, I may have a couple 3 or 4 0f those around here, JMRI free software, an interface, PR3 is about 70 bucks and The WIThrottle software is free for basic or 10 for the advanced. So my plan is still buying the super chief starter set. Along with the PR3. Found a good video that explains the use of JMRI and DecoderPro. I would think programming my loco would be so much easier with a computer than using the hand throttle. Gotta have that from day 1.
Thanks, making my own cables sounds like the way to go. I will order the power supplies with the starter set. I have a computer super tech buddy who will set this up but as I understand it, the computer becomes the JMRI server. He is already ahead of most of us. The other day he was controlling my TV with his wristband health monitor thing. I have no idea but he does.
To answer your original question... Yes, you will need a power supply for Digitrax and NCE 5 amp + DCC systems. Both of those companies include a power supply with their lower current starter systems. Although I use my IPod and android tablets to run trains, I highly recommend purchasing at least one of the company's full feature throttles with a starter set. Doesn't need to be the more expensive wireless model. At some point, no matter which system and computer/WiFi hook up you have, there will come a time when simply plugging in the factory throttle will be more convenient. Extension cables for Digitrax throttles can be purchased at many stores or on line. If it will be just an extension cable for a throttle, a 4 wire telephone cable will suffice. I don't recommend them because this type of cable should not be used anywhere else on loconet but they do work as throttle extension cable. You must; however, have a battery in the throttle because the two missing wires are the ones that would supply power to a throttle. Martin Myers
Ain't that the truth! I love running trains with my phone, but would hate to have just a phone/tablet for my only means of running trains. +1 on the recommendation to get a factory throttle. -Mike
Thanks, I am going to purchase the whole system with a throttle to start with. There is a large computer store nearby with every type cord imaginable so the reason for the question. My tech buddy said he has a extra computer he will provide along with some phones. He is going to download the JMRI software and look it over. So all I need to do is call the hobby shop and order the super chief starter set with the power supply and the PS3 interface.
