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MRH

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Please post any comments or questions you have about this column here.
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Fuzzflyr Active Member 74 posts
Fuzzflyr

Enhancing your system

Thanks Bruce, for a fantastic (I rated it "awesome") article on JMRI and interfacing it with one's DCC system.  I am NEW to DCC, I have an NCE Power Pro rig.  I have already downloaded JMRI, but realized I needed to interface it to my PC.  It seems that (it could be my ignorance) many of the websites do not clearly discuss HOW to make the interface, and what actually goes on!  I'm not computer or technologically illiterate by any stretch, but with little info given on how a component interfaces with the computer, I was at a loss.  I will be purchasing the NCE USB adapter for my pike, so I can begin using DecoderPro.  Thanks for the informative and enlightening article!  MRH is the greatest thing to come along for the hobby since electricity!  I make sure to mention to advertisers that I "saw it in MRH" whenever I order!  Keep up the great work!

Carl
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,950 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

easySYNC/FTDI = no/low reputation?

Dear Bruce,

It's worth noting that the EasySYNC cable mentioned is based on the FTDI RS232R adaptor chip. FTDI-based adaptors _do_ have a long and trusted reputation for reliability and RS232-spec compatibility in the Domestic Electrical/Home Theatre, Security, Electronic and Automated Signage, Animatronics, Industrial process control, and many other industries where RS232 programming and control is still in extensive use. Many of these industries have far more on-the-line than the average Model RR/JMRI install, and FTDI is a "go to" choice in such mission-critical situations...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

You may not want to buy the

You may not want to buy the NCE USB cord. If you have a PowerCab (2-amp system), YES! If you REALLY have a PowerPro (5-amp) system, you will NOT be able to use DecoderPro with it, using the NCE USB adapter. This deals with the system architecture of the system. The basic design of the command station is about 20 years old. Yes, there have been updates to the firmware, but the basic architecture is that old and the limiting factor. You want a RS232 to USB adapter, as discussed in my column and the post above.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

EasySync

Thanks, John for your input. I asked on the NCE-DCC Yahoo group and seemed to be the only person in the world using it! Glad to hear of its reputation! I feel better about recommending it and will put it on my web site. I hope this won't keep you from giving my column an AWESOME rating. The June column was the first not to finish on the top 5 since I started in October and I was bummed. Guess all good things come to an end sometime.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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SudroBrown New member 2 posts
SudroBrown

USB <-> RS232 Adapter

You may also want to mention that if you are using a 64-bit version of windows you also need to have the 64-bit drivers available for the adapter... My Belkin (purchased at Staples) adapters do not have the 64-bit drivers, but do have 32-bit drivers... This works with my Vista 32-bit laptop, but not with my new Windows 7 64-bit desktop...

NOTE: I haven't checked Belkin the last week or so... So this may have changed... I also ran into this problem with an Epson scanner...
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,950 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

FTDI's got you covered

Dear Sudro, Bruce,

FTDI has you covered...

http://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm

http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

FTDI-based "EasySYNC" RS232R user in Pro Audio duty since 2000
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davesn3 New member 4 posts
davesn3

Zimo MX1

Bruce,

The Zimo MX1 has a built-in RS232 serial port, not a USB port as mentioned in your article.  The forthcoming MX10 is supposed to have a USB interface and a network interface, but it is still in development.

Dave Heine

 

Dave H.
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Dave Heine re: Zimo

That's what I get for just reading a web site and reporting it! Thanks for setting us straight, Dave. I must have misread it. I apologize to the readers for any issues this may cause. Dave, what is the connector on the MX-1?

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Another editorial issue

On page 21, the first paragraph discusses the system box for the Digittax Empire Builder and Super Empire Builder, the DB150. In an early copy, I had a typo and had said DB100. In the final editing, it was changed to DB150, but only ONCE. All references in this paragraph are to the DB150. Sorry for any confusion.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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mario1 Active Member 37 posts
mario1

My mistake Bruce.

Hi Bruce

I sent u a corespondant earlier regarding the reading and programming on the DB100. I said u could.

I stand corrected. I misread. Ur right u cant. I have the DCS100 which u could perform those functions.

My appologies Bruce.

Mario

 

 

 
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

DB100 vs. DB150 vs. DCS100

While you may have made a mistake, Mario, confusing a DCS100, which is a full-featured system, with a DB, which is (in my opinion) a booster with a very poor excuse for a command station built in. That doesn't change the editorial issue. The number was corrected from 100 to 150 only once of the several times that it appeared. I have expressed my views on the DB150 to the owners of Digitrax on several occasions. Many of us dealers begged Digitrax to discontinue the Empire Builder system in 2005 during the first Advanced Dealer Training seminar. The dealers report the highest "buyer's remorse" on the Empire Builder of any product they sell. Most of the discontent relates to the lack of a programming track.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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bfhalloran New member 21 posts
bfhalloran

Bruce's column

It's wonderful that you guys have Bruce doing a DCC column; he speaks English, makes things clear, does not go tangential, names products by name and number and tells you the pros and cons all perfectly clearly and has enough space to finish a subject without diving off the deep end and leaving us stranded.

Bernie Halloran

 
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Dave Heap New member 11 posts
Dave Heap

Programming Track Boosters for NCE Power Pro

It is worth noting that many users have found the NCE Power Pro/PowerPax/SoundTraxx Tsunami combination does not play well, whereas the NCE Power Pro/PTB-100/SoundTraxx Tsunami combination does. I started with a PowerPax but eventually had to swap it for a PTB-100. However, CVP EasyDCC users report that the PowerPax/Tsunami combination is fine on their systems. Dave
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

PTB100

Dave, I only used a PowerPax until I did beta testing of the original steam Tsunami. At that time Soundtraxx sent me a beta version of the PTB100. I put it on the shop's DCS100 and never looked back. I hadn't heard the results you report, but am not surprised. Having had a very close relationship with the folks in Durango (it is a short day's drive), I tend to be more knowledgable with their products than those of competitors. Therefore, I tend to recommend them. As I said in the column, when being used with the Zephyr, I find the PowerPax advantageous, given the separate power supply. Otherwise, I recommend the PTB100!

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Thank you, Bernie

Comments like yours, and I hope an accompanying 5-star vote, make my day!

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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tomfratello Active Member 35 posts
tomfratello

Enhancing your system

Bruce,

Excellent article, I enjoyed every word.  I have a question.  I am trying to set up my programming system like figure 4 in your article.  I am using a PowerCab and I want to connect it to the NCE USB adapter ant then to my computer.  The illustration is great for showing how to connect the PowerCab to the USB adapter and the computer system to the USB adapter.  Can you tell me how to connect all this to the programming track?  I don't see any place to connect the track wires to anything.

Thanks

Tom

Please copy my e-mail: tffratello@hotmail.com
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

The rear, Tom

Tom - You connect the track to the rear of the PCP (PowerCab Connection Panel) that comes with the PowerCab.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Terry Nathan New member 6 posts
Terry Nathan

Other Topics

Bruce,

Love your articles, and never fail to pick up a gem or two from them.  This month you mentioned, in passing, Railroad and Co.  I have heard wonderful things about them, and they appear to be the premier package in scalable automation.  But I find their web site and documentation absolutely useless.  I don't know if there is a large enough market to make that worth an article, or even if their software is worthy of the publicity.  But if there is something there worth talking about, you might certainly be able us understand what they offer.

And speaking of automation, I find one of the untold stories that should get more exposure is that of the NCE Mini Panel.  For those of us who have automated trolley lines, mining trains, or other secondary operations, it is a gem.  For less than $50, you can completely automate the vehicle, sounds, turnouts, and trackside accessories of any portion of your layout.  I just can't believe everyone doesn't have one or that you never hear anything about that little board. 

Perhaps a future article on automated operations could include all the tools that are out there, as well as a general discussion of how these tools can enhance the experience of even a fully operator-oriented layout.  I know the Mini Panel was originally designed as simply a mechanism to create routes for panel-driven layouts.  And I think the Railroad & Co. software is very oriented to working with human operations.  So even the folks who want to control every motion on their layout could benefit from knowing about the automation tools that are out there.

Keep up the good work, and can't wait for next month's article.

Terry

 
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Thanks, Terry

I appreciate your comments and your taking the time to check in and offer some guidance. I'm not likely to ever write a column about RR&CO. I've not had the opportunity to work with it and don't write from "ideas" but from "experiences." I was given a copy at the first Digitrax Advanced Dealers Seminar, but haven't even loaded it. I've never had a layout worth thinking about automating. I agree with your position on the mini-panel. Alas, again, I haven't workd with one. I hope to do so such that I can make useful observations. Stay tuned for "How Do I Get the Sound Out?" in August, complete with a 8 minute companion video.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Off list eMail with Tom Fratello

I wanted to share the discussion we had by eMail with the group. On Jul 13, 2012, at 9:07 AM, Thomas Fratello wrote: Bruce,   Thanks for the fast reply.  I have the PowerCab and it is connected to the track as you describe.  I do not have a NCE USB Interface yet.  From the picture I don't see where I can conntect the computer and the interface to the PowerCab and PTP [should be PCP - Bruce].  Am I supposed to connect the PTP and the USB Interface together using a short Cab Bus cable?   Tom My reply: You use the coiled cable that came with the PowerCab to connect the USB adapter to the PCP. You supply a USB cable to go between the computer and the USB adapter. Figure 4 got cropped such that you can't see that the cable from the right side of the USB adapter to the right jack on the PCP was the coiled cord. Sorry. The track connected to the PCP is a programming track when in the "use programming track" mode. You need to make sure that only one decoder is on that track at one time. If you add a NCE AutoSW (automatic switch) you can separate the main and the programming track.

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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upwpfan New member 2 posts
upwpfan

SPROG - Additional Info

Bruce;

My compliments to you and the magazine for an excellent article. I would like to build on what you stated about the SPROG.

- It does not need a PTB to program sound decoders.

- The SPROG II in conjunction with Panel Pro can be used to control a small layout. However, its output is low (1.25 amp) and is some what limiting when used as such. The new SPROG III is available with a full 3 amp output. If you want walk around throttle ability you will need a Wifi Router, computer, and Panel pro, plus cell phones or other devices to load the throttle software onto.

- S Boost is now available. It is a stand alone booster that is compatible with any DCC system. This allows expansion of your system by adding power districts. With modification it can also be used as auto reverser.

- The SPROG web site has a list of dealers around the country if you want to see the device in operation.

I have been SPROG II user and dealer for the last 3 years and have a lot of happy customers.

Keep up the good work. Thank you

Jere Ingram
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PeterU Regular poster 213 posts
PeterU

SPROG 3

Actually the SPROG 3 is only rated at 2.5 amps

Peter Ulvestad
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abehlerjr Active Member 37 posts
abehlerjr

Another GREAT Column

Bruce,

Have been using Decoder Pro for 2 years, both at home (NCE) and at my club (Digitrax) and I simply don't know what I'd do without it. Makes everything, and I do mean everything easier.

Thanks for another great column

Al

 
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

Thanks, Al

An appreciative audience makes it FUN!

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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