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Re: No feedback with Digitrax DCS240
Long story: a LocoNet cable can be thought of as three pairs: *) Two ground wires - lots of hardware connect those together, they¡¯re basically the same *) Two Rail-sync wires - these carry _opposite_ signals representing the DCC track signal. In some cases, things will work if these carry DC power (+ on one, - on the other). The DCC signal is used by block detectors to understand what they see; DC power (or the DCC signal) is used by e.g. throttles to provide their power *) And two LocoNet signals sometimes called L+ and L-. These are the _same_ signal, not opposites. Some command stations drive just one; some drive both. (Most) LocoNet devices look at just one. To make sure that both are available, some devices (typically throttles) short them together. Yes, there are a lot of cases there. Digitrax recommends a way of wiring the cables that keeps all this straight. ¡°Phone style¡± cables switch left-and-right in the cable from end to end, so swap each of those pairs (Rail-synch + to -, L+ to L-) That can cause problems if *) You have BDL168¡¯s configured in various ways. There¡¯s an op switch there that tells it to swap them back. *) Or if nothing on the layout is shorting L+ and L- together, as then some boards will be looking at the LocoNet line that¡¯s the wrong one (the one not driven by the command station) If you¡¯re seeing all 4 LEDs lit, then that last one isn¡¯t the case; that indicates that both LocoNet wires have a signal. So that¡¯s not it. But the first can still be true. You might not be seeing reports from BDL168s due to this. But your PM4s should still be reporting. Bob
I know for sure I had a couple cables test with four LED's and no throttle connected. In my tired mind I think I figured three is good four is better and didn't give it much extra though since Digitrax didn't say anything in their write up about four lights and no throttle.
So that being said, if Digitrax didn't mention anything about four lights no throttle is the above information accurate? And, why can I run things just fine but the feedback is messed up? My thinking would say that nothing should work with shorted LocoNet.
-- Bob Jacobsen rgj1927@...
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Re: Question about Operations scenario with alternate tracks
Gary,
Are you trying to get every train to work the alternate track or the industries?
Matt G?
Cascade Rwy
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Re: Question about Operations scenario with alternate tracks
The way freight needs to have access to the spur, if the spur is full, the alternate track will be used.
Dan
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Re: dcs50 error code 306 time out talking to computer
I have a DCS 100 with PR3X WIN 10 running JMRI 4.14xxx Java 1.8 on COM 5 USB 2.0, I find that PR3 will revert to stand alone programming mode and have to toggle back to program track. Set up with WIN 10 is not easy followed all steps on JMRI and? big help also used soundloader for final setup, everything works great until the nut on the keyboard comes loose.
Bob Campisi?
On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 8:52 AM davethomas1359 via Groups.Io <davethomas1359= [email protected]> wrote:
I had thatsetup and problems you cited. It was solved with a Raspberry Pi !
On Friday, August 16, 2019, 09:38:37 AM GMT-4, Phil in gorgeous Young Harris via Groups.Io <philabernathy= [email protected]> wrote:
I have a Zephyr DCS50 also, and I use a Digitrax PR3 connected by LocoNet cable to my Zephyr, and a USB cable to my PC.?
In my JMRI preferences, I had to set the System manufacturer (Digitrax), the System Connection (PR3), the Serial Port (COM4, for one of my PCs, COM9 on another), and Command Station (DCS50 (Zephyr)).? If the Serial Port was not working, JMRI would show that it was not talking to that port, and would expect a different port to be selected (and it showed suggestions as to which Port).
Port selection seems to be the most common problem, and it depends on your System Connection.? The PR3 and Windows has a history of issues on this board, but you did not say which interface you are using. The Digitrax PR4 as well as the LocoBuffer work differently (and I don't have either).
For the PR3, but most Win10 installs do not require any extra drivers to be installed, but exceptions seem to be the rule for Windows.
Reply back to the Board as to what your System Connection and Preferences are set to, and more help may be available.
Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA
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Re: dcs50 error code 306 time out talking to computer
I had thatsetup and problems you cited. It was solved with a Raspberry Pi !
On Friday, August 16, 2019, 09:38:37 AM GMT-4, Phil in gorgeous Young Harris via Groups.Io <philabernathy@...> wrote:
I have a Zephyr DCS50 also, and I use a Digitrax PR3 connected by LocoNet cable to my Zephyr, and a USB cable to my PC.?
In my JMRI preferences, I had to set the System manufacturer (Digitrax), the System Connection (PR3), the Serial Port (COM4, for one of my PCs, COM9 on another), and Command Station (DCS50 (Zephyr)).? If the Serial Port was not working, JMRI would show that it was not talking to that port, and would expect a different port to be selected (and it showed suggestions as to which Port).
Port selection seems to be the most common problem, and it depends on your System Connection.? The PR3 and Windows has a history of issues on this board, but you did not say which interface you are using. The Digitrax PR4 as well as the LocoBuffer work differently (and I don't have either).
For the PR3, but most Win10 installs do not require any extra drivers to be installed, but exceptions seem to be the rule for Windows.
Reply back to the Board as to what your System Connection and Preferences are set to, and more help may be available.
Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA
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Re: dcs50 error code 306 time out talking to computer
I have a Zephyr DCS50 also, and I use a Digitrax PR3 connected by LocoNet cable to my Zephyr, and a USB cable to my PC.?
In my JMRI preferences, I had to set the System manufacturer (Digitrax), the System Connection (PR3), the Serial Port (COM4, for one of my PCs, COM9 on another), and Command Station (DCS50 (Zephyr)).? If the Serial Port was not working, JMRI would show that it was not talking to that port, and would expect a different port to be selected (and it showed suggestions as to which Port).
Port selection seems to be the most common problem, and it depends on your System Connection.? The PR3 and Windows has a history of issues on this board, but you did not say which interface you are using. The Digitrax PR4 as well as the LocoBuffer work differently (and I don't have either).
For the PR3, but most Win10 installs do not require any extra drivers to be installed, but exceptions seem to be the rule for Windows.
Reply back to the Board as to what your System Connection and Preferences are set to, and more help may be available.
Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA
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Dave,
Thanks for the Dropbox tutorial. I checked Dropbox preferences and it must have defaulted to checking "Start Dropbox on system startup" on initial app install.? BTW the windows 10 computer worked exactly the same way, Dropbox will start on system startup.
One (hopefully) last question - if you reread my post #162851 in this thread I asked a question about whether simply redirecting User Files Location within the JMRI app (Edit>Preferences) would mean that all other file location preferences listed on the left hand side of the?Preferences window?would follow suit once User Files location was changed and saved.? I saw file locations listed when I clicked?on?Roster and Config Profiles, and Jython was listed as a separate location on the File Locations pane.? From the last paragraph of your further Dropbox explanation (post #162850) I suspect this is the case for Roster, and no I have never manually changed Roster location so a reset is not required.? I just wasn't sure if Jython, Config Profiles, and all the other files the JMRI app needs would require manual redirecting too.
So based on what I think you're telling me, in DecoderPro app under Edit>Preferences, click on file locations, hit the set button to change User Files Location to the Dropbox folder on the computer, hit save on the lower left corner of the pane, close the Preferences window (no restart of the app) and everything is good to go.? Correct?
Thanks again for all your help and patience Dave
Tim
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Re: JMRI 4.17.3 Java error
Thank's for the reply Dave no I do not use third party web sights to download Decoder Pro and I will try your suggestion
David Brown?
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Question about Operations scenario with alternate tracks
I have a question about a common ops scenario that I would like OperationsPro to facilitate, but I haven't figured out how to yet.? ?So I come here for advice. I have 3 towns in sequence: A, B, C.? Towns A and C have yards while town B has 7 spurs and a siding.? The siding has been designated as an Alternate Track for the 7 spurs to handle off spots (it is categorized as a yard track). The spurs in B are served by a Turn that follows a route A>B>A (and only that route) and that works fine.? Now I would like to add a way freight that follows a route A>B>C, and which can spot cars for B on the siding there, to later be spotted by the Turn.? However, when I try to build the way freight, I never get any work for it at B, despite having several suitable cars available in yard A.? Here is the snippet of the build report that I don't understand:
? ?Find destinations for (NAHX 516177) type (Co Hop Grain) load (L<oad>) at (A?yard, UP A1 / BNSF D1 (2506))
? ? Searching location (B) route id (25r2) for possible destination?
? ? Can't send (NAHX 516177) directly to alternate yard (Siding)?
? ? Can't set out (NAHX 516177) by route (A-B-C) to spur (BB)
? ?etc.
In my reading of this, the last line tells me that a direct spot is not possible because the route A-B-C is not able to serve this spur (even though the car/load is suitable for it), which is what I expect.? But the prior line confuses me: I thought the way freight should be able to spot the car at the siding as an "inbound" car, later to be spotted by the Turn, so I don't understand the logic that precludes that.? Perhaps I am misreading the following two sentences in the Alternate Track documentation: "The program refers to these cars as "inbound" to the spur/industry. For a car to be "inbound" is has to be transported by trains that don't directly service the spur/industry."
Thanks in advance,
Gary
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Tim, On 16 Aug 2019, at 1:47 PM, Tim Lux <timlux33@...> wrote:
Dave, I saw your further explanation after I sent my first reply. My only problem is I cannot find on the Dropbox app where to enable the checkbox for it to start at login. I went through all settings on the app, and an autostart was never mentioned. My apologies. I mainly use Mac and the checkbox is on the Preferences->General pane, and a similar location on Linux. I just checked Windows 7 now and it's also on the Preferences->General pane. It actually says "Start Dropbox on system startup" and you access Preferences by clicking on your initials at the top right corner of the pane you get when you click on the Dropbox icon in the System Tray/Notification area in the taskbar. Dave in Australia
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Re: dcs50 error code 306 time out talking to computer
I'm using Win10 pro with v4.16jmri
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Layout Editor panel orientation
I've created several panels with the layout editor and am very happy with the functionality that they provide. However, there is one aspect that seems to cause me a problem when I start: what orientation to use for the panel?
If a layout is viewed from more than one side, then the panel needs to respect the panel viewer's perspective so that they can 'get their bearings'. However, the operator using the panel may have a different perspective...
In theory this could be accommodated by creating a different panel using the same track features for each perspective. However, this does not appear to be possible with Layout Editor since if would create incompatible/duplicate track 'connections'. I think it would be possible with the Panel Editor, but I've not much experience with that and prefer the ease of use and look and feel of Layout Editor panels.
Is it possible to do anything akin to the rotation capabilities for image handling would be ideal such as 'flip vertical', or rotate, but to apply it to the whole panel rather than just single items?
Regards
Andy
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dcs50 error code 306 time out talking to computer
i have tried everything to get dp to read my dcs50 but just keeps giving 306 error.
Please advise how to make the Zephyr work?
thank you
ted
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Re: No feedback with Digitrax DCS240
I may have found a possible problem.. correct me if I'm wrong.?
This PDF: ?page 9 has the following diagram:
?
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The outside Rail-sync LEDs should always light, and either one of the two inside LEDs should light
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LEDs 1, 2 and 4 should light.
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LEDs 1, 3 and 4 should light.
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Both LocoNet + and ¨C shorted (Note)
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Any Other LocoNet Device Connected
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I know for sure I had a couple cables test with four LED's and no throttle connected. In my tired mind I think I figured three is good four is better and didn't give it much extra though since Digitrax didn't say anything in their write up about four lights and no throttle.?
So that being said, if Digitrax didn't mention anything about four lights no throttle is the above information accurate? And, why can I run things just fine but the feedback is messed up? My thinking would say that nothing should work with shorted LocoNet.?
Wayne
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Dave, I saw your further explanation after I sent my first reply.? My only problem is I cannot find on the Dropbox app where to enable the checkbox for it to start at login.? I went through all settings on the app, and an autostart was never mentioned.
Thanks again,
Tim
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THANK YOU so much Dave.
It does help and it's starting to make more sense now.? I've now got a Dropbox folder on my second computer (note to others - don't accept the Microsoft warning that it's not a Microsoft approved app and install theirs instead - the Microsoft one is Dropbox for S mode which didn't work on my laptop, had to uninstall and install the original one).? I've copied all the material on my ...Users/Tim/JMRI folder on the old computer to the new ...Users/Tim/Dropbox/JMRI folder, but now have a couple questions, all pertaining to the original computer.? Given that I've?copied all info to my Dropbox folder, inside the DecoderPro3 program I went into the Preferences?pane on the Edit menu and under File Locations on the left pane?steered it to Users/Tim/Dropbox/JMRI.? What do I do with Jython script location below File Location?? Right now it's referring to C:\Program Files (x86)\JMRI\Jython.? Do I have to go into any of the other Preferences pane items like Roster?or Config Profiles to change their paths too, or can I simply hit the save button at the bottom of the left pane and?everything updates the path?? Do I have to close DecoderPro on the first computer and reopen it for changes to take effect??
Sorry I'm taking this slow, but I don't want to make an irreversible mistake.
Thanks once again Dave.? Hopefully once I sort out how to redirect the "steering"? for user file locations on the first computer the second one will be just a similar process.? BTW, I took a peek at the Dropbox JMRI folder on the second computer, and it's got the same info as the first computer Dropbox JMRI folder - guess this really works!
Tim Lux (in Canada)
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Tim,
I've reread your post and see a number of points of confusion.
- Dropbox is not web-based. It does have a web interface but that is only for special purposes, such as downloading the Dropbox app or file history recovery.
- Dropbox is a file synchronisation service, not file sharing or web sharing. When you install the Dropbox app on a computer it creates a local Dropbox folder in your home directory. The job of the Dropbox app is to make sure every local Dropbox folder has the same contents. For this purpose, you must enable the checkbox for the app to start at login. The app sits there watching your local Dropbox folder and making sure it's contents match the central copy on its severs (this is what you see if you use the web interface). If your Internet connection is down no problems, your local copy is still there and the app will synchronise next time it can get a connection. A free account now only allows a maximum of three computers to synchronise.
- Since you have a standard install of JMRI on both computers, your Roster Location would have been identical to your User Files Location. When you change User Files Location, Roster Location will automatically follow. If you have manually changed Roster Location you need to Reset it to follow User Files Location. That is explained in Step 2 of our Dropbox help page but in your case you'll need to do it again on both computers.
Dave in Australia
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Re: No feedback with Digitrax DCS240
since you saw a digitrax throttle in the loconet monitor,? and you already where able to send throttle messages from JMRI to the command station, it looks like your problem isn't that connection. (yay, we eliminated something)
the store-bought telco cables, unless they where the semi-rare patch cables would? be crossover cables, which technically don't meet loconet standards. on other hand, everything digitrax makes? (to the best of my knowledge) will function with them. apparently some aftermarket products dont.? since you rebuilt all the cables, it's doubtefull this was the problem either.
the loconet slot monitor will only show engines that are active/haven't been successfully dispatched, so being mostly empty is ok (as long as you see engines in there that are in use, of course).
Once you have a chance of testing things with loconet monitor monitoring, we'll have a better idea of where the problem is.
There's 3 general cases of what expect to see: Things aren't reporting at all: something wrong with device or loconet between command station and device Things are reporting, with the correct addresses: something's wrong in JMRI, probabbly the panel config or connection configuration Things are reporting with the wrong addresses: board ID got reset, or something. Either update board address/addresses on device, or make JMRI panel match reality
Bob said:
Perhaps it¡¯s not the problem, but you can confirm Loconet by triggering some messages from the remote boards: A short to get a PM4 to report, adding an engine to a block to get a BDL16 to report, etc. Those should show up in the JMRI Loconet monitor window. If they¡¯re there, the LocoNet wiring is OK.
Nope, shorts do not show up and neither does adding an engine to a detected track. No messages trigger in the loconet monitor.?
Dick said:
Another way to confirm a working LocoNet is to click on 'Monitor LocoNet Stats...' The interface should respond with some meaningful data. If if doesn't, and instead just shows 'Raw Data' and some empty boxes, then there is some issue, connections, settings, etc. It is not a helpful debugging tool other than to confirm that life is good. <g> It is useless at figuring out why it does not work, other than to keep you looking
I looked in there, it was mostly empty boxes :(?
So it's safe to assume there is a wire crossed somewhere?? I printed this page from Digitrax and made my cables exactly as they describe:
Wayne
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Take a look at Location > Edit >? Tools > Track Blocking
Order.
Works for me.
Jim E.
On 8/15/2019 6:11 PM, Robert Schworm
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
No.? I would suggest playing
with the switch name, and using a series of letters and
numbers with consideration to the alphabet, then maybe you can
trick the list into ordering in the manner you prefer.? For
example, AT:1 and AT:2 would be a pair, ?then perhaps BT:1 amd
BT:2 would be another pair, etc.? Of course the descriptors
could be as you choose as the ordering is done by switch
name.? Remember when using the letter Ix:x ?this is an
internal switch and is a point in memory with no real
connection to the locobus. Someone speak up if I am in error
please.
Bob S
On Thu, Aug 15, 2019 at 1:59
PM Bob McClain via Groups.Io <mcclainbob55= [email protected]>
wrote:
When I look at a
switch list for a location I notice all the spurs are listed
in alphabetical order.? I want to have the facing point spurs
printed first.? Is there a way to change the spurs at a
location to accomplish this?? I notice there is not Move Up or
Down option in the edit mode.
Thanks,
Bob
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?Tim,
I have been getting every post for the past few years, and I'm sure this has been addressed, but I apologize that I cannot sort it all out and therefore have to reask a few questions or get a few clarifications.? I have read the help pages for file structure and for Dropbox installation, as well as Dave Heap's excellent update on file structure on the "Understanding JMRI file sharing and structure" post dated Oct 24, 2018, so I'm not completely starting from scratch. Rather than answering every point I'm going to give you some general pointers.
- The only time you need to access the Dropbox website is to download the Dropbox installer software and install it on both computers. Then login with the same Dropbox username on both. After that you've finished with the Dropbox web interface.
- Once you've set up Dropbox on your first computer and created a JMRI folder in the Dropbox folder, all you need to do is install and login (with the same username) on the second computer. The JMRI folder should then appear on the second computer. The Dropbox Sharing option is only for sharing files/folders with other users, not for sharing between your computers - that's automatic when you have installed Dropbox on both computers.
- Since all your data is on the old computer, the simplest way is to copy the entire contents of User Files Location (use Help->Locations->Open User Files Location) to the Dropbox/JMRI folder on that computer. You'll have copied too much, but JMRI will ignore the files you didn't need to copy. Then you set User Files Location on both computers to point to ".../Dropbox/JMRI". It doesn't matter if the first part of the path differs between computers.
- As far as the path difference between the JMRI files on your old and new computers is concerned, it doesn't matter in the slightest. The difference is because the old version of JMRI was installed before the advent of profiles, the second after the advent of profiles.
Hope this helps. Please ask for further clarification if you need it before going ahead. It's easier to ask than have to undo a possible mess.
Dave in Australia
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Bob Jacobsen
Wayne Swearingen