Serge NOEL
134 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
134 lines
5.0 KiB
Plaintext
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<title>JMRI Hardware Support - LocoBuffer-II to LocoNet®</title>
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<meta name="author" content="Bob Jacobsen">
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"Digitrax LocoBuffer-II java model railroad JMRI hardware">
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<h1>Hardware Support: Connecting a LocoBuffer-II to LocoNet®</h1>
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<p>The LocoBuffer-II provides a very reliable way to connect a computer serial port to a
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LocoNet®. It was produced by Dick Bronson's <a href=
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"http://www.rr-cirkits.com">RR-CirKits</a> company, based in part on the original LocoBuffer
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design, but is currently out of production. You might be able to find one in a local hobby
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shop. It's been replaced by the <a href="LocoBufferUSB.shtml">LocoBuffer-NG</a>, which uses
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a built-in USB connection.</p>
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<h2>Recommended setup</h2>
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The LocoBuffer-II requires a <a href="KeyspanUSB.shtml">USB-to-serial adapter</a> with dedicated
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drivers on computers without a serial port. See the <a href="LocoBufferUSB.shtml">LocoBuffer-NG</a>
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for a LocoNet-PC interface with direct USB support.
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<p>The recommended LocoBuffer-II option switch settings are:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>19,200 baud or 57,600 baud</li>
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<li>RS-232 echo off</li>
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<li>LocoBuffer mode</li>
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<li>ICSP Program Mode off</li>
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<li>Boot Program Mode off</li>
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<li>Isolated power (<a href="#locoBufferIIPower">see below</a>)
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</li>
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</ul>
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<p>The recommended JMRI setup for the LocoBuffer-II is:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Set all switches off (toward the front label side).</li>
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<li>Connect the LocoBuffer-II to a suitable power supply, for example a wall-wart of the
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correct voltage.</li>
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<li>Start DecoderPro or other program and configure it for:
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<ul>
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<li>LocoNet LocoBuffer-II</li>
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<li>Select your port</li>
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<li>19,200 baud or 57,600 baud, to match the LocoBuffer-II internal option switch
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settings</li>
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<li>Hardware flow control</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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</ul>
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<h2>Loop-back testing</h2>
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<p>The LocoBuffer-II input circuit and code actually reads from the LocoNet output jack, so
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if you install the LocoNet terminator (the small circuit that was shipped with the
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LocoBuffer-II) and set SW7-8 to ON (down) so that the input circuitry gets its power from
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the wall-wart, then you have created a loop back test. The only thing that is not tested is
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the LocoNet jack itself.</p>
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<p>Steps:</p>
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<ol>
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<li>Unplug The LocoNet cable</li>
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<li>Open case (use a small screwdriver to work open the latches at the small slots on the
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sides)</li>
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<li>Install terminator</li>
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<li>Set Sw 7-8 ON, all other switches OFF</li>
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<li>Set the JMRI LocoBuffer options to 19,200 baud and hardware handshaking enabled</li>
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<li>Open the JMRI LocoNet Monitor window.</li>
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<li>Using JMRI send some commands (e.g. switch commands)</li>
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<li>The commands should appear in the LocoNet monitor window and the LocoBuffer-II activity
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LED should blink</li>
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<li>Remove the terminator (unless your application requires it)</li>
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<li>Restore the LocoBuffer-II option switches to their normal settings for your
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application</li>
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</ol>
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<h2 id="locoBufferIIPower">LocoBuffer-II Power</h2>
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<p>When powered by an external supply, the LocoBuffer-II completely isolates your computer from
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the LocoNet, removing the possibility of ground currents flowing through the LocoNet cable.<br>
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If you are using an isolated computer, for example a laptop that's not connected to any
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peripherals, you can configure the LocoBuffer-II for "Local Power" so that it doesn't need an
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external power supply. It will then get it's power from the RailSync leads in the
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LocoNet.</p>
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<p>It is strongly advised that you get your computer connection working properly with an
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external power source in "Isolated Power" mode before you do this. That way, if any problems
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arise when you try to use Internal Power, you'll know what caused them and they'll be much
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easier to diagnose.</p>
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<p>To configure the LocoBuffer-II for "Local Power", remove the power connection and set
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switches 7 and 8 to ON (down, toward the switch illustration).</p>
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<p>LocoNet® is a registered trademark of <a href="https://www.digitrax.com">Digitrax,
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Inc.</a></p>
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