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LocoBuffer.shtml
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LocoBuffer.shtml
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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN"
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<title>JMRI Hardware Support - LocoBuffer to LocoNet®</title>
<meta name="Author" content="Bob Jacobsen">
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"Digitrax Chief DCS Command Station MS-100 LocoBuffer java model railroad JMRI install windows">
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<h1>Hardware Support: Connecting a LocoBuffer to
LocoNet®</h1>
<p>John Jabour designed the LocoBuffer as a reliable way of
connecting a computer to a LocoNet®. He's no longer
making them, but <a href=
"http://users.pandora.be/deloof/page5.html">Hans deLoof</a>
has taken over for people who want to build their own.</p>
<p>The <a href="LocoBufferII.shtml">LocoBuffer II</a> is
currently the most reliable commercially-available way to
connect a computer to a LocoNet. It is produced by Dick
Bronson's <a href="http://www.rr-cirkits.com">RR-CirKits</a>
company, based in part on the original LocoBuffer design.</p>
<h2>Recommended setup</h2>
<p>The recommended setup for the LocoBuffer is:</p>
<ul>
<li>The LocoBuffer should be configured with J1, J4 and J5
set on pins 1 and 2, J2 and J3 set to pins 2 and 3. This
configures it for a 19,200 baud connection, with echo
on.</li>
<li>Start DecoderPro or other program and configure it for:
<ul>
<li>LocoNet LocoBuffer</li>
<li>Select your port</li>
<li>19,200 baud</li>
<li>Hardware flow control</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Usage suggestions</h2>
<p>For the most reliable operation, turn on your layout and
computer before you turn on the LocoBuffer.</p>
<p>Some computers can successfully communicate at 57,600bps
with a LocoBuffer. To do this, select "57,600 baud" when
configuring and configure your LocoBuffer with J4 and J5 set
on pins 1 and 2, J1, J2 and J3 set to pins 2 and 3 (J1 is the
one that determines the baud rate). But we strongly recommend
that you try 19,200 and make sure that works first.</p>
<p>The LocoBuffer controller chip should contain version
1.4.6 or later of the LocoBuffer program. Note that
LocoBuffer version 1.4.5 has a bug that prevents it from
working with this program. If you got your LocoBuffer chip
after February 2002, this should not be a problem for
you.</p>
<h2><a name="flow" id="flow">LocoBuffer flow control</a></h2>
<p>Some Windows versions, in particular Win2000, cannot
handle the LocoBuffer's control leads properly. You'll see
this as DecoderPro or PanelPro being unable to communicate
with the command station, even though you can see LocoNet
traffic with the LocoNet monitor. To fix this, try opening
the preferences and select "no flow control" option, click
save, then quit and restart the program. Note that this
problem is specific to certain Windows versions, and you
generally should have "hardware flow control" selected.</p>
<p>If the problem persists, please try jumpering-together the
pins 5, 6 and 8 on the LocoBuffer's 25-pin connector. These
are the CTS, DSR, and DCD leads in the LocoBuffers RS232
interface, and connecting them will (perhaps) fool your
computer into accepting the LocoBuffers flow control
signals.</p>
<p>That connector has a row of 12 pins and a row of 13.
Looking at the solder-side of the board, pin 1 is at the end
of the row of 13 (toward the center of the board), at the end
nearest the RJ12 LocoNet jack. Next to that are pins 2, 3, 4
and 5 with traces on them. Pin 6 is next to that, with
nothing connected. Pin 7 (ground) has a trace, then pin 8
does not.</p>
<p>So the suggestion is to connect pin 5 (with a trace) to
pin 6 and 8 (without traces). Be careful not to short to pin
7, which is already connected.</p>
<p>LocoNet® is a registered trademark of <a href=
"http://www.digitrax.com">Digitrax, Inc.</a></p>
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