Sprog 3

GWR-Kris · February 28, 2012, 07:38:48 PM

Just been on the Sprog website and seen the new Sprog 3. What do people think looks more promising.

http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk/about_sprogII.shtml

red_death · February 28, 2012, 10:49:49 PM

Sprog 3 and the new Sprog booster both look excellent. Personally I am a huge fan of Sprog + JMRI + Wiithrottle (or Enginedriver) for a cheap way to have a very sophisticated DCC set up.

CHeers, Mike

GWR-Kris · March 08, 2012, 03:54:31 PM

Anyone bought a Sprog3 yet. Also i would like to know can i use the Sprog3 on a small layout, on a temp basis.

red_death · March 08, 2012, 09:20:07 PM

You can use the Sprog 2 on a small layout, so the SProg 3 will be even better. Doesn't have to be anything temporary about it!

GWR-Kris · March 09, 2012, 09:04:14 AM

thats cool just didnt want to buy it and find i cant use it on a small layout.

James C · March 14, 2012, 12:16:23 PM

You can use a booster with the Sprog 2 anyway, as far as I know the only difference is that "out of the box" the 3 is capable of running a larger layout without the need of an external booster.

Which makes it even more desirable to have. I'm very happy using my Sprog 2 rather than an "all singing, all dancing" all in one control system.

red_death · March 14, 2012, 01:10:41 PM

Correct, though if I were starting from scratch I would buy the Sprog 3 rather than the 2 (unless I was only using the Sprog for programming where you don't need the higher current).

Cheers, Mike

GWR-Kris · March 15, 2012, 10:39:00 AM

I do ahve a few question tbh, i searched the Sprog website and cant find my answer tbh.

If i bought a Sprog 3 and because of my layout size 6main lines shunting and a branch line this maybe on the limit of even the Sprog3. if i required more power should i buy a booster or another sprog3.

With regards to programming do you need an isolated area or can programme it on the same system with other locos on it.

red_death · March 15, 2012, 11:06:39 AM

There is no hard and fast rule about size of layout and any DCC system because the main things that matter are how you wire things and the current draw of the locos.

Basically the more locos you have drawing current at once the greater the current you need output from the controller. Sound equipped locos will draw more current than non-sound locos. All of which also begs the question how many locos "in steam" do you want to have. Unless you are planning to automate lots of lines, or have lots of operators then most people are going to be restricted by the amount of things they can control at once rather than the current!

Programming I would always do in an isolated area - saves any accidental reprogramming of the whole fleet ;-)

So questions are:
- how big is your layout (you said small earlier)?
- how many locos do you want to operate at once?

Cheers, Mike

GWR-Kris · March 15, 2012, 02:19:39 PM

Hi sorry I have a small layout 3' x 6' with 2loops running max 2 trains at once. I have created a small layout becasue of the time is going to take and money to create the main layout, and gives the kids something to use.

The main layout which will be 8' x 16' will have 6loops 1branch and 1shunting yard, so on that layout will be a max of 8trains at once. I have no plans for sound yet, but will be running a mix of diesel/elec and steam on the big layout.

Sorry for confusion, i have two projects on the go lol. I always make sure that i invest in things once, not buy something that wont be suitable int he bigger picture if you catch what i mean.

red_death · March 15, 2012, 02:40:28 PM

The small layout will not be a problem.

The larger layout if you had all 8 trains running at once *might* hit the current limit of a Sprog 3, but it will really depend on each individual loco and making sure you have adequate wiring, though my mind does boggle how you will manage to control 8 locos at once (are you an octopus

?).

If you found that you did hit the limit then the way to do it would be to put power districts into the layout and run one of the power districts directly off the Sprog and the other off a Sprog booster ie multiples of 2.5A, but personally I would just try a Sprog 3 first.

It is well worth joining the sprog-dcc and jmriusers Yahoo groups.

As I said I think that the limitation is far more likely to be your ability to control 8 locos all at once (without some fairly decent automation - not impossible) rather than the current.

Cheers, Mike

GWR-Kris · March 15, 2012, 03:35:34 PM

Hi Mike

Thank you for your advice will look into those yahoo groups. I do realise it maybe difficult to control 8 trains but only 2 will ne going back and forth the other 6 will be on a continus route, most likely these wont be stop started every few minutes.

GWR-Kris · March 19, 2012, 01:32:23 PM

just placed an order for the Sprog3 and adapter.

red_death · March 19, 2012, 02:13:15 PM

Good stuff - let me know if you need any help getting started. I am still only scratching the surface of the full capabilities of JMRI and the Sprog.

Cheers, Mike

GWR-Kris · March 19, 2012, 02:55:54 PM

cheers mike. Going to hopefully install JMRI tonight and get that setup before the sprog arrives.