Loconet

[Chemdawg]

I am curious. I ordered 3 Digitrax DS64 Decoders and a 12 pack of tortoise machines. I'm looking at the DS64 and it has a loconet plug in. Right now for JMRI purposes, I have the PR3 already to connect to my computer. The loconet on there goes from my Digitrax Zephyr to the PR3. So why do each one of the DS64 modules have to plug into the Loconet? Or what is the advantage.

If they need to be plugged in to loconet to function correctly, is there a HUB you can buy that goes from 1 into 2 or something like that so I can make more ports?

 

[tankist]

if you noticed they have not one but two sockets. no hub needed, you connect them together by chaining them one after another. after all loconet is a "bus".
just don't forget to change board ID's and program addresses on each decoder.

if you want you can connect all your decoders to rail directly and forget about loconet cable. but doing so is loosing the advantage - saving the somewhat limited rail com bus bandwidth.

 

[WCWBrassHat]

There is also a place to plug in a PS14 to power the DS64's without drawing power away from the command station and trains.

Glenn

 

[Chemdawg]

My biggest question is, do I need to use Loconet if I want to use JMRI? I was planning on powering my Tortoise machines, and the three DS64's with a 1amp controller I have here for now. Not sure how that will work if it's plugged in through loconet and drawing power from the Zephyr..

 

[fast_ian]

My biggest question is, do I need to use Loconet if I want to use JMRI?

"Yes & no!".....

For sure, you need a Loconet connection between JMRI & the Zephyr in order to use Decoderpro. That obviously doesn't need Loconet to your DS64's.

However, if you want to use Panelpro, control the tortoi from JMRI and/or get feedback (T/O position etc) into JMRI you really want to use the buss - Stuff can then communicate "properly".

My 02c - you've come this far - Run the loconet buss to everything you've got that has a loconet plug - Just daisy chain 'em all together and you're golden.....

Cheers,
Ian

 

[tankist]

what he said. its just 3 more loconet cables at this point

 

[Chemdawg]

Ok. So I don't have to supply power to each of the DS64's. I only need to use my power supply for the Tortoise machines.

However, how much power consumption does the DS64's, and the PR3 take? I have 3 of the DS64's, and 1 PR3 for now. But eventually I will be adding a occupancy detector also. What kind of load is this going to put on my Digitrax Zephyr 2.5 amp unit? Along with powering the track.