OsxDtrax

From Jmri

Installation & setup with MacOSX, LocoBuffer II and Digitrax Zephyr

This guide will almost certainly work with other Digitrax command stations, but I don't know that's the case:

1. Although Java is included with MacOSX, the Java communication libraries are not, and you've got to install them first - They're available here - Simply download and execute (this will require your admin password) to install these libraries.
2. Download the release you want from here. As this is hoping to be a forward looking document, I chose the so called test release, 1.7.2. Expand the downloaded file in the usual fashion and you should wind up with a few '.app' files plus numerous support files in a folder called, surprisingly, JMRI.
3. Connect the Locobuffer USB to a spare USB port on your computer - The 'USB power' light on the Locobuffer should come on. If it doesn't, you're screwed (!) - Seriously, if you're running Windows XP, (and you shouldn't be if you're reading this!) it is probably worth visiting here for instructions on getting the drivers working.... (Furthermore, it turns out that currently the LB USB isn't working with the Mac for reasons beyond the control of RR-Cirkits :-() <old information, It should work with the current Mac drivers from RR-CirKits or the current Mac drivers from FTDI>
   1. If you have a Locobuffer II, and it seems that if you want it to work that's your only choice right now (!), you're going to need an adaptor between its serial port and the USB port on your Mac. See here for more information. In any event, this version of the LB II also needs power from a wal-wart, and then its power led should turn on. And please don't try and claim you have a Mac OSX machine with serial ports..... We know better :-)
4. Connect a Loconet cable from your command station to the Locobuffer. If power is 'on' to the command station the Loconet power LED should now also come on.

OK, with both power LEDs on we can be pretty sure the H/W stuff is doing, well, H/W stuff.... Now you can determine the success of the software installation in a number of ways! - I like to start simple and have found starting the LocoTools.app and then selecting 'Loconet monitor' is a good way to go.

If the 'welcome' screen (?) in LocoTools comes up and says something like "Connected via <none> on <none>" you cheated and didn't make your Loconet connection and/or your RS232 connection. If you are sure these are connected, please visit this MissingComms link.

Hopefully though the welcome screen says something like "Connected via Loconet on .......". Turn on track power from your command station and you should see a "global power on" message in the Loconet monitor window.

Congratulations! - You have a working installation! For further information, please see the relevant section:

• Introduction to DecoderPro.
• Introduction to PanelPro.
• Introduction to LocoTools.