Thank you, Mr Puckett, for making this video. I just yesterday received my new pr4 in the mail and got her wired up, and I am so excited to use this. I was told you can do almost every type of programming through this system. I can't wait to find out how to change light settings and motor sounds. Thank you again!
This is a MUST SEE video (amongst all of Larry's videos) if One is to get involved in JMRI Decoder Programming. VERY easy to follow along and cuts out a LOT of confusion for the beginner. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED & STRONGLY Suggested to the newbie in this hobby!
A person who will remain nameless at NCE told me when programming sound decoders you get better results programing on the main rather then a programming track because the signal strength is much higher on the main then the programing track output. Just a heads up if the programing isn't going well. Norm Bell
Yes, that is true. The difference is that on a service mode programming track you are probable seeing about 12 volts or a little less and it is limited to about 500 milliamps. When programming on the main you are using full track voltage and potentially amperage. So if something goes wrong and there is a short you may destroy the decoder unless it has internal short protection. However on the service mode track the power is kept low to prevent permanent damage in case of a short. So I recommend doing initial programming just after a decoder install on the service mode track before placing the loco on the main track. That way you will discover any shorts or wiring mistakes before they damage your new decoder.
I pretty much do things the same way, but after creating the roster entry but before making any changes to the basic tab, I read the sheet. This way the decoder manufacturer and the decoder version will be preloaded and any other basic information will be read in case it happens to be a used decoder. Then I'll make the necessary changes and then write them back to the decoder.
It may depend on the manufacturer. Some use unique id’s for decoders whereas others only id them by generation. Your bet though is try to narrow it down by finding out which company the manufacturer was using. This is often available on their websites of internet forums. If that doesn’t work it becomes trial and error.
I've tried to join the jmri forum a couple times, with no luck. Thought I'd try here. Sometimes when starting my jmri software back up, it takes a half hour or so for my signals and block sensors to start working. Is it better to just leave the program running? Digitrax, se8c, and bpx88 on windows 10.
I have never figured out why it can take so long for JMRI. to start up and get rolling. Sometimes DecoderPro will pop right up after I click the icon and at other times it drones on for ages before actually loading. I don’t know whether it is Windows 10 eating up all the resources in the background or if it is JMRI doing housekeeping. My best advice is to keep all your software and associated drivers up to date, especially Java.
Hi Larry, I have installed Soundtraxx TSU-2200 decoders in some of my loco's, but cannot change the decoder settings CV's, in JMRI Decoder Pro they all come up in a grey box's, both CV 15 and CV16 are 0, any ideas?
Have you been playing with locking the CVs using CVs 30, 15, and 16? If you suspect that then try to procedure in the Tsunami2 manual for unlocking them. Have you tried to read the CVs using a service mode programming track?
@@TheDCCGuy No, have not playing with them, I watched your video series on loading and setting up decoder pro and all my loco's have the same issues, I am using an NCE Power Cab, with an Auto switch and a separate section of track for programming. No, I haven’t read CV from the Power cab as I found it a bit confusing, that why a got the USB interface and setup the computer.
From a trouble shooting perspective it would be good to know whether CVs can be read using the throttle, that way you know whether to look at the decoder or the usb interface, or the DecoderPro preferences. It likely is the preferences but could be the usb. I think NCE now suggests removing all the jumpers for the latest version of DecoderPro.
Yes and no. With programming on the main (POM) you can’t read back CV settings and you are working with full track power. In service mode you can read CVs and track power is limited to prevent damage in case of shorts. Because you use full power PON is often more reliable but you should always test a new installation on the service mode track to prevent damage if there is a short.
When you do the initial in most cases DeciderPro can tell from the CVs which brand it is and in many cases the version. However in some cases this only goes as far as the version number and not the individual decoder type. Fir example this may give you that it is a version 4 Digitrax decoder but not provide specifics as to the number of functions, etc. It is always a good idea therefore to keep a notebook or spreadsheet with the locomotive, decoder type, and specific version. Also don’t throw away your instruction sheets. I recently was able to supply a manufacturer a copy of an instruction booklet from 1997 that the no longer had. As my wife will tell you I throw nothing out!
@@TheDCCGuy Also, I don't understand why the NCE Power Cab is able to identify it enough to program it on its own but the JMRI program cant with the USB connection??
When you use the PowerCab you specify which CV to program or use a limited number of them. So it isn’t a matter of the PowerCab working with a specific decoder instead it is just sending commands of that limited set of basic CVs or ones you specify.
I need to download the latest update so I’ll do it tomorrow and see if I get a warning. I think this is one of those certificate issues. Usually you have the option to bypass the warning and open the file anyway if you know it was downloaded from a trusted site.
OK, I downloaded it today and got the usual question about installing a program from an unknown source, but that always happens so I just clicked yes and it installed fine.
Thank you, Mr Puckett, for making this video. I just yesterday received my new pr4 in the mail and got her wired up, and I am so excited to use this. I was told you can do almost every type of programming through this system. I can't wait to find out how to change light settings and motor sounds.
Thank you again!
Glad I could help.
This is a MUST SEE video (amongst all of Larry's videos) if One is to get involved in JMRI Decoder Programming. VERY easy to follow along and cuts out a LOT of confusion for the beginner. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED & STRONGLY Suggested to the newbie in this hobby!
Well explained and for me these tutorials are a great source of useful information. Great job.
Gracias Larry. Very useful. Daniel from Argentina
A person who will remain nameless at NCE told me when programming sound decoders you get better results programing on the main rather then a programming track because the signal strength is much higher on the main then the programing track output. Just a heads up if the programing isn't going well. Norm Bell
Yes, that is true. The difference is that on a service mode programming track you are probable seeing about 12 volts or a little less and it is limited to about 500 milliamps. When programming on the main you are using full track voltage and potentially amperage. So if something goes wrong and there is a short you may destroy the decoder unless it has internal short protection. However on the service mode track the power is kept low to prevent permanent damage in case of a short. So I recommend doing initial programming just after a decoder install on the service mode track before placing the loco on the main track. That way you will discover any shorts or wiring mistakes before they damage your new decoder.
Thank you Larry! clear, concise and very helpful.
I pretty much do things the same way, but after creating the roster entry but before making any changes to the basic tab, I read the sheet. This way the decoder manufacturer and the decoder version will be preloaded and any other basic information will be read in case it happens to be a used decoder. Then I'll make the necessary changes and then write them back to the decoder.
Thanks Larry. This is very helpful. You are an excellent instructor- you answered the questions almost as I formulated them in head!
Thank You for all the videos
Very useful on programming mode - never heard that explained before! Thanks!
Great explanation of starting with JMRI. Thank you.
Extremely helpful.
What do you do if you don’t know what type of decoder a manuf has installed and the read option returns to many choices?
It may depend on the manufacturer. Some use unique id’s for decoders whereas others only id them by generation. Your bet though is try to narrow it down by finding out which company the manufacturer was using. This is often available on their websites of internet forums. If that doesn’t work it becomes trial and error.
Excellent training videos Larry. Great job. Can you tell me why when I click on the new loco button, nothing happens ?
I've tried to join the jmri forum a couple times, with no luck.
Thought I'd try here.
Sometimes when starting my jmri software back up, it takes a half hour or so for my signals and block sensors to start working.
Is it better to just leave the program running?
Digitrax, se8c, and bpx88 on windows 10.
I have never figured out why it can take so long for JMRI. to start up and get rolling. Sometimes DecoderPro will pop right up after I click the icon and at other times it drones on for ages before actually loading. I don’t know whether it is Windows 10 eating up all the resources in the background or if it is JMRI doing housekeeping. My best advice is to keep all your software and associated drivers up to date, especially Java.
@@TheDCCGuy Sounds like great advice, and good to hear I'm not the only one with that issue
Thanks for the reply.
Can you program The Digitrax TL1 one function decoder for light in the observation pass. car using Decoder Pro?
Never have tried it so I’ll have to look it up n DecoderPro.
Hi Larry,
I have installed Soundtraxx TSU-2200 decoders in some of my loco's, but cannot change the decoder settings CV's, in JMRI Decoder Pro they all come up in a grey box's,
both CV 15 and CV16 are 0,
any ideas?
Have you been playing with locking the CVs using CVs 30, 15, and 16? If you suspect that then try to procedure in the Tsunami2 manual for unlocking them. Have you tried to read the CVs using a service mode programming track?
@@TheDCCGuy No, have not playing with them, I watched your video series on loading and setting up decoder pro and all my loco's have the same issues, I am using an NCE Power Cab, with an Auto switch and a separate section of track for programming.
No, I haven’t read CV from the Power cab as I found it a bit confusing, that why a got the USB interface and setup the computer.
From a trouble shooting perspective it would be good to know whether CVs can be read using the throttle, that way you know whether to look at the decoder or the usb interface, or the DecoderPro preferences. It likely is the preferences but could be the usb. I think NCE now suggests removing all the jumpers for the latest version of DecoderPro.
Is there any difference whether you program on the main or use the program track?
Yes and no. With programming on the main (POM) you can’t read back CV settings and you are working with full track power. In service mode you can read CVs and track power is limited to prevent damage in case of shorts. Because you use full power PON is often more reliable but you should always test a new installation on the service mode track to prevent damage if there is a short.
So how do i figure out what the decoder is if its something I bought and there arent any markings on the decoder that help identify it?
When you do the initial in most cases DeciderPro can tell from the CVs which brand it is and in many cases the version. However in some cases this only goes as far as the version number and not the individual decoder type. Fir example this may give you that it is a version 4 Digitrax decoder but not provide specifics as to the number of functions, etc. It is always a good idea therefore to keep a notebook or spreadsheet with the locomotive, decoder type, and specific version. Also don’t throw away your instruction sheets. I recently was able to supply a manufacturer a copy of an instruction booklet from 1997 that the no longer had. As my wife will tell you I throw nothing out!
@@TheDCCGuy Also, I don't understand why the NCE Power Cab is able to identify it enough to program it on its own but the JMRI program cant with the USB connection??
When you use the PowerCab you specify which CV to program or use a limited number of them. So it isn’t a matter of the PowerCab working with a specific decoder instead it is just sending commands of that limited set of basic CVs or ones you specify.
@@TheDCCGuy Thanks for the information. I guess this set up isn't going to be as helpful as I had hoped. Is there any other program that works better?
Not that I know of unless you are using LokSound decoders with their proprietary LokProgrammer software and hardware.
Windows 10 Keeps telling me that my downloaded file for Decoder Pro can "harm'" you computer. What can I do about that?
I need to download the latest update so I’ll do it tomorrow and see if I get a warning. I think this is one of those certificate issues. Usually you have the option to bypass the warning and open the file anyway if you know it was downloaded from a trusted site.
OK, I downloaded it today and got the usual question about installing a program from an unknown source, but that always happens so I just clicked yes and it installed fine.
I can add new loco's in edit mode though ??
Hell0 dcc guy