Programming With Digitrax PR3 Using JMRI & Program Track

[@fogdan]

Thank you again!!! 116 to 7 worked. I Love What You Do Here!!!

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Your welcome. Thanks for the question, I'm sure there are a lot of modelers looking for the same solution but never ask!

[@q80aziz]

Yes sir I do realize that very well . What I meant was that the PR4 in combination with JMRI can not program some LGB locomotives due to ( guessing here ) not having enough power . Thanks

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Okay, Thanks for the update. I didn't know that!

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Just a thought. Have you considered DCC++ with a Polulo motor shield?

[@MMRails]

Good job Tim, I mean Ton, sorry, Tom. Very informative. I think I have a PR3 somewhere. When it comes time to hook it up I'll rewatch this video. -Mark

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Thank you very much Mark. Keep all the DCC Videos in your Database for future reference. I'll create a Playlist just for you called "Marks Future DCC Reference Library."

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Reference Library can be found at: kzbin.info/aero/PLjjhnrIKSTSjgSlo9i2WZyj4HnEKnJGu4

[@MMRails]

Lol! I thought you were joking! Thanks Tom! Very convenient.

[@titodalessandro1909]

Tom can you teach us about the new LMWI wireless system? From what I’ve seen so far, it’s the cat’s meow! Thanks Tom. And I will be very busy on my multi track table layout! Lionel, ho slot car, ho train ... last week I built a clear plastic canapé, to cover the hole table. Keeps the dust, sawdust, exc. off the table. Love my Trains ! T.

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

I'll see what I can do Tito. Sounds like a great idea to cover your layout.

[@jeffstrains4014]

Nothing like everyone trying to sleep and all of a sudden 5 engines start blowing whistles horns and stating up LOL. Because you derailed on a turnout just ordered a PM42... Good video although I remember asking you this question some time long after this video.

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

PM42 will work great to divide your layout up into sections.

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Hi Tom I’m looking at Pr3 and wondering if there is any thing better I will using it for Q S I LOKSOUND TSUNAMI DIGITRAX and TCS and also I was glad to see your answer about Tsunami to Mute it when Power is applied to the Layout 🎩🎩

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

I think the PR3's have been discontinued but you still may be able to find some in stores. Digitrax replaced it with a PR4 which is much easier to set up and use.

[@andrewthomas9777]

Hi Tim, I'm having difficulty getting my com port 5 to work on my computer windows 10, I have tried everything but with no success. Right now when I go to device manager the communications port has a yellow triangle over it. Any help would be great

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Try a different USB port or a different USB cable

[@jamurphy8386]

I'm trying to obtain as much info as I can about using JMRI with a PR3 - currently the only piece of Digitrax equipment I have at this time.... My friend built me a standalone board, prewired with a 3' length of track, a PR3, and USB cable and wires. I don't want to bug him right now, but I have little idea how to use it!!! 😥😛😲 The only thing I'm sure of, is that being a standalone programmer, any interface with my NCE system is irrelevant. Thanks again! Murph 🚂

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

The PR3 will work with any DCC system. JMRI does most of the work once you have it connected to your computer. All you have to do is choose the available options from the drop down boxes when it first starts up and your all set after that, as long as you don't change USB ports on your computer. If you use a different USB port, you may have to change the comm port in your settings on JMRI.

[@jamurphy8386]

Thanks for clarifying that, Tom! I figured it would be fine, being completely stand-alone.... But it's become apparent that your experience definitely exceeds mine, especially electronics. Certainly with anything Digitrax related! I'm actually pretty excited to use JMRI. 😃

[@Pywacket69]

Hi Tim, thanks for your instructions on using the PR3 and JMRI. I have been having troubles with my PR3 not finding decoders in my engines (even if the engines are store bought with decoders already inside and programmed). I would like to discuss my settings with you. Can you advise if you would like a PM or can we discuss this here for others to learn as well?

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Thanks for watching and your question. I think many have had the same issues and from what I've found it's always a bad connection between the PR3 and the program track. When I was doing this video, I had the same issue of not being able to read the loco on the track at first. I only had a temporary track in place, but I'm planning on putting in a permanent track. Even after having successfully reading locos, I still had issues later in the day. I have to play with the wires to get it to read.

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Are your setting any different than mine that you can see in this video or in the Beginners video I uploaded today? Is there an error message at the bottom of the page similar to "can't read" or "no response" whenever you attempt to read the decoder? I can helpp you further with more information.

[@q80aziz]

Hi Tom , That is good equipment no doubt but can the PR3 powered by the PS 14 ( now the PR4 ) together with JMRI handle the programming track for G scale locomotives ? I find that the great majority of digital model railroading items are dedicated to mainly N and HO scales plus other scales such as z & TT . However, they are rated at only about 3 Amps of current and as you are aware G scale and scale 1 ( Marklin ) require a lot more juice than that in order to run properly so am afraid the PR3/4 is going to go up in smoke if subjected to something like 8 amps by a Digitrax command station / booster Thank you very much

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

The PR3 & PR4 are for programming sounds and editing CV's with JMRI. They are not used for running your locos. I had a viewer comment a few months ago about having 2 PR4's burn up on him when he programmed his HO loco then tried out the changes on the program track. Digitrax replaced the first one, but not the second. I guess they realized he was trying to run the loco on the program track. I would suggest contacting Digitrax to see how you can use the PR4 in your case. If they say it's OK to program a G scale loco and it burns up, it's on them!

[@johnmagro5984]

Interesting.i like to know how to get to my CVS in my digitrax

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

First of all, you have to know which CV controls what. Once you know that you enter it into the throttle and change the value to your desire JMRI makes things much easier, cause there is no quess work involved

[@titodalessandro1909]

Wow, now that is tec at work.

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Thank you Tito

[@lukeguindonmusic]

In standalone programmer mode, should I be able to use motor functions and sound functions while the decoder is on the programming track?

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Programming Track is for programming, Main Track is for running & programming

[@adamserafin5707]

Does the jmri read the cv's ,or is it the pr3 that tells you what cv's are available on the decoder.Thinking about getting a pr3 since I have invested in some sound locos and the system I have does not read back unless I spend double for a component that cost double as a pr3 and still it would not have a pc interface. Just wondering since I found doing it the way I been is too time consuming,but I have found cv's available in the budget Sound value decoders that they do not list. I was told eith the pr3 or jmri can read all avaliable on the decoder instead of all this trial and error. Is this true? For instance all the soundtraxx sv line have cv58 and cv 217, but Soundtraxx does not list them for any SV line decoder.How many more ?

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Thanks for watching and your question Adam. The PR3 is an interface between your command station and your computer. It also can be used as a sound programmer for Digitrax Sound Decoders with the Digitrax Sound App. JMRI has the capability to read & write CV's to/from your decoder through the PR3 or any other brand interface. Using JMRI's Decoder Pro will list all the CV's available for each decoder. Some CV's are not always listed in the user manuals for a locomotive or Decoder, so it's possible to see more options through JMRI.

[@adamserafin5707]

Thanks Tom . You could not have explained it better, This is exactly what info I was seeking.

[@bigdon1a1]

Yes,. Wen I use my multimeter, it goes negative all the way, having problem reading bands

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Hi Don. You might need to change the battery in your meter.

[@bigdon1a1]

the battery is fine in reading the resters there should be a varible I would think of how much resistance there is my memery has left home LOL

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

When reading the resistance of say a 1 K Ohm resistor, you may read ~950 because of the tolerance of the resistor.

[@jacjac5761]

HOW DO YOU USE jmri AS A THROTTLE USING pr3

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Tools/Throttle/New Throttle. Then choose the loco number. If it's being used by your Digitrax throttle, it will ask you if you want to steel it!

[@jacjac5761]

Hey thanks I was able to get it running. Now im going to be able to run it via remote from work

[@bigdon1a1]

Multi meter,. How to see what the resistance is of a restor

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

Hey Don. Is that a question?

[@KingTrump2024]

Anyone ever use the PR3 and JMRI to run a train ? Seems to be a little under powered? Decoders go into an epileptic seizure once you get any speed going (more current draw). My Sprog 3 works great, no issues.

[@TomsTrainsandThings]

The PR3 is an interface between your DCC system and a computer, and a stand alone programmer which can program sound fx in your loco. It's not intended as a throttle to run locomotives on your layout as with the Sprog 3. The two programming terminals on the device when connected to your programming track does not have enough power available to run a loco. Maximum 250 mAmps. The only way to run your trains through the PR3 is using it as an interface with a command station powering the tracks and the built in throttle in JMRI or with an app for a mobile device. In this method, the PR3 is just a connection between your computer with JMRI and your command station.

[@KingTrump2024]

Thanks for the info, its much appreciated. It does explain a few things.