ITG

I have some of these. They all work similarly, in that a single press raises the ramp, and releasing the button, drops it by virtue of its own weight. Obviously, one does need to keep the button pressed for a while to allow time for the loco to pull away; particularly true if a DCC loco has some acceleration delay programmed.

i have found that if you don’t get the vertical rod perfectly aligned through the sleeve, friction does cause some damage delay. Occasionally preventing it dropping at all, until adjusted. Because it all works with a solenoid, I cannot see how the drop can be ‘controlled’ - it’s just gravity.

Thanks all again. Some varying responses here. I’m hoping that those who suggest that the 4.1 v is showing because of no load are correct, as that would simplify the solution. That’s what I wanted to hear! That would mean - if I understand correctly - I could use standard 3v LEDs connected directly. Which would make sense, as why would the point motor instructions mention connecting LEDs (thinking of a mimic panel) directly would be ok. Now I’m beginning to grasp that all LEDs run on 3v, and that it’s current which is the key factor, the penny is beginning to drop. 

I think I have some LEDs laying around somewhere so it’s worth trying. I didn’t do so before, because I was mistaken in thinking the bonfire/brazier etc effects were different LEDs, and thus any trial run wouldn’t prove anything. 

Its a learning experience for sure.

Thanks all.

the devices I’m contemplating using state they are LEDs, either requiring 3v or 12v for differing models from various sources.  GM themselves say the output is 4.1v and measurements I’ve taken myself agree with this.

I’m going to an exhibition tomorrow where hopefully at least one or more of the possible suppliers plan to have trade stands, so I will also pick their brains.

as a solution unfolds, I’ll let you know how it goes.

Help required please.

I’ve belatedly realised I cannot see the setting of a small number of points from my preferred operating position. As I have already constructed a mimic panel purely for uncoupler buttons and infra-red sensor train position indicator LEDs, I now do not want to disturb that, by adding point indicators.  I am using DCC to operate point motors, and I realise I can always check/change points from that controller, but what I would like to do (as the scenery is still under construction) is add an LED indicator in the proximity of a said point, but of a scenic nature, eg bonfire, brazier, arc welder, etc. So that they light up when point is set to straight. The locations of said points allow me to do that.

My dilemma is this. The Gaugemaster PM10D digital point motors I am using kick out 4.1v dc from the designated LED terminals on them. Most commercially available devices (ie the bonfires, braziers etc) from Kytes Lites, Train Tech, Layouts4U etc, have LEDs that require either 3 volts or 12 volts. So I think I need to do something to either drop the 4.1v to 3v (resistors?) or step it up to 12v.

Any advice please on what value resistor I may need, and where it fits. Or how I might lift to 12v?

or, indeed, will 3v LEDs be able to cope with 4.1 v, with no resistors?

thanks

ian

Hi, my journey evolves ...... slowly. 

I have a JMRI Panel Pro mimic panel up and running, and operating points. But I note that if I change points via my Prodigy handheld controller whilst JMRI laptop is connected, whilst the points operate correctly, the mimic diagram does not change in line with that. 

Can anyone advise is this a settings issue somewhere in JMRI, or is this how it is?

my next job will be to set up routes in JMRI, so that multiple points operate on a single click. I already have this set up in the Prodigy, but these do not appear to transfer to JMRI. Is that correct?

I see the JMRI Routes table but have yet to confront it - any tips please?

thanks

Ian

Mmm , an interesting approach I hadn’t thought of.

i shall explore. Thanks Nigel..

meanwhile, any other thoughts from anywhere most welcome.

Help please. 

I’m still at the early stages of exploring how I wish to control digital points (turnouts), currently done by button-pressing accessory numbers on my Prodigy Advance 2.  I am quite keen on the benefits of a visual mimic panel on a laptop, using JMRI. I’ve had some trial success with doing this, but I would prefer better graphic representation than that afforded by LayoutPro.

An option could be to import my Anyrail track plan into PanelPro, which I have been able to do.

But I am stuck as to how one links the actual point graphics from Anyrail into PanelPro. I see that on importing the Anyrail plan, that a populated Turnout Table is created, with both system name (titled IT1, IT2, etc) and  user name (both TOR and TOL are used, with what seem like random numbers). Because of the Prodigy I’m using, if I am setting this table up without the Anyrail import, the prefixes have to be MT (for MRC). And of course, numbered to align with how I have linked them to the Prodigy.

So how do I ‘name’ these Anyrail imported turnouts in such a way that PanelPro recognises them? 

Thanks in advance as always for the help a novice can always get on this forum.

Ian

I now have the physical link from the Prodigy to the laptop. Indeed, I have now progressed to having a (very) rough layout plan in Layout Pro, and can control points by the mimic screen in JMRI.

On this specific query around combining both WiThrottle and JMRI, so as to use the former for switching points, I could use some advice as to how to link the two, please.

i do have another connected query around importing Anyrail layout plan into PanelPro, but I will post this separately on this topic in this forum, if you can also help with that.

thanks as always.

Ian

Ah, I see. Thanks  Nigel. I was beginning to wonder if a physical connection was the solution, a Gaugemaster DCC55 I think it is.

i may be back when I’ve got one.

Just starting with WiThrottle on iPad, on my Prodigy Advance2, and ok with loco control so far. I understand I need to set up turnouts in JMRI, to be able to use turnout function in WiThrottle. In any case, I plan later to use PanelPro to view and operate turnouts on a mimic panel on screen.

but, when setting up Panel Pro on a Windows10 laptop, JMRI seems not to find a serial port. Guidance refers to the ‘serial port associated with the system’. Which system? Windows, MRC, WiThrottle? How do I know which port, and how do it tell JMRI?

Anyone suggest how to overcome this (almost) first step?m

Hi

building my first layout for 50 years (ouch!) as a retirement present to myself. 

I am using a mixture of Cobalt IP and Gaugemaster PM point motors, controlled via a Prodigy Advance 2. Very happy with progress on what to me is a big project from scratch. Apart from the Cobalt motors occasionally keep forgetting their address, and then need re-addressing which involves scrabbling under the baseboard. The Gaugemasters are fine.

i think it occurs if there’s an overload (probably caused by a couple of pre-owned Hornby locos which don’t seem to like Peco Code 100 points, so the locos will probably be exchanged for Bachmanns which seem to run perfectly).

its been suggested to me that the Prodigy causes spikes which impact on the Cobalts, thus inferring a different DCC system would not have this issue. It’s been recommended to fit Power Bus Terminators/ Suppressors at the end of the bus (DCC Concepts make them) but early indication is this hasn’t worked.

any advice or experience most welcome.

ian 

Well, thanks all for a range of comprehensive and speedy replies.

If I read this right - and accepting I need to digest it further - it seems using JMRI may not present quite the challenge I first thought, given my (limited) aspirations of turnout indication/ switching on a glass screen track plan. 

I had thought about a physical mimic panel, but would probably wish to avoid the extra wiring and also a glass screen would be more mobile, given I have an operating well (largely for use at building stage or maintenance) but primarily would prefer to view and operate from one side of the layout.

i do have another question regarding DCC which for clarity I will post separately although it is linked to use of Prodigy (I have been told).

once again, thanks.

Apologies if this appears to be a repeat of an oft aired topic, but I’m a novice returner to model railways.

I’ve laid the first stage of track to be up and running, and invested in a Prodigy Advance 2. I have noted the comments on this forum and elsewhere about the challenges of running this particular DCC system with JMRI, but what I’ve found more difficult to find is experiences of which ‘mimic’ type software is fairly straightforward to set up and does work well with Prodigy.

I think my requirements are reasonably straightforward, as I’m not looking for track sensors or automation etc. But what I would like is a visual representation of my track plan with visible point (ie turnout)  direction settings displayed as a minimum, or, as a bonus, with on-screen control of said point settings. I have an iPad and a Windows 10 touchscreen laptop, and to use either would be an option.

i have points in not particularly visible (from the control location) areas of the layout and using on the Prodigy handset can lead to me failing to remember and then view point settings. Hence the wish for an on-screen display.

so what are my options? Or would I be advised to plan to exchange the Prodigy for an alternative? Whilst I’d rather not do this, if I did, which system would then align/link successfully with a suitable software (JMRI or other)?

thanks in advance for any help.

ian