Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
Jack,
Anything you connect to the DR5000 can be exported via the USB to any PC program.? Therefore, if you have the DR4088RB (XpressNet) and any LocoNet device connected to the DR5000 they will all work at the same time.? You will just need to adjust your turnouts or sensors in your PC program to match the LocoNet or XpressNet messages.? Whichever one you choose.? I prefer LocoNet.??
You will want to also connect the DR5033 with a LocoNet cable to the LocoNet "B", not the BP bus.? The PB bus is for Roco Boosters.??
Also make sure your device ID's don't overlap each other in number or the number of the outputs.? You need to count up the outputs and then start the next board at a number past the last output number.??
Ryan
|
Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
DCC is an alternating square wave, so there isn't really a polarity as it is alternating back and forth, what matters is that boosters are inphase, which means they are all alternating the same way at the same time.
If it works on a Lenz throttle the booster must be in phase, so it must be something in Train Controller, which I don't use. I use JMRI and have run over four boosters with Lenz, Digitrax and WiFi throttles. We don't have feedback from the boosters, using CD via a DR5039. I use the Lenz detection bus into XN+FB, I'm not 100%, but think that shows up on the Loconet as well.
Mike
|
Re: De sensitise DR4088LN-CS inputs.
Colin, You can reduce the sensitivity of the DR4088 by adding resistors to any or all of the outputs.? Depending on how much you need, you could go from like 300 up to 2000.? I have added some photo examples in the Photo Album.?? /g/Digikeijs/album?id=238410Ryan ?
|
Re: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, SwitchMachine, Roco, Throttle De sensitise DR4088LN-CS inputs.
I helped a chap out with a layout where he was getting all sorts of spurious occupation messages from his DR4088 and the solution was to reduce the cable runs and run as few in parallel as possible. When we required we also use heavier(better?) cable at 16/02 rather than the 7/02 that he had used. This removed all the errors completely. His layout is around 6m end to end and his longest cable runs were 4m and creating bundles of 20+ wires. ? Many Thanks ? Iain Morrison ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: Colin Bennett via Groups.IoSent: 14 January 2020 08:20 To: [email protected]Subject: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, SwitchMachine, Roco, Throttle De sensitise DR4088LN-CS inputs. ? Hi all. ? I am experiencing false triggering of inputs from section tracks furthest from a DR4088 which I suspect is caused by using long lengths of parallel cables using figure 8 wire as Kato Connectors: https://www.osbornsmodels.com/kato-24-825-unitrack-dc-extension-cord-10963-p.asp) ? In some cases I have 3 connected in series making cables 2.5m long. ? Is there any way that the input of DR4088 can be desensitised so that it triggers at a greater current draw that the 2mA that is stated in the manual? ? I do not have an Rrampmeter to determine if any current is drawn in an unoccupied state. ? If I cannot then I will need to split the cables down the centre or add a new DR4088 closer to the offending lengths of track. ? Those connections with only single length of cable are fine. ? Many thanks ? Colin
|
De sensitise DR4088LN-CS inputs.
Hi all.
?
I am experiencing false triggering of inputs from section tracks furthest from a DR4088 which I suspect is caused by using long lengths of parallel cables using figure 8 wire as Kato Connectors:
?
In some cases I have 3 connected in series making cables 2.5m long.
?
Is there any way that the input of DR4088 can be desensitised so that it triggers at a greater current draw that the 2mA that is stated in the manual?
?
I do not have an Rrampmeter to determine if any current is drawn in an unoccupied state.
?
If I cannot then I will need to split the cables down the centre or add a new DR4088 closer to the offending lengths of track.
?
Those connections with only single length of cable are fine.
?
Many thanks
?
Colin
|
Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
Thanks Mike. Yes, you are right of course. I s¡¯pose I was trying to say that my only throttle is a Lenz LH100, block detection is (via a DR 4088RB) connected into the DR5000 at the XN+FB port and so my control of the digital system is setup for Lenz. And I assume by connecting the Booster with a LocoNet cable to the DR500 I will not be able to use the block detection modules or my throttle with the LocoNet, as they are two opposing systems¡. even if I was to change the Comms port that Train Controller is using to run the Layout for computer control. Does that make sense? Also I don¡¯t understand what you mean when you say that they need to be connected in the same phase. Is it that they both must be wired with the same polarity? Sorry not very good at the terminology. As it is, when running trains normally with the Lenz throttle I get no shorts or disruption of any kind when the power districts are crossed. Only when the computer is running the layout do I get a disconnection from Train Controller. I think I am complicating the matter, and will fix all problems when I do away with the sniffer, as first stated, and replace it with a Lenz cable from the B Bus on the Booster to the PB bus on theDR5000 A very helpful group here and I thank all of you for replying to my problem. I think I will be back many times in the future.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 14 Jan 2020, at 1:36 am, Mike via Groups.Io < mike_rby@...> wrote:
It doesn't matter what system set an accessory or loco address, it is just a number not system related.
I connect to the DR5000 by the USB port, that gives a Lenz, Loconet and DR5000 connection, I find that say a turnout programmed as 5 will respond to a Lenz XT5 JMRI command or LT5 Loconet JMRI command. Also responds to 5 on a Lenz throttle and I would expect 5 on a Digitrax throttle.
Are the two booster outputs connected the in same phase? If not a short will happen as a loco crosses the district boundary.
Mike
|
Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
It doesn't matter what system set an accessory or loco address, it is just a number not system related.
I connect to the DR5000 by the USB port, that gives a Lenz, Loconet and DR5000 connection, I find that say a turnout programmed as 5 will respond to a Lenz XT5 JMRI command or LT5 Loconet JMRI command. Also responds to 5 on a Lenz throttle and I would expect 5 on a Digitrax throttle.
Are the two booster outputs connected the in same phase? If not a short will happen as a loco crosses the district boundary.
Mike
|
Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
Thank you for replying so quickly gentlemen. Iain, I am using the sniffer because I initially had a Lenz system (before computer) and and so all my loco & turnout addresses/ connections to the computer are now Lenz.? I don¡¯t have a 4p4c (Lenz) connector lead to connect the DR500 to the booster at the moment, so I used the sniffer.? However when I do connect the DR500 to the booster with the supplied loconet cable the DR 5000 does not recognize it or see it in the DR 5000 app. ?But you are correct, I have not run the trains with the layout connected to the computer as a loconet system, so I will try to reorganize things and do so as soon as I can. Failing that, I assume if I got a lenz lead and connected the booster and the DR500 that way then things would work also.. Thank you greatly for your advise, it has helped me no end? And James, I will get rid of the sniffer, thank you for replying and setting me straight.? It¡¯s good to know I am not going completely mad. ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 12 Jan 2020, at 4:04 pm, Iain Morrison <w.iain.morrison@...> wrote:
?
Why are you using the sniffer bus? If you connect the DR5033 as shown in the manual then it will work.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
From: [email protected] on behalf of Jack <tozer@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2020 12:48 am
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
?
Hello everyone,
My layout uses a Digikeijs DR500 controller with a DR5033 Booster and I can be controlled with Train Controller software .
I have recently split my layout into two power districts with the DR5000 as the main controller powering one district and the DR5033 as the power supply for the second.
I am using the sniffer capabilities of both units to connect the system together.
When using the Digikeijs System only (ie: not under the control of Train Controller) to run the layout everything seems fine. BUT......
I have a couple of questions if I may.?
1) Now, when the Locos travel across the insulated rail gaps separating the two districts, 9 times out of ten Train controller detects a hardware problem and disconnects from the layout. Thus leaving the trains running with no system control.
2) Not that I think I need to change any parameters, but when connecting the DR5000 to the DR5033 by a loconet cable & on opening the Dr5000 app there is no Booster showing up.It seems that the DR5000 does not know it is there.
I have tried to change the Voltage input into both the DR5000 & the DR5033 to have the layout rails from the two districts reading the same Voltage.
Maybe the two problems are connected. Or maybe the sniffer is the problem.
I have tried to understand the logging text coming thu on the app when it is open and the trains cross the districts but cannot understand it enough to see any little glitch, if there is one to see.
I'm not sure anyone here is running the same system as me, but could enlighten me as to a probable cause for the interruption of signal to the Computer as the train crosses the two power districts.
Pease don't hesitate to ask any further questions if needed.
Thank for taking the time to consider my conundrum.
Cheers Jack
|
Re: DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
Why are you using the sniffer bus? If you connect the DR5033 as shown in the manual then it will work.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] on behalf of Jack <tozer@...>
Sent: Sunday, January 12, 2020 12:48 am
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
?
Hello everyone,
My layout uses a Digikeijs DR500 controller with a DR5033 Booster and I can be controlled with Train Controller software .
I have recently split my layout into two power districts with the DR5000 as the main controller powering one district and the DR5033 as the power supply for the second.
I am using the sniffer capabilities of both units to connect the system together.
When using the Digikeijs System only (ie: not under the control of Train Controller) to run the layout everything seems fine. BUT......
I have a couple of questions if I may.?
1) Now, when the Locos travel across the insulated rail gaps separating the two districts, 9 times out of ten Train controller detects a hardware problem and disconnects from the layout. Thus leaving the trains running with no system control.
2) Not that I think I need to change any parameters, but when connecting the DR5000 to the DR5033 by a loconet cable & on opening the Dr5000 app there is no Booster showing up.It seems that the DR5000 does not know it is there.
I have tried to change the Voltage input into both the DR5000 & the DR5033 to have the layout rails from the two districts reading the same Voltage.
Maybe the two problems are connected. Or maybe the sniffer is the problem.
I have tried to understand the logging text coming thu on the app when it is open and the trains cross the districts but cannot understand it enough to see any little glitch, if there is one to see.
I'm not sure anyone here is running the same system as me, but could enlighten me as to a probable cause for the interruption of signal to the Computer as the train crosses the two power districts.
Pease don't hesitate to ask any further questions if needed.
Thank for taking the time to consider my conundrum.
Cheers Jack
|
DR5033, Sniffer, & Train Controller
Hello everyone,
My layout uses a Digikeijs DR5000 controller with a DR5033 Booster and I can be controlled with Train Controller software .
I have recently split my layout into two power districts with the DR5000 as the main controller powering one district and the DR5033 as the power supply for the second.
I am using the sniffer capabilities of both units to connect the system together.
When using the Digikeijs System only (ie: not under the control of Train Controller) to run the layout everything seems fine. BUT......
I have a couple of questions if I may.?
1) Now, when the Locos travel across the insulated rail gaps separating the two districts, 9 times out of ten Train controller detects a hardware problem and disconnects from the layout. Thus leaving the trains running with no system control.
2) Not that I think I need to change any parameters, but when connecting the DR5000 to the DR5033 by a loconet cable & on opening the Dr5000 app there is no Booster showing up.It seems that the DR5000 does not know it is there.
I have tried to change the Voltage input into both the DR5000 & the DR5033 to have the layout rails from the two districts reading the same Voltage.
Maybe the two problems are connected. Or maybe the sniffer is the problem.
I have tried to understand the logging text coming thru on the app when it is open and the trains cross the districts but cannot understand it enough to see any little glitch, if there is one to see.
I'm not sure anyone here is running the same system as me, but could enlighten me as to a probable cause for the interruption of signal to the Computer as the train crosses the two power districts.
Please don't hesitate to ask any further questions if needed.
Thank for taking the time to consider my conundrum.
Cheers Jack
|
Re: Trying to program DR4018 from NCE PH Pro
Thanks Dennis and Chris,
I have now been able to throw a switch so I am on my way.? Guess I will give up on the programming?track and just use the main.
(If I understand the programming track in DCC, there is no address.? Whatever is on the programming track gets programmed.? That is what I meant about the 9999.? ?Makes sense on the main but not on the prog track.? I think )
Tony -- Sent from my desktop Windows PC
|
Re: Trying to program DR4018 from NCE PH Pro
|
Re: Trying to program DR4018 from NCE PH Pro
Hi Tony
I know nothing about NCE but in terms of the 9999 loco, this is needed to program CVs. Just like when you set up a loco decoder you send CV values to a particular address, you must do this with the 4018.
But if you are only setting the start address you don't need the 9999 address, just send a turnout/switch command.
Chris
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 07/01/2020 21:44, tonyvink1@... wrote: Hi,
I am having trouble programming my DR4018.? Every attempt at reading CVs fail.? Tried to read CV7, CV8.? ?I have the following hardware.
- NCE PH Pro 5 Amp DCC power
- Atlas N scale turnouts
- I have wired 4018 power and signal together and attached to my programming track.
- Also added a 170 ohm resistor between out 1 and C on the first device block
I followed the procedure (section 3.3 in manual) for programming track programming except for the LOCO 9999 address.? ( A DCC programming track does not have the concept of "address" so I don't understand that step )
Also tried the workaround in section 3.6 of the manual.? ( don't know it that applies since the green LED glows on the programming?track as long as I am in programming mode )? Anyway since the workaround did not need the LOCO address 9999 I tried it.? The red LED did come on when I moved to the programming track but still cant program.
I have tried too many goofy things to list here but nothing seems to work.
Hope someone has experience with NCE command stations and can suggest a way to program with it.
Thanks,
Tony
--
Chris
|
Trying to program DR4018 from NCE PH Pro
Hi,
?
I am having trouble programming my DR4018.? Every attempt at reading CVs fail.? Tried to read CV7, CV8.? ?I have the following hardware.
?
- NCE PH Pro 5 Amp DCC power
- Atlas N scale turnouts
- I have wired 4018 power and signal together and attached to my programming track.
- Also added a 170 ohm resistor between out 1 and C on the first device block
?
I followed the procedure (section 3.3 in manual) for programming track programming except for the LOCO 9999 address.? ( A DCC programming track does not have the concept of "address" so I don't understand that step )
Also tried the workaround in section 3.6 of the manual.? ( don't know it that applies since the green LED glows on the programming?track as long as I am in programming mode )? Anyway since the workaround did not need the LOCO address 9999 I tried it.? The red LED did come on when I moved to the programming track but still cant program.
?
I have tried too many goofy things to list here but nothing seems to work.??
Hope someone has experience with NCE command stations and can suggest a way to program with it.
Thanks,
Tony
|
Update on the Throttle App Document
Now includes the links for downloading the Apps.
/g/Digikeijs/files/Throttles/Throttle%20APP%20Document
|
Re: New Document uploaded
Improved the DR5033 Options manual with help from Jay Lennox.?
Added how to increase the power on delay after a short on the track.
Also corrected the CV3 Values.
Dennis
|
Re: New Document uploaded
Dennis
Thank you for creating this document.? We have been experimenting with the DR5033 options at our model railway club based on reading what is in the standard DR5033? documentation for the CVs.
We had discovered that by setting bit 4 of CV 3 to 0 (zero) we could prevent a short detected by the booster in its power district from shutting down the entire layout - only the power district handled by the booster shut down and the rest of the layout remained operational.
We further started to use the automatic short reset capability built into the booster.? This is controlled by CV 3 bit 2 which we have set to 0 (zero) (bit 2 says: Booster sends no 'GPON/GPOFF' report, even when there is a short circuit. The automatic short circuit repair is active).
So right now CV 3 has a value of 72 on our one DR5033 - more boosters are being installed in the coming weeks.
The default short reset time is 750 ms (3/4 of a second).? We think this is a little to quick - we expect many of a shorts to be due to running a turnout that is set against you, and experience will prove or disprove?this over the next few months.? Realizing you have a short, finding the cause and correcting it is most likely going to take more than 3/4 of a second so we have modified the time to turn the track power on automatically to be 3 seconds by setting a value of 1000 in CV 11 (CV 11 says:?Turn on automatically following a short circuit in 3 ms steps).? We will adjust this value up or down as we get more experience - the initial value of 3 was chosen based on a quick survey of how fast other manufactures boosters reset after a short.
Hope this helps others and perhaps some of it can be added to the DR5033 Option Settings Document.
Thanks.
|
Re: Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
Thanks Iain - great help! XR
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 4 Dec 2019, at 11:46, Iain Morrison <w.iain.morrison@...> wrote:
?
John
I have used VMWare Fusion And Parallels in the past to get Windows running on a Mac. Last time was for my daughter to runs MS Software on her MacBook in college and it worked perfectly.
Easier than dual booting as you have all your Mac stuff available at the same time.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
From: [email protected] on behalf of John Critchley <john.critchley.home@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2019 11:40 am
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
?
It¡¯s a very valid point you make @Iain - didn¡¯t expect anything - just making the comment it would be nice - I¡¯m looking into a dual boot Mac as we speak - that maybe my ticket to nirvana JC
XR
On 6 Oct 2019, at 15:45, Iain Morrison <w.iain.morrison@...> wrote:
?
Given that the great majority of their customers use Microsoft Windows they sensibly put their efforts into supporting those users - of course we could ask them to support all the other operating systems and then watch the price of
the items skyrocket as they support and maintain multiple versions of the product for a very small user base.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
From: [email protected] on behalf of tony.pemberton.cowroast@...
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2019 3:08 pm
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
?
Thanks for the pointer Dennis. I think the page is suitable for Debian Buster and there are a lot of options that I hadn't seen before as I was looking solely at the winehq web pages.
I will be sticking to the amd64 version (as opposed to ARM based systems used to control my layout software) for Wine so that should avoid architecture conflicts. That said the multiarch option is needed for i386/ 32 bit software.
I will try some things out and hopefully get a screenshot of the errors which may be helpful.
I just wish Digikeijs had Linux (and presumably MacOS) versions for those not wedded to Microsoft.
|
Re: Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
I'd certainly include linux in that wishlist. Just think how easy/cheap it is to use a Raspberry Pi to be a dedicated layout computer.
On 04/12/2019 08:15, John Critchley wrote:
It would be great if the DR5000 config program was available for Mac, IOS or Android
Pro
On 3 Dec 2019, at 22:50, tony.pemberton.cowroast@... wrote:
For Information only.
After a pause, I have been reinvestigating running DR5000 V1.5.5 in Debian Linux using WINE. So far, I have the DR5000 image displayed in the 'windows' box but there are many errors which freeze progress.
The DR5000 program uses Plug and Play to enumerate the USB ports. Unfortunately WINE stable release does not yet implement PnP. PnP for WINE is in the development branch so I will check that out soon.
It is also likely that the DR5000 app will have to run in a 32 bit WINE environment due to incomplete 64 bit implementation but that is not a serious issue.
Looks like I shall have to continue using vulnerable Win7 after Jan 2020 - I refuse to pay a 'Windows tax' especially as Win10 harvests too much personal stuff. As does social media.
@Iain Morrison, I am not asking Digikeijs to provide software for other OS's but I beg to suggest there are more Android and Apple users who cannot get Digikeijs apps from their app stores for their iPads, iPhones and Chromebooks.
|
Re: Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
John
I have used VMWare Fusion And Parallels in the past to get Windows running on a Mac. Last time was for my daughter to runs MS Software on her MacBook in college and it worked perfectly.
Easier than dual booting as you have all your Mac stuff available at the same time.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] on behalf of John Critchley <john.critchley.home@...>
Sent: Wednesday, December 4, 2019 11:40 am
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
?
It¡¯s a very valid point you make @Iain - didn¡¯t expect anything - just making the comment it would be nice - I¡¯m looking into a dual boot Mac as we speak - that maybe my ticket to nirvana JC
XR
On 6 Oct 2019, at 15:45, Iain Morrison <w.iain.morrison@...> wrote:
?
Given that the great majority of their customers use Microsoft Windows they sensibly put their efforts into supporting those users - of course we could ask them to support all the other operating systems and then watch the price of
the items skyrocket as they support and maintain multiple versions of the product for a very small user base.
Iain Morrison
07767 456746
?
From: [email protected] on behalf of tony.pemberton.cowroast@...
Sent: Sunday, October 6, 2019 3:08 pm
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Digikeijs], JMRI, Rocrail, Itrain, Walthers, Tortise, Cobalt, Switch Machine, Roco, Throttle Linux and DR5000/5088/5052 configuration apps?
?
Thanks for the pointer Dennis. I think the page is suitable for Debian Buster and there are a lot of options that I hadn't seen before as I was looking solely at the winehq web pages.
I will be sticking to the amd64 version (as opposed to ARM based systems used to control my layout software) for Wine so that should avoid architecture conflicts. That said the multiarch option is needed for i386/ 32 bit software.
I will try some things out and hopefully get a screenshot of the errors which may be helpful.
I just wish Digikeijs had Linux (and presumably MacOS) versions for those not wedded to Microsoft.
|
Iron Planet Hobbies
John Critchley