consists

[RAF96]

I assume one would need some electeical connection between ones decoder and the computer? Never tried a computer to program a decoder.

Yes the controller needs to be connected to a PC running JMRI/decoder pro. This connection tends to use a USB cable. Some controllers not equipped with a USB port can have an adapter attached. The application then interrogates the decoder via the controller programming facility as usual.

[teedoubleudee]

After reading about it on this (previous version) forum I bought a Sprog 2 decoder and foc JMRI software. I use this all the time in conjunction with my rolling road to test and program DCC locos. Once happy with the performance I then put it on the layout and control with NEC controller.

[darkscot]

After reading about it on this (previous version) forum I bought a Sprog 2 decoder and foc JMRI software. I use this all the time in conjunction with my rolling road to test and program DCC locos. Once happy with the performance I then put it on the layout and control with NEC controller.

I do something similar with a SPROG 2 connected to an old laptop. I actually use a small loop of track rather than a rolling road as find this is better when you are tinkering with acceleration settings.

[RAF96]

Whilst a rolling road is great for many things, you cannot ‘load’ a loco like you can on track. The rolling resistance is virtually nil and cannot really be increased, hence setting inertia, bemf, etc is not going to pan out exactly as it will track.

[teedoubleudee]

Well it has worked ok for me so far but since my layout has changed I only run very small trains so little load. It might not be a suitable solution for everyone.

[Mountain Goat]

I assume one would need some electeical connection between ones decoder and the computer? Never tried a computer to program a decoder.

Yes the controller needs to be connected to a PC running JMRI/decoder pro. This connection tends to use a USB cable. Some controllers not equipped with a USB port can have an adapter attached. The application then interrogates the decoder via the controller programming facility as usual.

Thanks. I did not know that this was possible.