I've had this Digitrax PR4 decoder programmer for a few months. It looked like it was going to be a major ordeal to set it up so I shelved it for a while.
It involved changing computer settings and dealing with device manager and com ports and installing software. I was hesitant about doing all that on my everyday laptop because I didn't to be messing with all my settings.
A couple of weeks ago, I broke out my old Dell laptop that I hadn't used in at least a year. (It was very slow. That was why I had gotten a new HP one.) I got the Dell all up to date with all the Windows updates.
Today, I got the Digitrax stuff all uploaded to the Dell and got the PR4 to work. It was a major accomplishment and took a couple of hours to get everything right.
I just successfully changed some CV's on my F40PH to get it to start quicker and stop quicker. I had never done anything with decoder programming before.
Now, I have no reason to get rid of my E-Z Command and switch to something fancier.
I'm very pleased now.
Here's a pic. The list of CV's is there. Just highlight the one you want to change and enter a new value. Much easier than I thought it would be.
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That must be very old technology. It sounds like a very complex way to change CVs. I've always programmed on the main with my N C E procab or on a programming track with the pro cab if I needed to do a bunch at once.
As they say in the Old West - There's always somebody faster.
With my way, I can sit at my computer to do it all and I don't need my glasses to look at hard to read text on a small screen and I don't need to push a bunch of button sequences. I do everything with my mouse except for entering the CV value. I click on the icon to open the program and click on the "cv editor" tab. Whatever loco I have on the program track shows up. I just go down the list of cv's, check which one I want to change and enter a value. Then I click "write checked" and "exit".
It took me a while get the whole set up on my old computer going because my old one was so slow.
Once I figured how to do it, I now have it set up on my regular computer and it only took me about 15 minutes.
😂😂😂
There are 3 wires. One for the power supply, one going to the track and one going to the USB port on my computer.
(https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/products/computer-control/pr4/images/PR4_web_image_jpg_350x900_q85.jpg)
Trainman - I understand that you with your 99,000 locos :) need something that can handle all of them. I figure you probably have them all with long addresses. I know you are pretty picky about the various horn, whistle, and bell sounds and need more control over those.
I, on the other hand, with my hand full of locos, don't need all that extra stuff. :)
The only time I have ever needed to program CV's is with this new F40PH to keep it from starting and stopping so slow and to turn the volume down. I really don't have any other use for the programmer right now unless one of my locos goes down and needs a reset.
When I was a kid, I didn't know all about the big, bad world and all of its problems. I only knew that the sun was shining in my world, it was a beautiful day, and the only responsibility I had was to play.
Sometimes with me, it's sort of like that with this decoder business. I still remember the first DCC/sound locomotive I bought, a Soundtraxx sound on board Bachmann 2-8-0 way back in 2007. Plus one of the first run decapods with the same decoder. I bought an EZ because I was intimidated by DCC and was told that the EZ command was the easiest way to get started it, for $75 or so with the time. I didn't know how to change any CVs and was happy just running the engines back-and-forth on a simple run around track deal I had on a 1x8 board, blowing the whistle and ringing the bell. It took me over a year to get the confidence to become involved with a more advanced system. But I have to say, I probably had more fun than today with those two engines just the way they came from the factory.
Hi Terry; I have a Digitrax (Zephyr Express) DCS-52 bought 10 months ago. I love it and program all my DCC Locos with it. EZ system once I learned the process and made a 'cheat-sheet' to remind me. I've used it changing CVs on DCC locos with Tsunami2, QSI Quantum, ESU Select, ESU LSS, ESU Digital, and of course Digitrax DCC ready plug and play 8 pin, 21 pin, etc. Converted many of my DC to DCC ops with Digitrax DH166MT, etc. Once programed, I run my set-up (switchyard) using my EZ Command with 1-9 locos. I made the DCC address for each loco the 'last number' in their road number (CB&Q #338 is DCC address "8") (Great Northern #152 is address "2"). My computer stills are nil, I'd mess-up bigtime and can't afford to destroy one of the locos. Sounds like you're in for a good time making them run your way. I needed to quiet my sound down as they all came set at FULL volume and loud horns. Also they were speed set for fast running... and I need slowwwww yard speeds. Digitrax makes it EZ to adjust CVs.
I really thought about buying a full fledged DCC system until I saw this Digitrax PR4. I realized this would suit all my needs. I don't have that many locos. It's so much easier for me to look at the computer screen and change stuff. I looked at those hand held things with the small windows and the lighting didn't look very good on them. Then there are all the buttons to push. With this it's all just mouse clicks except for entering the 2 or 3 digit CV numbers. I don't need my glasses to see what I'm doing whereas I would have with one of those other systems. The E-Z Command is so simple to operate also without having to press a lot of buttons.
Hi Terry; I agree EZ Command is excellent for actual day-to-day RR operations. Once everything is Digitrax programed. The locos keep their settings and they run smoothly on EZ Command. My grandson learned quickly on EZ Command. My Digitrax isn't a handheld, just a table top unit with easy to read buttons and large screen. It plugs directly into my EZ Track for programing. You just have to have a separate maintenance track for programing or removing ALL other locos before programing the one you want. I oops and left a switcher on a siding once... I reprogrammed BOTH locos by mistake. Like launching a boat without the plug in... ya never do that twice.
Geeper - I just set up a terminal rerailer and couple pieces of track on the table in front of my computer. That way I can sit at the table and do all I need to do with out bending over the layout.
All y'all (classic Okie talk, ha) are talking about all this fancy DCC stuff, while I'm sittin here with my little EZ Command... makes me feel the want for Digitrax or whatever else is good even more. Ha!
Mercy sakes, Quentin, I do declare! (the way my Mississippi grandma used to talk.) all this talk about the DigiTraxx thingy is fine. Until you want to change a setting. Like the whistle. If you're really into whistles like me. Tsunami2-2 has 90. Of course I don't like all of them, but there's about a dozen of them I do. Five chimes and six chimes, I don't care for the three chimes or the hooters. I change the whistle on almost every engine at least once in an evening of operation, sometimes more. Even with 90 whistles in that decoder, there's still several prototype whistles I like that aren't in there. Like a real southern pacific six chime. Although there's three so-called ones on there already, they are all imposters. Or one of the little cast iron 6-inch-high five chime screamers that were on almost all of the T&NO and MP engines.
Or, second reason to want a more advanced system, if you want to give a locomotive a real address other than a single digit, and have more than 10 engines you want to assign addresses to.
I understand that smaller reach operating systems suit some folks well. But when I first fired up my NCE wireless pro cab 15 years ago, I knew there was no going back.
I use the ez-comand and Dynamis system hand in hand. We run our Layout with a Dynamis system, the ez-comand runs
the isolated turntable spur. We use five wireless receivers with one 20ft cat 5 extension cable, two 25ft cat 5 extension cables and one 75ft cat 5 extension cable for the wireless Receivers. Four Bachmann 5amp power boosters, one every 50 to 75ft of track. It handles just fine. Two tears of function keys (1-20), programs all the CV's and indexed CV's to. Can program on service track, main track and isolated turntable spur.
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I run my my layout with the NCE Procab command station connected to the track with two wires. One for each rail. That's it! All I need! I love simplicity! If I wanted to do wiring, I would have built a Heathkit radio kit! That is, if they still have them!
I am running wireless, so the cabs answer to an antenna that is wired into the command station, rather than being tethered into a buss to the track.
That is it! All of it! From beginning of "wiring" to operation, 10 minutes! Or less!
The gurus and gods in Milwaukee have decreed that all layouts need a buss wire system for each track, with the layout broken up into isolated electrical zones each with a circuit breaker. And feeders from the bus to the rail, every 3 feet or so.
In most cases, all of this is overkill for people who are obsessed with soldering. People that would solder a bing cherry onto an ice cream sundae if they could figure out how to do it.
I say that, while on larger layouts, such complication may be necessary, on most of the small home layouts most people have, all of that is ridiculous overkill. My friend up in New York has wasted six months trying to wire a 4 x 8 layout with all the stuff discussed above. When I finally heard about it, I told him dude, stop it, you don't need all that, just hook it up and run your trains.
As far as track wiring, I have wires connected to three tracks at the back of the layout. I had spliced the three wires into one wire to go into the booster. That was from when I had three separate loops.
Once I combined the loops into a thrice around, I left the three attached. One wire out of the booster to the E-Z Command.
Then the two power wires from the booster and E-Z. I have about 6' of distance I can move away from/around the layout. That gives me plenty of maneuvering room. I ordered a couple of 3' extension wires so I can stand back farther to control it when taking videos.
My wiring will get more complicated when I add the Azatrax crossing detectors that I have so I can run more than one train without them running into each other at the crossings. That way I can just sit back and watch them run.
I'm still contemplating how I want to run the wires for that and where to place the sensors. I have three Azatrax boxes to mount somewhere and then twelve wires to six sensors.
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If you are happy with default CV settings, basically running the engine back-and-forth only blowing the whistle and ringing the bell, and not much else, then the EZ command is just the thing for you.
However, if you are interested in running a steam engine and performing many of the actual operational functions of the locomotive, functions that are available on advanced decoders like the tsunami 2–2, you need more.
When my train leaves the yard, I ring the bell, and give two shorts to signal departure. So far, could've done that on an EZ command. Then I actuate the cylinder cocks as was needed on steam engines to evacuate condensate water out of the cylinders after standing for some time. You turn that off after about 10 seconds. Then, if I have a very heavy train, I can actuate a wheel slip sound. Very, very cool I have to say, and a function not available on simpler systems.
After I get out of the yard and enter a non-populated wooded area, I turn on the blowdown for about 10 seconds. On steam engines, impurities and particulates would settle to the bottom of the boiler into a special low place fitted with a valve to eject them and clean the boiler out. The evacuation steam would shoot 30 or 40 feet off to one side and had to be done in an isolated area, on a bridge, anyplace where no harm would come to bystanders or property. Again, a very realistic function that can't be had on simpler systems. Then, when running at speed out on the line, I use the Johnson bar to engage the steam cut off, which has a very audible effect on the exhaust chuff. Or, with the Johnson bar, you can cut the steam off entirely coming to a stop in the yard and drift to a stop, with no sounds other than rod clanking coming from the locomotive. All of this stuff is unbelievably realistic, and not possible with basic systems.
In years past I was involved with live prototype steam a fair amount, learned about about all these required operational actions, and today I really enjoy the feel of actually running a model of a steam locomotive. Some people may not like doing all of that. I've had operators on my layout say it's too much to do. I personally don't feel that way. The great thing about model railroading is that you can participate on the level of watching trains, which we've all done since the Model Railroad Jurassic, or actually get involved with very hands-on operational locomotive functions, only possible in recent times with advanced DCC.
I think it would be neat to watch your trains run and watch you going through your process.
Hi Trainman; Wow, you're really into era proto ops... DCC Steam is nifty for sure. I'm doing early era diesel, half DC and half DCC. The grandkids like Diesel spotting, looking for older diesels. We have Weyerhaeuser SW-9 switchers here in Longview. I didn't electrify my switches as back then all switches where 'manual' so I have all manual switching... I assume steam locos = manual switching like the old days. The grandkids have taken many steam train rides around Pacific NW, and they hit annual model train weekend at the local Train Museum. Life is good... Keep smiling...
https://youtu.be/KIMY5MS2tkc
Hi Trainman; Nice video thanks. I have 2 Athearn Genesis with Tsunami-2 DCC and really like them (GP-18 and F7A). Their CVs are nicely designed and give good performance once set. Never had a problem with them. My Quantum DCC are more switch induced back to Mfr default settings. Never had that occur with Tsunami-2.
Quantum sound is Stone Age, DCC-era Jurassic. It was great 20 years ago, but that was 20 years ago, an eternity in the digital world. Imagine having to load sound files from your computer into the decoder. That comes from the days of very small chips. I remember that quantum had very nice whistles for certain, for a whistle freak like me. my friend has a couple of early Broadway limited steam engines that came equipped with quantum sound. It's a root canal getting anything changed in them. Quantum is out of business now.
Today's tsunami 2–2 decoders are at the top of the mountain. 90 whistles, man. But. They are moving on with Bluetooth technology and are looking ahead to another generation of tsunami decoders with maybe 150 whistles in them. I have a well-placed contact there who keeps me up-to-date on what they're doing.
Replace your Quantum decoders ASAP with tsunami 2–2. You'll never regret it.
You need to go to the Soundtraxx website and look up their webinar for DCC diesel operation.
https://soundtraxx.com/reference/webinar
I'll guarantee you can make those engines crawl better than the way that decoder arrives. Soundtraxx's webinars and videos are masterful, produced by a real guru. Their customer service is top grade.
I realize I have hijacked Terry's original thread to talk about tsunami decoders, and I'm sorry about it. Any other discussion is going to be in a separate thread.
Simplicity is a real virtue with operation. Before I got into all of the advanced DCC, I was using an EZ command to run an earlier Bachmann consolidation and earlier run decapod just the way they came in the box. For a year or so I had major fun, just like that. However, while the consolidation came with pretty good default DCC Operation settings, the decapod was a terrible performer out of the box. It took me quite a while to figure out how to get into the motor control CVs to get it to run as good as the consolidation. But that took getting beyond EZ command.
In closing this discussion, I'd say after many years of fooling with these engines, that the decapod's wonky performance was an exception to the generally smooth running Bachmann steam engines. Most of them ran pretty well on the EZ command, and that should suit most people for simple running.
I am using the PR4 built in the DCS52 for my first time decoder setup and to save my decoder settings. For my non-SD.. sound decoder models I will make the CV changes on the mainline. Once I have it set to my liking, Then over to the programing track to save the decoder settings to a file. I mainly use DecoderPro. Now for SD... sound decoders, SoundLoader has a nifty feature the Sound Test. This runs the sound only part of the decoder on the programing track hooked to a PR4. You can play with the sounds and change the CVs while you are leasing. It gives the Throttle, direction, Function buttons and CV pull down menu so you can make changes while click buttons. But as far as I know it only works with SDH and SDX series decoders. I have not tested other decoders with Sound Test.
Thank you.
TenWheeler01