when i open panel pro, ?i get a pop up headed “Duplicate panel name” on top of the layout screen. ?This never used to happen. ?Something is wrong can you describe the steps to remove this popup

thanks

Terry

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Is there a support community for DCC4PC somewhere?

The usual problem for esoteric hardware like this is that the JMRI support was originally coded by just one person who had detailed knowledge of the hardware, but then that person moves on and nobody knows enough about how the hardware works to pick up support.

The code, including the history of all the changes, is available here:

Somebody who has hardware to test the problem could use `git bisect` to figure out exactly which change to the software caused the problem:

Bob

On Jul 28, 2019, at 3:48 AM, ardmay via Groups.Io <ardmay@...> wrote:

Is anyone aware that support for the DCC4PC railcom reader doesn't work anymore in jmri! After testing some passed releases it seems to work all but slow refreshing up to release 4.12. Later releases don't work and looking at the dcc4pc monitor within jmri it seems that jmri can't read the input file from the hardware. I've tried reporting this but to no avail. The suggestion that jmri supports dcc4pc railcom reader hardware is misleading and maybe the option to select this hardware in the preferences connections pane should be taken away to protect people from investing in hardware that is no longer supported by jmri.

Michael Smith

--
Bob Jacobsen
rgj1927@...

A basic R/C servo is a machine that uses force to reach a particular set position against any fixed or variable resistance.? It's not specifically designed to be appropriate or convenient for model railway turnout throw bar applications.

If you set the servo position to end with the points 0.001" away from the stock rail, it will stop pushing entirely at that point. If you set the position to 0.001" past the stock rail, it will continuously try to reach that position with all the force (and current draw) it can provide.? This mismatch can be compensated by placing a soft spring between the servo output and the throw bar and setting the servo position to slightly over throw the turnout in both directions. Otherwise the turnout construction is required to be strong enough to withstand the repeated full force of the servo, as well as being a realistic model.

However in order to correctly set the position for a particular servo mounting , it is most preferable to have the setting controls to hand where you can closely observe the throw bar setting movement. This implies, to me at least, that the setting controls are mobile.

One sobering thought is that all this extra technology can be saved for model railway applications by merely pulling the electronics out of the servo and driving the motor L or R directly. Again something that is simpler to operate by an on/off bit output from JMRI controlled hardware. It also implies that a servo without electronics should be somewhat cheaper than a servo with electronics. But the actual landed cost of servos in the West has a lot to do with mass production and overseas lower wages. Which is something that cannot necessarily be counted on indefinitely.

Andy


On 7/28/2019 6:29 AM, bluetobits wrote:

I use servos to control turnouts on my DCC++ layout.
It's not really practical to hack the DCC++ code to produce outputs that can be directly connected to servos without compromising the DCC timing. - at least it's way beyond my programming skills!
The outputs from the mega can be soft and hard patched to inputs on one or more separate Arduinos. It is theoretically possible to control 10 servos with one arduino pro mini or nano, but it really helps to be able to calibrate the maximum and minimum throw of the servo for the open and closed turnout positions. To do this will require a potentiometer input, and a? calibrate button, perhaps an LED to signify calibration mode and pot wiper position, this will leave (say ) 8 inputs (say D11,D12 and A1-A6) from the mega and 8 turnouts (D2 to D9), Calibration Switch (D10) ,Calibration pot wiper (A0) & LED (D13). The Arduino sketch needs to scan inputs from the DCC++ mega, change position value for any that have changed, and output that change to the servo. Pressing the calibrate button allows the position value for the last servo moved to be re-set by changing the pot value.. The sketch would need to write all values to eeprom so they can be loaded on power-up in the setup routine.? Of course there are plenty of opportunities for refinements.? I am happy to upload a mini tutorial, sketch and wiring diags if you would like to try it. (at ?3 per arduino and ?1.50 per servo it's not really expensive)
Steve 009 in UK

---
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.

I use servos to control turnouts on my DCC++ layout.
It's not really practical to hack the DCC++ code to produce outputs that can be directly connected to servos without compromising the DCC timing. - at least it's way beyond my programming skills!
The outputs from the mega can be soft and hard patched to inputs on one or more separate Arduinos. It is theoretically possible to control 10 servos with one arduino pro mini or nano, but it really helps to be able to calibrate the maximum and minimum throw of the servo for the open and closed turnout positions. To do this will require a potentiometer input, and a? calibrate button, perhaps an LED to signify calibration mode and pot wiper position, this will leave (say ) 8 inputs (say D11,D12 and A1-A6) from the mega and 8 turnouts (D2 to D9), Calibration Switch (D10) ,Calibration pot? wiper (A0) & LED (D13). The Arduino sketch needs to scan inputs from the DCC++ mega, change position value for any that have changed, and output that change to the servo. Pressing the calibrate button allows the position value for the last servo moved to be re-set by changing the pot value.. The sketch would need to write all values to eeprom so they can be loaded on power-up in the setup routine.? Of course there are plenty of opportunities for refinements.? I am happy to upload a mini tutorial, sketch and wiring diags if you would like to try it. (at ?3 per arduino and ?1.50 per servo it's not really expensive)?
Steve 009 in UK

Hi.
Just a thought. I'm no expert and I haven't tried this exact scenario, but I have used similar workarounds myself. It may work trying to? create a new block just before the before the platform turnout with virtual signal masts controlling entrance to this new block. The signal mast logic would need editing to protect this block only if both platforms were occupied? (perhaps using? a virtual sensor and logix). The train would stop at the signal and wait before entering the block, presumably before before triggering the pop-up message box. It? would only then proceed after one of the platforms became clear, negating the popup.

--
Steve 009 in UK

Hi
Give the second one an internal address. Then edit the first one from the layout panel to also throw the internal.
Steve G.

--
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Is anyone aware that support for the DCC4PC railcom reader doesn't work anymore in jmri! After? testing some passed releases it seems to work all but slow refreshing up to release 4.12. Later? releases don't work and looking at the dcc4pc monitor within jmri it seems that jmri can't read the input file from the hardware. I've tried reporting this but to no avail. The suggestion that jmri supports dcc4pc railcom reader hardware is misleading and maybe the option to select this hardware in the preferences connections pane should be taken away to protect people from investing in hardware that is no longer supported by jmri.

Michael Smith

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Renton

I am using Cobalt SS point motors which allows two point motors to be operated simultaneously with the same address. When I have tried to add points to the JMRI control panel on my Mac I can add the first post and control ok. However when I then try to add the second point and give it the same address I get an error warning that the address is already being used. I can control both points on the layout together clicking on the first point but I have no animation of the second point on the panel. Is there a way of doing this?

You will need the custom serial cable for the collection.
We have our backup EasyDCC as programming track at the club. (Along with a SPROG, a Digitraxx DS50, and a Lokprogrammer)
You might think about using a SPROG. No booster needed, just separate track section. Almost the price of the PTB-100, and lets you avoid ghosting when programming. As in, start programming and all throttles stop working. Not good in a club where others are running, and start to panic. ( And yell at you!)

Thomas
DeSoto, TX

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Don

If you have the latest Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 you do NOT need the PTB 100. Easydcc has NO problems programming the higher numbers.

My system uses the 1998 Command Station with the V629 firmware.

To program the old Tsunami you can use the PTB 100 but the PowerPax unit works better with the older Command Station.

Gerry

I hope this will be an easy question to answer.

I'm about to get my first SoundTraxx decoder. I have an EasyDCC system, with the kit built command station and upgrade from long ago that converted it to four digit addresses. Is anyone else using this combination? Will Decoder Pro work through my EasyDCC command station equipped with a SoundTraxx PTB-100 to program sound CVs, with CV numbers over 100, and a few over 200?

Don Weigt
Connecticut, USA

-- 
Gerry Hopkins MMR #177 FNMRA
Great Northern Downunder




NMRA Australasian Region
Contest & AP Chairman
Web Administrator

I hope this will be an easy question to answer.

I'm about to get my first SoundTraxx decoder. I have an EasyDCC system, with the kit built command station and upgrade from long ago that converted it to four digit addresses. Is anyone else using this combination? Will Decoder Pro work through my EasyDCC command station equipped with a SoundTraxx PTB-100 to program sound CVs, with CV numbers over 100, and a few over 200?

Don Weigt
Connecticut, USA

Disclaimer: I know nothing about jmrix stuff and don’t have CMRI so I am using bluetooth as a stand-in.

I am able to get the baud rate in the startup messages to match the baud rate in the profile.xml file. Since I have no way to actually test anything, I cannot verify my fix but it makes sense to me. It might not even be a valid fix but should provide a clue to someone knowledgeable in this area.

Dave Sand

Thanks to everyone for the help and responses.? ?As I mentioned, a new USB version is on the way and hopefully I'll be back in business in no time.

? -Gerry

Thanks, Dick.? I spoke with your wife this afternoon and ordered a "real" USB version.? Since I bought the one I have in 2006, as your wife said, "You sure got your money's worth out of it."? Indeed I did.

So we'll see how it goes with the new one!

? -Gerry

PS? She told me the "stop an elephant from charging" story.? Perceptive granddaughter!

Nelson,

Could you copy/paste the contents of the profile/profile.xml file? In some
cases the xml gets saved but the baud rate is "" meaning blank, which means
it uses the default rate. If you have tried changing the baud rate and
saving the preferences, does it change the baud rate in the profile.xml
file?

-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
www.jmri.org
www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org
www.cnymod.com
www.syracusemodelrr.org

Hi Dave,

Thank you for being available to answer questions and help with problems. I have 3 panels as a single file that I load. I separated them and was able to isolate which panel was the problem. Fortunately I was able to load an older version of the problem panel and all is working.?

The first time I set up my layout with JMRI several years ago I made many learning errors and so am now in the process of redoing everything. Making sure notes and documentation are in order.?

Gary Ratay

Oh and yes I tried the work-a-rounds.