I am well on my way to having most of my engines decoder equipped. It is becoming inevitable that I will want to MU engines of different manufacturers and models. Additionally, I am seeing the need to customize the decoder engine control performance in some my units. WHAT is the best software for plugging in a decoder and setting certain parameters? What I want is a program that is VERY user friendly. I just give it the numbers, the software does all the binary/hex/ voodoo math conversions. The software would have operate on my Windows XP system (Dell 4400). And hardware? Is there an adapator that one can get and just plug the decoder into the adaptor and USB the device to the PC? How does the decoder hook up t the PC?????? Thanks for any input I can get on this. [ March 07, 2005, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: Kitbash ]
Try this for starters: http://jmri.sourceforge.net/ Click on "decoderpro" on the left side of the page. I am expecting my Digitrax Zephyr in the mail today and have been doing lots of net surfing...this program is free and looks to do what you want. Good luck!!
I use the JMRI DecoderPro talked about above. It works well but there is a slight learning curve. The way that this program and most other programs work is that you tie a computer into the DCC network. Then you place the engine on the normal programming track. You do not hook directly from the computer to the engine. The programs use the programming function of the command station to program the decoder. You don't say what DCC system you are using. If you are using Digitrax, then you would need a computer, the JMRI DecoderPro Software, a LocoBuffer, and the command station. The LocoBuffer is available through Tony's Train Exchange or RR CirKits. David
Thank you. Yes I have a Digitrax SEB. I just clicked around looking at the LocoBuffer. Fortunately, I have a UP-5 interface within 4ft of my home computer. I will have to look into this further. Thank you again for the reply. This helps. Given that I have a Super Empire, how badly will I be hindered by not having the capability to "read CV's"?????? Seems to me that would be a very "convenient" and useful bit (no pun intended) of information. [ March 07, 2005, 01:28 PM: Message edited by: Kitbash ]
The SPROG (instead of the LocoBuffer) will work with Digitrax I believe, and I think WILL read CVs. I suspect all your really need is the power supply, not the Digitrax system. see www.sprog-dcc.co.uk comes real fast from the UK - cheap shipping too. Michael
