Vinny,

I did exactly what you have done, went from MRC to Digitrax, and had some problems. I had existing locos with motion and sound. I wrongly assumed that I had to reprogram all of my locomotives. I did not. All I had to do was hook up the new Digitrax exactly the same as the MRC had been.

Next I had to put 9 volt batteries in both throttles. The manual said I didn't need the battery but it is wrong.

I suggest you start over. Get the Digitrax to work without JMRI in the loop at all. Take the computer, PR3, and the CD and put them aside. You should be able to operate your existing DCC equipped locomotive as is.

My computer has Window XP Pro with all of the up to date patches. Windows Vista and 7 may be different.

This is what I did:

Once you have accomplished getting Digitrax functioning then add JMRI and the PR3.My experience with Decoder Pro is download and install the program.

Turn off your computer. Hook up the USB cable between the computer and the PR3. Lastly connect the wires to the program track and main. Plug in the "phone" cables from the PR3 to the booster.

I found the hard way that I needed more than the 12 volt power pack for the PR3. Soundtraxx really needs 18 volts. Replacing the 12 with the 18 made a big difference.

With the Digitrax and PR3 on, start your computer. Windows plug and play will "see" the PR3 and request the drivers. Put in the CD and select the CD. There are directions the came with the PR3 as to where on the CD to have the install look.

When this process is complete, it should be completed quickly once you "point" the install to the right place on the CD.

Remove the CD. Start JMRI, it will ask you to select the port and hardware. Once the selection is complete save it.

You should be able to start adding your locomotives at this point. You mention the cables you used for the Loconet, you have to make sure you have the correct type.

I hope this helps. I had a lot of trouble at first, most of it because of my own preconceived ideas. I did email Digitrax and received feedback and a phone call. The gentlemen was quite helpful. Also the forums were helpful, but you have to give them all the details you can. Garbage in/garbage out applies here.

I assume that you are using a Windows based PC.  If your PR3 came with an older setup disk you may not have the appropriate Windows drivers loaded to operate the PR3 with your computer.  You can download (free) the appropriate PR3 drivers from the Digitrax Website.

Also make sure when you set up JMRI that it is reading the correct USB port which is connected to the PR3.

I have been a satisfied Digitrax owner and user since 1998. I use the DCS100 Command Station with my PR3 and as a stand alone programmer with out problems. 

When you plug the USB cable in from the PR3, it should prompt you for the driver.  Once you have the driver installed, you need to make sure you are using the right COM port in JMRI.  JMRI only lists the active COM ports, so  you can try each one if you aren't sure.  JMRI needs to restart each time you change the port, but once you get it working (and it didn't take me long to get it working), you will not regret it.  So much simpler to program and store loco information.

  hello Dave & Jim....i did check the com port JMRI was trying to talk to & found i was using the wrong port. before switching the ports, i had a message in red at the bottom of the programming page "no service track" "no programmer" or something to that nature. after switching the ports, both those statements change to green & "found program track" & "found programmer". that's a good thing.

  so now i try to program one of my locos (atlas dash 8 40 bw equipped with the factory installed lenz decoder.i was not able to program Start V, Max V, or cv6 mid volt.  ( speed table was not highlighted) also, i could not get the throttle to work. next i tried to do a read & at the end it said " error, could not communicate with command station 306".  i think i might have found my problem. i you have read my post, i mentioned i was using some atlas cables from their signaling system with a junction point connecting the cables together so i could get the length i needed, i just looked at the junction block ( with my magnifiers) & i see it's only a 4 position connector...duh.

  before finding this problem, i had ordered 2, RJ12 cables one 12' & the other 6'. but until they get here i will see if i could get a 6 RJ12 postion connector.

i want to thank you both for your help. i was getting pretty frustrated, being on a fixed income & spending $500.00 + was not an easy task. i really appreciate all  your help...i will keep you guys posted

vinny 

hello Bob..thanks for taking the time to help me out.i did try your suggestion, unfortunately it didn't work. but, i you read my previous post from today, i have found the problem. i was using the wrong Com port. i still have another issue, but i found that one also. the electrical connector that i used only has contacts for 4 wires. so today i ordered a couple of RJ12 cables from "yankeedabbler" 

i will keep you posted on the outcome

thanks again for your help

vinny

You can use the PR3 as a standalone programmer, too.  There is a PR3 mode setting, under Preferences, I believe, that will allow you to use the PR3 as a standalone programmer if you don't want to wait for the cable.  Just connect a piece of track directly to the PR3 track outputs.  Do you have the power supply for the PR3?  That is needed if you are going to program any sound locos.  I used my PR3 attached to my PC with a short section of track wired up for a couple years before getting the RJ12 cable to connect to my Zephyr.  

   hello Dave...ok, since i have gotten the USB problem solved & the right RJ12 coupler (temp until i get my cables) when i go to program the is a flashing  message at the bottom of the page that says " programming error.. time out talking to command station 306" this is flashing while trying to program. it goes through the CV's i want to program, but at the end it says "programming error..time out talking to command station 306"  this also happens when i am in the stand alone mode. also the throttle doesn't work from the JMRI

  i am not a computer geek so all of this is new to me. i am at the point now where i want to take it all out & selling it.i hope that you can help me.

vinny

  hello jim..ok, since i have gotten the USB problem solved & the right RJ12 coupler (temp until i get my cables) when i go to program there is a flashing message at the bottom of the page that says " programming error.. time out talking to command station 306" this is flashing while trying to program. it goes through the CV's i want to program, but at the end it says "programming error..time out talking to command station 306" this also happens when i am in the stand alone mode. also the throttle doesn't work from the JMRI

my operating system is windows 7

i am not a computer geek so all of this is new to me. i am at the point now where i want to take it all out & selling it.i hope that you can help me.

vinny

I had the same problem.  My PR3 was first connected to my desktop PC  (Windows XP) at home, using JMRI. 

I took the PR3 on the road (I work away from home).  I have a test track and use my laptop PC (Windows 7) to program decoders on the test track.   (I use my time away from home to install and test DCC decoders in my locomotive fleet.) 

I was having the same problems.  I use a DCS100 command station at home,but picked up a Digitrax Zepher (DCS50) cheep on Ebay when the new Zepher came out.  I use the Zepher to run the test track.  I was having the same communication problems.  I was using the PR3/JMRI on my home PC with no problems.  I went to the Digitrax website and downloaded the new Windows drivers and loaded them on my laptop.  Everything worked just fine.

Also,don't assume your Loconet cable works. Use the the Loconet tester (you should have received one with your Digitrax set) to ensure you are getting a good signal over your Loconet cable.  I make my own Loconet cables from Telco modular cables, however most Telco cables cross the wires from end to end, while a Loconet cable needs uncrossed wires.  To make a Loconet cable,I cut the RJ25 jack off of one end  and crimp a new (reversed) RJ25 jack on the end.  I still test each cable to make sure it is good.

It sounds like it might be the driver, but I can't be sure.  Are you certain you have the right COM port?  Whenever I got that error, I had the wrong COM port selected.