So, I saw in last month's Model-Railroad-Hobbyist that MRC released their API and JMRI provided support in their latest release. Has anyone tried it out. The club has a prodigy wireless system. I'd like to use JMRI with it to provide of course better programming ability, but also wifi throttles.
YoHo, I did! I bought the wired interface and have used both JMRI and the MRC interface to my PA2. Worked simultaneously with the wired handhelds and the screen. I haven't tried it with Engine Driver on my phone yet, but I did get it to work with my Sprog II prior to obtaining the MRC 1516. It was one short session, so I don't have extensive experience.
Update to my previous post. I have used the MRC wired interface with JMRI and my PA2 some more and can report it's working well. Using Panel Pro to operate a couple of throttles there were no problems. I also used Engine Driver on my phone and it also worked well with everything. My PA isn't set up for wireless unless I set up WiThrottle for Engine Driver. The JMRI preferences are set so it is Cab #1. I have the two wired handhelds as Cabs #2 and #3. Cab #2 has full programming capabilities so if I don't use the JMRI interface, the PA is fully functional. The USB connector for the MRC unit is at one end of the circuit board. The circuit board is enclosed in shrink wrap, but I felt uncomfortable holding the board while plugging and unplugging it into the computer USB port. To resolve that, I connected a USB extension cable to the MRC unit and now plug and unplug the other end of the cable into the computer, thus minimizing the handling of the MRC board. My layout is all in one room, so for the phone throttle, I use a retired wireless router connected to nothing (no connection to the home network or cable modem). It looks a little weird sitting there with no cables coming out of it, other than the power cord. I created a network on the router just for JMRI WiThrottle that the wifi adapter on the PC (Windows XP) and the phone find right away. The router is nothing fancy, 802.11g 54Mbs. The laptop is used for JMRI and only accesses the internet through the home network when updating JMRI. Programming Tsunamis on the main using JMRI through the PA2 works, but seems to be somewhat slower than using the Sprog II. When the loco is not moving, there's a definite kick. I'll continue testing and comparing. Overall, I think it (JMRI MRC interface) should work on your club layout.
Thanks for the update. I installed it on the system and only worked with it briefly. It seemed to work though I need to research JMRI's controls more.
I have the prodigy express box and advance controllers will that work with a pr3 from digitrax and if so how do I connect it and the wired throttle?? as my control box has only one cab connection on it
SASRR, If I understand your inquiry correctly, you want to connect a PR3 to your Prodigy system and use JMRI on your layout. I don't think that's possible. The Digitrax PR3 does not have an interface with MRC but will work with JMRI as a separate decoder programmer.
my real question I guess is can I use it and the handheld to run the trains with or does it have to be one or the other
The short answer is, sorry, no. MRC and Digitrax components aren't compatible. As I do not own a Prodigy Express, you should check with MRC (call them) to confirm your model will work with either the MRC 1412 or the MRC 1516 to accomplish what you want to do.
