Hardware Support: CVP Products EasyDCC
Supported Hardware
Command Station
- #EDCSK - EasyDCC Kit Command Station
- #EDCSA - EasyDCC Assembled Command Station
- #EDCSB - EasyDCC "board alone" Command Station
Limitations
Some older EasyDCC systems may need an update to their built in program. This is done by
replacing the "PROM" chips in the command station with a newer version. Version 207 is known
to work well, but version 022 is known to have some problems communicating with a computer.
Later EasyDCC command stations will connect OK.
Connecting
Wiring
- To connect your computer to an EasyDCC system, you need to connect the Command Station
to the computer's serial port using a special cable. This is not an item that computer
stores generally stock, due to the special RJ11 connector needed at the command station end
of the cable. You'll probably have to make this cable yourself, or have another CVP user
make it for you.
For more information on how the cable is wired, see page 134 of the EasyDCC V4 command
station manual or page 143 of the V6 manual (a version in PDF is
available on the web).
One easy way to connect the system to your computer is to buy a 9-pin serial cable and
a phone cable, then cut them and splice them together.
With computers without a dedicated serial port, use a USB-to-Serial adapter.
Alternatively, you can connect your EasyDCC command station to your computer running
JMRI over a networked serial box as (see below).
Settings
- Next, go to the Preferences panel of a JMRI-based program. This opens automatically the
first time a program is run, or you can select it from the "Edit" menu.
- Open the Connections tab, select "Easy DCC" from the System
Manufacturer selection box and choose from the following setups.
Serial
- Select "EasyDCC via Serial" as the System Connection. You can then select the proper
serial port from the drop-down list under Settings.
- Accept the suggested Connection Prefix and Name, or replace it with a more fitting one.
Make sure it is unique.
- Under Additional Connection Settings, the baud rate box will be fixed at 9,600
bps.
- Click "Save". You'll be asked if it's OK for the program to quit; click "Yes".
Network
Connect to a networked serial box such as the Lantronix EDS8PR/16PR/32PR as a
virtualized EasyDCC over Serial connection in JMRI, as demonstrated by david zuhn.
- Select "EasyDCC via Network" as the System Connection.
- Review the suggested Connection Name and prefix.
- Under Settings, enter the IP Address (optional for zeroConfig/mDNS) and Port number (on
Lantronix boxes, the port number is calculated as 2000 + the physical port number on the
back of the box).
On the Lantronix box, set up the serial communications as described above under
"Serial".
- Click "Save". You'll be asked if it's OK for the program to quit; click "Yes".
Simulator
- If no hardware is attached, select "EasyDCC Simulator" as System Connection.
- Review the suggested Connection Name and prefix.
- No other settings are needed.
- Click "Save". You'll be asked if it's OK for the program to quit; click "Yes".
To complete the configuration, restart JMRI. You should now be up and running.
Notice the EasyDCC menu on the main JMRI screen.
Debugging
Please refer to the CVP EasyDCC
Manuals.
Documentation
JMRI Help
With connected EasyDCC command stations, JMRI supports:
Third Party info
The CVP EasyDCC Manuals
