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371 lines
17 KiB
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371 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
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<title>JMRI Hardware Support - Connecting to a Digitrax PR4</title>
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<meta name="author" content="Bob Jacobsen">
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"Digitrax Chief DCS Command Station PR4 MS-100 LocoBuffer java model railroad JMRI install windows">
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<h1>Hardware Support: Connecting to a Digitrax PR4</h1>
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<a href="https://www.digitrax.com/products/computer-control/pr4/"></a><br>
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<p>JMRI may be configured to use the Digitrax PR4 in a variety of ways. Exactly how the PR4
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will be used depends each user's requirements. JMRI may be configured to use the PR4 to
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control a "Standalone Programming Track". JMRI may instead be configured to use the PR4 to
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give general access to the command station (including command station programming track) and
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LocoNet. A third option allows JMRI to interact with a <a href=
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"StandaloneLocoNet.shtml">"Standalone LocoNet"</a>. JMRI does not prefer any one method
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method over any other method. You may even set up multiple JMRI "configuration profiles",
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each with a different PR4 mode; you choose which one to use whenever you start JMRI. Which
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PR4 mode(s) you use depends on your needs. The table below summarizes these methods.</p>
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<table border="3">
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<tr>
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<th rowspan="2">Usage</th>
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<th colspan="2">Settings in JMRI Connection Profile</th>
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<th rowspan="2">Available JMRI Capabilities</th>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<th>System Connection</th>
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<th>JMRI Command Station Type</th>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">Decoder Programming on PR4 Programming Track</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">"<em>PR4</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="2" class="ctr">"<em>PR4 Standalone Programmer</em>"</td>
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<td>Program decoder CVs on the PR4's dedicated programming track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Operate one loco on the dedicated programming track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">LocoNet Interface, Decoder Programming</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>PR4</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>(a command station)</em>"</td>
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<td>Program decoder CVs on the dedicated programming track and/or the main track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control one or more locos on the main track</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control and monitor LocoNet-connected Switches, Sensors, and Transponding</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Configure some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control or monitor the LocoNet Fast Clock</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Update firmware on some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>etc.</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">Standalone LocoNet</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>PR4</em>"</td>
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<td rowspan="7" class="ctr">"<em>Standalone LocoNet</em>"</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control and monitor LocoNet-connected Switches, Sensors, and Transponding</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Configure some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Control or monitor the LocoNet Fast Clock</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>Update firmware on some LocoNet devices</td>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td>etc.</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<h2>Choosing the PR4 operating mode</h2>
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<p>When setting up a JMRI "connection profile" for a PR4, which "command station" should you
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use when configuring JMRI? That depends on what you intend to do with JMRI.</p>
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<ul>
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<li>If you will <em>only</em> use JMRI to program decoders on the PR4 dedicated programming
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track, then configure the connection for the "command station" type of "PR4 Standalone
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Programmer". In this mode, JMRI will be able to read and write decoder CV values for
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decoders on the PR4 dedicated programming track. In this mode, you may also use a JMRI
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throttle to select and control the locomotive on the dedicated programming track, subject
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to the ability of the PR4 to supply sufficient current to the decoder. JMRI will
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<em>not</em> be able to access the command station or LocoNet peripherals, and JMRI
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throttles will <em>not</em> be able to control decoders via the "main track".</li>
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<li>If you wish JMRI to be able to control decoders via the command station's programming
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track and/or main track outputs, and access LocoNet devices, then configuring the
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connection for the "command station" type suitable for your command station is appropriate.
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In this mode, JMRI is able to control decoders connected via the main track outputs and
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access LocoNet devices and the command station's programming track. JMRI throttles will
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<em>not</em> be able to run decoders which are on the command station's dedicated
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programming track outputs.</li>
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<li>If you wish to use the PR4 to provide an interface to a LocoNet which does not have a
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command station, then select "Standalone LocoNet" as the "command station" type.</li>
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<li>If you think that several modes may be useful to you, you should consider setting up
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<em>one</em> configuration profile for each of the useful modes. Then, when you start JMRI,
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you may select the configuration profile which suits the way you want to use JMRI. And to
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switch to the other mode, you may simply quit JMRI and re-start it, and select the another
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profile, so that you may perform some other type of work.</li>
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</ul>
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<h2>PR4 as a stand-alone decoder programmer</h2>
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<img src="images/PR3-PR4StandaloneProgConnections.png" alt=
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"Connections for PR4 acting as a standalone programmer" width="350">
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<p>When the PR4 is configured to act as a programmer, it is connected to a dedicated
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programming track via the screw terminals on the PR4. A separate power supply, such as the
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PS14, <strong>must</strong> be used with the PR4 in this case. When JMRI is properly
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configured, JMRI can use the PR4 programming track to set CVs in any decoder that DecoderPro
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supports.</p>
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<p>This mode of operation can also be used to download sound information into Digitrax sound
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decoders and, within its limited current capability, run one locomotive to test it. When used
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with Digitrax SFX decoders, "neutral mode" allows you to vary the speed without the motor
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moving the decoder, so you can hear how the locomotive sound reacts to varying speeds.</p>
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<p>Note that Digitrax only guarantees programming for Digitrax SFX decoders with properly
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installed loads, etc, but our testing has found that the PR4 will work with many common
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decoders.</p>
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<p>When configured as a standalone programmer, the PR4 is not able to communicate with the
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command station or any LocoNet peripherals. The red "X" in the diagram above denotes this
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limitation.</p>
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<p>To set up JMRI to use the PR4 via the dedicated decoder programming track mode:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Start the program.</li>
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<li>Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
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<ul>
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<li>For the "<strong>System Connection</strong>" setting, select "LocoNet PR4"</li>
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<li>Under "<strong>Serial Port</strong>", select the serial port that's connected to
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the PR4</li>
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<li>In the "<strong>Command station type</strong>" option, select "PR4 standalone
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programmer".</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the "Flow Control" option defaults to "Use Hardware Flow
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Control", which is the preferred setting for the PR4. You should try that first, as it
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is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that
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choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select
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"None" for this preference and try again.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>The "connection" preferences should look similar to this image:</p>
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<img src="images/PR4StandConnProfile.png" alt=
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"Sample configuration profile with PR4 as a standalone programmer" width="500">
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<h3>PR4 Standalone programmer usage suggestions</h3>
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<p>You can use a JMRI throttle to control the locomotive connected to the PR4 dedicated
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programming track. Use the JMRI Power Control or the "Power" menu item on the Throttle's menu
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bar to turn on track power, and then you can operate the locomotive normally.</p>
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<p>The PR4 can only provide very limited current to its programming track, so Digitrax has
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built a "neutral mode" into their sound decoders. When JMRI and the PR4 is running a Digitrax
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sound decoder, the motor is disconnected to reduce the current load. You can still ramp the
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speed up and down with the throttle and listen to how the sound responds, but the motor won't
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move the locomotive.</p>
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<ul>
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<li>To implement that "neutral mode" described above, the PR4 automatically writes CV128 to
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0 or 1. This happens when a JMRI throttle is used to run the locomotive on the PR4
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programming track, and there's nothing JMRI can do to prevent it. Unfortunately, this can
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interfere with the CV programming on some non-Digitrax decoders. For example, it will set
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the "Master Volume" CV128 on some SoundTraxx decoders to a very low volume.</li>
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<li>If you are using the PR4 with a decoder that uses CV128 for something, you should
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either not use a JMRI throttle to run the locomotive on the PR4 programming track, or
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remember to rewrite CV128 with the right value just before removing the locomotive from the
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track.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>Other decoders, including decoders from other manufacturers, may draw enough motor current
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to trip the PR4 internal circuit breakers. This will cause JMRI to mark track power as "off".
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Just wait a couple seconds and turn the track power back on to recover.</p>
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<h2>PR4 as a LocoNet Interface</h2>
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<img src="images/PR3-PR4LocoNetInterfaceConnections.png" alt=
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"Connections for PR4 acting as a LocoNet interface" width="350">
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<p>When acting as a LocoNet interface, the PR4 allows JMRI to interact with devices connected
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to LocoNet. This includes programming decoders on a programming track attached to a LocoNet
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command station. Where the LocoNet command station supports "programming on the main", JMRI
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is able to make use of that feature.</p>
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<p>To set up JMRI to use the PR4 via the dedicated decoder programming track mode:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Start the program.</li>
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<li>Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
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<ul>
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<li>For the "<strong>System Connection</strong>" setting, select "LocoNet PR4"</li>
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<li>Under "<strong>Serial Port</strong>", select the serial port that's connected to
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the PR4</li>
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<li>In the "<strong>Command station type</strong>" option, select the command station
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model which you are using.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the "Flow Control" option defaults to "Use Hardware Flow
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Control", which is the preferred setting for the PR4. You should try that first, as it
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is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that
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choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select
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"None" for this preference and try again.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>The "connection" preferences should look similar to this image:</p>
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<img src="images/PR4LocoNetInterfaceConnProfile.png" alt=
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"Sample configuration profile with PR4 as a LocoNet Interface" width="500">
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<h2>PR4 as an interface to a Standalone LocoNet</h2>
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<img src="images/PR4StandConnections.png" alt=
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"Connections for PR4 connected to a Standalone LocoNet" width="350">
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<p>The PR4 can also be used to connect JMRI to a <a href=
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"StandaloneLocoNet.shtml">"Standalone LocoNet"</a>, which may be useful when LocoNet is used
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for some aspects of layout control while some other control system is use for other aspects.
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An example may be track occupancy detection and signaling using Digitrax BDL168 and SE8C
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boards while locomotive control is provided by a non-LocoNet DCC system. More information on
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this advanced topic is available on the <a href="StandaloneLocoNet.shtml">Standalone
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LocoNet</a> page.</p>
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<p>Note that the PR4 is unable to provide either <a href=
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"StandaloneLocoNet.shtml#railsyncgen">RailSync power</a> or <a href=
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"StandaloneLocoNet.shtml#dataterm">LocoNet data signal termination</a> to the Standalone
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LocoNet. This is a significant departure from the PR3 design. If you replace a PR3 with a PR4
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in a Standalone LocoNet application, you will need to provide some other source of RailSync
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power and LocoNet data termination the <a href="StandaloneLocoNet.shtml">Standalone
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LocoNet</a> page for more details.</p>
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<p>To set up JMRI to use the PR4 to connect to a Standalone LocoNet:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>Start the program.</li>
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<li>Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
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<ul>
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<li>For the "<strong>System Connection</strong>" setting, select "LocoNet PR4"</li>
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<li>Under "<strong>Serial Port</strong>", select the serial port that's connected to
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the PR4</li>
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<li>In the "<strong>Command station type</strong>" option, select "Stand-alone
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LocoNet".</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.</li>
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<li>In the advanced settings, the "Flow Control" option defaults to "Use Hardware Flow
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Control", which is the preferred setting for the PR4. You should try that first, as it
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is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that
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choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select
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"None" for this preference and try again.</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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<li>Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.</li>
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</ul>
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<img src="images/PR4StandaloneLocoNetInterfaceConnProfile.png" alt=
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"Sample configuration profile with PR4 as a Standalone LocoNet Interface" width="500">
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<h1>PR4 Drivers</h1>
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<p>The PR4 needs to have a driver installed when used with any Microsoft Windows Operating
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System. See the PR4 support articles at the web links for the PR4. Make sure to follow the
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instructions exactly, particularly about the order of installing the drivers and plugging in
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the device. Note that the PR4 makes use of the PR3 drivers.</p>
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<p>Digitrax makes its drivers available on its website on the <a href=
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"https://www.digitrax.com/downloads/">Downloads</a> page.</p>
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<p>You don't need to install a separate driver when using current versions of Mac OS X or
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Linux.</p>
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<h1>See Also</h1>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<a href="Digitrax.shtml">JMRI's general Digitrax support page</a>
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</li>
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<li>The JMRI <a href="StandaloneLocoNet.shtml">"Standalone LocoNet"</a> page.
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</li>
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<li>For more information on the PR4 itself, please consult the Digitrax website:
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<ul>
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<li>The Digitrax <a href=
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"https://www.digitrax.com/products/computer-control/pr4/">PR4</a> product page.
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</li>
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<li>The Digitrax <a href="https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/product/PR4/">PR4 Support</a>
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page.
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</li>
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<li>Drivers for Windows-based machines may be found at the Digitrax <a href=
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"https://www.digitrax.com/downloads/">Downloads</a> page. Note: use the Digitrax PR3
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drivers with the PR4.
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</li>
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</ul>
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</li>
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</ul>
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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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