Nov 29, 2017 From time to time, Digitrax issues firmware updates for our products. Check below to see if any firmware updates are available for download for your Digitrax equipment. In addition throttle hardware conversions are available if you want to convert from walk around operation to wireless. DigiTrax Entertainment is a global music company dedicated to bringing the best interactive music services to market. Engine Driver is a model railroad throttle app for use with JMRI, MRC Wifi or Digitrax LnWi. Connects to WiThrottle server to control one to six DCC locos' or consists' direction, speed, up to 29 user-configurable functions, plus turnouts, routes, power and JMRI web server access. See website for prerequisites, setup, operation and support. Digitrax PR4 USB Decoder Programmer Interface (Scale = ALL) Part # 245-PR4 The PR4 makes decoder programming and interfacing your layout and computer easier than ever. The PR4 seamlessly switches between computer interface and decoder programming modes automatically without having to press any buttons. Oct 27, 2019 digitrax pr3 driver download admin October 27, 2019 No Comments 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 There are two major situations that would require the PR3 to act as a stand alone LocoNet controller.
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The Digitrax PR3 (Xtra) can be used as a standalone decoder programmer with its own dedicated programming track (much like the Digitrax PR2), or as an interface between your computer and a LocoNet®, much like an MS100. It can only do one or the other of these at a given time. You select the PR3 operating mode in the JMRI preferences when setting up s 'connection' in the JMRI 'preferences'.
Digitrax has released a product called the 'PR3 Xtra'. This is simply a PR3 device plus a suitable power supply. It may be considered as 'identical' to a PR3 for all practical purposes.
Digitrax introduced the DCS240 device in 2016. This command station includes an integrated PR3 device. For the purposes of JMRI, the DCS240 USB interface device is equivalent to a PR3.
When the PR3 is configured to act as a programmer, it is connected to a dedicated programming track via the screw terminals on the PR3. When JMRI is properly configured, JMRI can use the PR3 programming track to set CVs in any decoder that DecoderPro supports.
It can also be used to download sound information into Digitrax sound decoders and, within its limited current capability, run one locomotive to test it. When used with Digitrax SFX decoders, 'neutral mode' allows you to vary the speed without the motor moving the decoder, so you can hear how the locomotive sound reacts to varying speeds.
Note that Digitrax only guarantees programming for Digitrax SFX decoders with properly installed loads, etc, but our testing has found that the PR3 will work with many common decoders.When acting as an interface, the PR3 allows JMRI to interact with devices connected to LocoNet. This includes programming decoders on a programming track attached to a LocoNet command station. Where the LocoNet command station supports 'programming on the main', JMRI is able to make use of that feature.
The PR3 can also be used to connect JMRI to a 'standalone LocoNet', which may be useful when LocoNet is used for some aspects of layout control while some other control system is use for other aspects. An example may be track occupancy detection and signaling using Digitrax BDL168 and SE8C boards while locomotive control is provided by a non-LocoNet DCC system. More information on this advanced topic is available on the 'Standalone LocoNet' page.
For more information on the PR3 itself, please see the Digitrax PR3 page and the PR3 Support page.
Drivers
The PR3 needs to have a driver installed when used with Microsoft Windows. See the Digitrax PR3 Windows Setup page for more information. Make sure to follow the instructions exactly, particularly about the order of installing the drivers and plugging in the device.See also PR3 Firmware issue which affects computers running Microsoft Windows below.
You don't need to install a separate driver when using current versions of Mac OS X or Linux.
Using the PR3 as a LocoNet Interface
To use the PR3 as an interface, connect a LocoNet cable to the LocoNet connector on the PR3. (Although not required, it's also OK to connect a power supply to the PR3). Finally, connect a USB cable between the PR3 and your computer.
Recommended setup as LocoNet interface
To set up a JMRI application to use the PR3 as an interface to a LocoNet which includes a LocoNet command station:
- Start the program.
- Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
- Select LocoNet PR3
- Select the serial port that's connected to the PR3
- In the 'Command Station' option, select the type of command station you've got on your LocoNet, e.g. '
DCS100 (Chief)', 'DCS050 (Zephyr)', etc.The 'Stand-alone LocoNet' option should be selected if you don't have a command station connected; see the 'Standalone LocoNet' page. In this case, the PR3 connection will not be able to program decoders.
- In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.
- In the advanced settings, the 'Flow Control' option defaults to 'Use Hardware Flow Control', which is the preferred setting for the PR3. You should try that first, as it is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select 'None' for this preference and try again.
- Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.
Using the PR3 Programming Track
To use the PR3 programming track, connect the PR3 to its power supply and to a dedicated piece of track which you'll use as the programming track. Finally, connect a USB cable between the PR3 and your computer.
The PR3 does not necessarily provide reliable readback of CVs for some decoders, including many sound decoders, when the power supply is a 12VDC or 14VDC power supply. Some users repot that using a 18 VDC regulated power supply enables them to reliably read sound decoder CVs via the PR3 programming track. Do this at your own risk!Current Digitrax documentation for the PR3 defines a maximum input voltage of 15 Volts DC, where previously the maximum voltage was listed as 20 Volts DC. Use of input voltages higher than 15 Volts DC could damage the PR3 hardware.
Recommended setup as dedicated programming track
To set up a JMRI application to use the PR3 as a dedicated decoder programming track:
- Start DecoderPro.
- Open the Preferences window from the Edit menu and configure the connection by:
- Select LocoNet PR3
- Select the serial port that's connected to the PR3
- In the '
Command Station' option, select 'PR3 Standalone Programmer'. - In the advanced settings, the speed will be fixed at 57,600 baud.
- In the advanced settings, the 'Flow Control' option defaults to 'Use Hardware Flow Control', which is the preferred setting for the PR3. You should try that first, as it is the most reliable mode. Only if you can't reliably program decoders using that choice, and only after checking that you're using the right port, should you select 'None' for this preference and try again.
- Click Save at the bottom of the preferences window, quit the program and restart.
You can use a JMRI throttle to control the locomotive connected to the PR3 Programmer. Use the JMRI Power Control or the 'Power' menu item on the Throttle's menu bar to turn on track power, and then you can operate the locomotive normally.
The PR3 can only provide very limited current, so Digitrax has built a 'neutral mode' into their sound decoders. When JMRI and the PR3 is running a Digitrax sound decoder, the motor is disconnected to reduce the current load. You can still ramp the speed up and down with the throttle and listen to how the sound responds, but the motor won't move the locomotive.
Other decoders, including decoders from other manufacturers, may draw enough motor current to trip the PR3 internal circuit breakers. This will cause JMRI to mark track power as 'off'. Just wait a couple seconds and turn the track power back on to recover.
Using the PR3 programming track to program Non-Digitrax Decoders
To implement that 'neutral mode' described above, the PR3 automatically writes CV128 to 0 or 1. This happens when a JMRI throttle is used to run the locomotive on the PR3 programming track, and there's nothing JMRI can do to prevent it. Unfortunately, this can interfere with the CV programming on some non-Digitrax decoders. For example, it will set the 'Master Volume' CV128 on some SoundTraxx decoders to a very low volume.If you are using the PR3 with a decoder that uses CV128 for something, you should either not use a JMRI throttle to run the locomotive on the PR3 programming track, or remember to rewrite CV128 with the right value just before removing the locomotive from the track.
Note that some PR3 devices do not behave well with JMRI when running on some versions of the Microsoft Windows computer operating systems. This problem has been seen by some some users of Windows 7 and Windows 8. These PR3s can cause erratic JMRI operation and can cause the JAVA interpreter to fail abnormally. Recovery from the issue may require re-starting JMRI or even require a true power-cycle for the computer, and this can resolve the problem until it happens again at some unpredictable future time. Note that a 'hibernation' or 'sleep' mode might not provide a temporary solution to the problem.
Digitrax has provided a PR3 firmware update which seems to resolve this issue. It may be applied by the user.
The appropriate update files and instructions are available from the 'Download' page on the Digitrax web site. Digitrax provides an application to apply the firmware update; the software package runs under Microsoft Operating Systems, and this is the strongly recommended way to apply the PR3 firmware update.
Alternatively, although not recommended for this case, JMRI provides a tool which can be used to update the PR3 firmware. The JMRI tool is not recommended for this case because the failure could happen during the JMRI firmware update process. If the failure happens during the PR3 firmware update process, it is possible that the PR3 might require factory repair.
LocoNet® is a registered trademark of Digitrax, Inc.
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- Production Releases:
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- JMRI 2.14.1
- Test Releases:
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- 'Production releases' about twice a year. These are the ones we recommend to general users.
- 'Test releases', usually about monthly. These contain new features and changes that will eventually appear in the next production release.
- Development builds, which are created every few hours as the developers update the code. You can download one of these if you want quick access to some particular fix, but please note that they're not fully tested. Test releases get more testing as part of the release process.
If you've never installed a version of this program before, please read the installation guide (on the left) for your computer type and layout hardware. They will show you how to install the things that are needed before the program will run. These additional preliminary steps are one-time only and not necessary when updating. If you've previously installed a working version of the program, you only need to download and install one of the files listed below to update.
Installation guides: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
See also the page of layout connections.
On July 8, 2020 production release 4.20 was made available.
Release 4.20 is the current 'production' release, recommended for first-time users. Please see the release note for additional information.
Test release 4.21.4 was made available on January 29, 2021.
JMRI 4.21.4 is the next release of the current development series, containing the latest and greatest JMRI updates.
The series is working toward the next JMRI production release, probably in early 2021.
For more information, including the links to download a copy, please see the release note. Release 4.20 is the current 'production' release, recommended for first-time users.
JMRI 4.20 - Production release
Download:
- OS X / macOS: https://github.com/JMRI/JMRI/releases/download/v4.20/JMRI.4.20+Rc7ba8249b.dmg
sha256: b9ccc8c7d27637c9b7caaa1e985a866fe245365110d4a3629841bf134d02af85 - Windows: https://github.com/JMRI/JMRI/releases/download/v4.20/JMRI.4.20+Rc7ba8249b.exe
sha256: 025d1b380d206ac827bfcc3610eaca33c79e20db8da3b83b62b3cc5fe5e83e49 - Linux: https://github.com/JMRI/JMRI/releases/download/v4.20/JMRI.4.20+Rc7ba8249b.tgz
sha256: f4019e3fa65801e7732ce99684d9fd8a05ba1bc47a17352e9fc3944bb6e8b68b
For more information on the release contents, please see the release note.
Download Digitrax Driver Installer
These files can be used for either a new installation or updating an existing installation.
We recommend that you verify the downloaded files using the provided sha256 key.
Download Digitrax Driver Software
If you're looking to download Rodney Black's CATS application, see the CATS download page.
JMRI 3.10.1 - Production release for Java 1.6
Release 3.10.1 is recommended for JMRI users with computers that can only run Java 1.6. Please see the release note for download and install information.
Production release 3.10.1 was made available onn January 11, 2015.
JMRI 2.14.1 - Production release for Java 1.5
Release 2.14.1 is recommended for JMRI users with computers that can only run Java 1.5. Please see the release note for download and install information.
Download Digitrax Drivers
Production release 2.14.1 was made available on July 15, 2012.
JMRI - Test Releases
As the program develops, we also produce test releases. You may want to try these, as new features will show up in them first. They are announced in the JMRI users Groups.io group.
The most current test release is JMRI 4.21.4. More information on it, including the links to download a copy, can be found in release note.
For more information on the rough development schedule, please see the JMRI road map (which is only occasionally updated).
Related Items
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Download Digitrax Driver App
The Crandic Automated Traffic System (CATS) is a JMRI-based application by Rodney Black for controlling and operating a model railroad. There's more information on the CATS web site.
CATS 2.34 (Release2037) is compatible with JMRI 3.3.1 thru 3.8. We recommend that you use JMRI 3.8 with it.