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KB194 PR3 - Switch Functions

The Mode Switch: The Mode Switch next to the Green LED is used to toggle back and forth between MS-100 mode and PR2 Programmer Mode. The Green LED will wink once per second if in the MS-100 Mode or toggle every second when in the PR2 sound programming mode. The Loconet Termination Switch: The switch next to the error LED is used only in MS-100 mode to activate the Loconet current source termination feature. This switch is active ONLY when a command station is NOT connected to the Loconet and the red LED is solid on indicating there is no ...

KB195 PR3 - Hardware Setup

SoundLoader and PR3 have been tested to work on PC compatible computers running at 550MHz and up with Windows XP or Vista, 512MB of RAM. Other combinations of hardware and software such as Windows 98 may also work, but are not supported by Digitrax, and have not been tested to operate properly. Installation consists of three steps: Hardware installation, software installation, and software setup. Below is a photograph of the actual hardware connections required for SoundFX programming. Assemble the PR3 hardware as shown in the diagram below and connect to an appropriate power supply (Digitrax PS14 or equivalent). Note the ...

KB196 PR3 - Software Setup for Microsoft Windows XP

When the PR3 is powered up and properly operating, the green ‘USB’ light on the PR3’s control panel will be blinking steadily and the red ‘STAT’ will be blinking momentarily. Make sure the supplied SoundLoader Installation CD is inserted in your PC's CD player. Plug the PR3’s USB cable into a vacant USB socket on your PC . Depending on which operating system you have on your PC, you will next see a dialog box appear on your PC’s monitor. The procedure we document in the following pages is for Windows XP, if you have Windows Vista®, Windows 2000®, or ...

KB76 PR3 - Running with JMRI on Mac OS 10.5

Running the PR3 and PR3 Xtra with JMRI on MAX OS X. 1) Plug in the Digitrax PR3 to a USB port on an Intel-based Apple computer running MAC OS version 10.5 or later.  Within about a second the Green "USB" led on the PR3 should glow steady green showing a USB connection has been established with the MAC. 2) Open system profiler or About This Mac and under hardware>USB there should be a entry "Vcom" showing that the USB port has enumerated OK. This optional step is simply to check the PR3 device was found.3) Go to JMRI sourceforge ...

KB77 PR3 - Using USBDeview Utility to uninstall failed PR3 installations

Note: If the PR3 driver installation process fails, you will have to uninstall the VCOM USB driver before attempting reinstallation. We suggest using a utility called USBDeview for this purpose.  It is available for download from: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/usb_devices_view.htmlThe process is simple, run the USBDeview program, location the VCOM driver in the list and right click to uninstall. Disclaimer The software is provided "AS IS" without any warranty, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The author will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential or indirect damages ...

KB594 Is Digitrax signaling and detection equipment compatable with other DCC systems?

Q: I have a Lenz Set 100 and was wondering if I can use my DCC system and use the Digitrax signaling and detection components. What about other DCC systems?A: Yes, Digitrax detection and signaling will work with any DCC system.  You will need to install a LocoNet network for the LocoNet components to communicate with each other and use a PR3 or MS100 to interface with a computer running software such as Railroad and Co. 

KB218 Downloading and Installing Complete Sound Projects Created By Other Users

To get the most out of your SoundFX decoders you'll need an internet connection in order to get to the Sound Depot website (digitrax.com/sounddepot). For the casual user, access to the Sound Depot site will let you download new Project files that other users have customized. So if you want to change your loco's factory default GP38-2 sound project, and another user has previously uploaded a GP38-2 sound project file with something special, perhaps a different horn configuration, you can do it. It's easy: Just go to the Sound Depot and download the desired new sound project file or use ...

KB1013 PR3 Xtra Support Portal

The PR3 Xtra is a bundle including the PR3 and the PS14 power supply, please go to the one of the following pages for support you need: PR3 PS14

KB284 I tried to program an SFX0416 with my PR2 and the sounds did not "Take".

Q. I tried to program an SFX0416 with my PR2 and the sounds did not "Take". I clicked the big green "Program" button and after the initial buzzing for about 15 seconds, nothing further happened and now the unit makes no sounds. I am using a Compaq XP-home 1.5GHz laptop with SoundLoader version 1.16. How can I fix this? A. The most likely issue is that you are using the earlier SoundLoader version 1.16, which was not configured for full support of 16M bit flash sound memories, such as those used in the recently released SFX0416. SoundLoader was updated in ...

KB606 PR2 Use With USB

This application note shows how you can use your Digitrax PR2 Programmer with the USB Port on your computer. The PR2 has been replaced by PR3 Programmer and Computer Interface.  PR3 offers USB connectivity.The PR2 Programmer is a serial device that connects to a computer via a 25pin serial port. Serial ports are not available on most computers in current production. USB ports are more widely used today. The Digitrax PR2 Programmer can be connected to a USB port by using a USB to Serial RS-232 DB-25 Adapter Cable. Caution: Not all cables on the market will work. One that ...

KB169 PR3 Operational Modes

What are the different operational modes available in the PR3? The PR3 is the combination of two previous Digitrax devices: the PR2 decoder programmer and the MS100 LocoNet to computer interface. The PR3 can be configured through manual (control panel buttons) or automatically (software) means to perform any one of the following three operations: a) The PR3 can be configured to function as a stand alone decoder programmer. In this mode the PR3 can program the configuration variables of most DCC decoders and the sound effects of the Digitrax Sound FX sound decoders. b) The PR3 can be configured to ...

KB170 PR3 - Computer Requirement Update

Will the PR3 and SoundLoader software work on systems with specifications other than those listed in the PR3 manual? The beta testers have reported that the PR3 with SoundLoader software, DigiMon software, and IPL software have been found to work on many desktop and laptop computers running Windows 2000 and Windows XP with Processors as slow as 450mhz, Ram memory as little as 128mb, and USB 1.1 Ports. The beta testers cannot confirm that every computer with the above limitations will function properly with the PR3 and SoundLoader software.

KB171 PR3 - Stand Alone LocoNet Interface Applications

Under what conditions can the PR3 be used as a Stand Alone LocoNet Terminator? The PR3 is so designed so that it can be configured to act as a stand alone LocoNet controller in the event that a Digitrax command station is unavailable for the control of a series of LocoNet compatible devices. There are two major situations that would require the PR3 to act as a stand alone LocoNet controller. The first situation is where one of the many advanced features offered by the LocoNet and the various LocoNet compatible devices is desired to be used on a layout ...

KB172 PR3 - General Applications

What are the most common applications for the PR3? 1) Stand alone Sound FX programmer As a bench tool the PR3 is the first USB and second device designed by Digitrax for the programming of the SoundFX sound decoder. The PR3 does write to and read from the sound patterns of any SoundFX sound decoder. In addition the PR3 can write to and read from any CV of most current non sound mobile and function decoders found in today's market place. 2) Digitrax command station LocoNet to Computer interface As a layout control tool the PR3 is a second generation ...

KB173 PR3 - Operating as a LocoNet Terminator

Just wondering if i can get clarification regarding using the PR3 as a standalone Loconet Terminator. The "LocoNet termination" mode of the PR3 allows the unit to connect to other modules without needing a command station, when there is no requirement for DCC track packets. In this mode you can interface to a PC and add units like DS64's with control of turnouts and detection (BDL168) and signals (SE8) without needing to run DCC track control or decoders. Running off e.g. JMRI or RR+Co is a good and intended usage.

KB948 Retired Digitrax Products Continue To Work With New Products on LocoNet

I own a Digitrax Starter Set that is now discontinued. Can I still use it and can it be upgraded?LocoNet lets you use all Digitrax LocoNet components in your system no matter when you purchased them. You can continue to use what you already own with new components as they become available. Note:  This will work with all starter sets except for Challenger. If you have a Challenger Set and you want to move up, the best thing to do is to purchase one of the new sets and use the DB100 series booster that came with your Challenger as ...

KB181 Single Programming Track - Multiple Programming Sources

How can I connect my PR3 programming output to an existing programming track on my layout that is already set up for programming and mainline operations? Install a non shorting multi position rotary switch between a isolated section of track, 4-6” longer than your longest engine, and the various desired outputs from command stations and the PR3 output terminals. The following schematic allows a single section of track to be fed by the rail output of a command station, the programming track output of a command station, and the programming output of a PR3. To add other third party decoder ...

KB502 PR2 - Red and Green LEDs

  Q:  On my PR2, I have been getting the red light and message saying COM Port Paused a lot when trying to read CV’s. A:  This operation is normal. Whenever you bring up any of the auxiliary menus such as Soundtest or CV editing, the main Soundloader screen pauses its communication with the PR2 so the auxiliary menu operation can take place. When in the normal main screen, the program is constantly talking to the PR2 so it must be paused to allow these other activities to take place. Unless you are not able to read/write CV's, this should ...

KB914 MS100 Serial Computer Interface with USB Ports

The MS100 LocoNet Interface is a serial device that connects LocoNet to a computer via a 25pin serial port.This application note shows how you can use your Digitrax MS100 computer interface with the USB Port on your computer.  Serial ports are not available on most computers in current production. USB ports are more widely used today.  The Digitrax MS100 LocoNet interface can be connected to a USB port by using a USB to Serial RS-232 DB-25 Adapter Cable.  Digitrax recommends the PR3 for interfacing your USB equipped computer with LocoNet.Caution: Not all cables on the market will work. One that ...

KB637 PR1-Setting up Mars Lights

Setting Up a Mars Lights with the PR1To program the decoder for Mars Light or other "single" output applications, follow these steps:1. Go to the Digitrax Decoder Programmer2. Select FX Set up3. Choose the function that you want to be the Mars Light4. Select "Mars Light"5. Click "OK"6. When you are back in the main screen click "Send"

KB638 PR1-Setting Up Ditch Lights

The following CV set up simulates prototypical ditch lights that are on steady when running and alternately flashing when the horn blows. The ditch lights will be on when the engine is running, when you simulate blowing the horn by going into function mode and pressing F2 the ditch lights will flash on alternate sides of the loco. Note, the F2 key on Digitrax throttles is set up as a non-latching function so that the function assigned to F2 will be "ON" as long as you hold the F2 key down and will go "OFF" when it is released. Follow ...

KB639 PR1- FX Lighting Effects Setup

When you click on the "FX-Setup" button a second menu screen appears which contains the special light effects for the FX decoder. If the decoder you are programming is not capable of FX effects, this section will not apply to your situation.On this screen we have access to F0 Forward Light, F0 Reverse Light, F1, F2, F3 & F4. The programming directions and choices are the same for each function. The pull down field to the right of this shows you which effect is assigned to that particular function. The following is a list of choices: No effect, normal function ...