MF Decoder List

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Suggestions for the MF decoder list….

Part Number
Brand (Because some brands are not made by themselves…)
Recommended scale
Sound?
Current, continuous
Current, Maximum
Function Outputs
Speed Steps (14, 28/128) Most decoders will switch between 28 & 128 seamlessly as this is determined in the command station.
Program Modes: Direct, Paged, Address, Register (Ops or Service modes not applicable here)
Back EMF y/n
High Frequency Drive
Interface: Nmra 6, 8, 4, PluX, 21MTC, Next18, JST, wired and other

The interface could be broken down into NMRA Large/NEM654, NMRA Small/NEM651, NMRA Med/NEM652, and 21MTC or 21MTC/NEM 660.
(Because the NMRA pinout for 21MTC was only realigned to match the NEM standard most manufacturers followed last year, so some decoders are not completely compatible.)

I don’t think that including details like FW/Sound files can be upgraded, that can go to a subpage specific to that decoder.

The sub page looks good, maybe a few tweaks to the terms and make the box larger. Maybe eliminate the 2/4 addressing and just use Extended Addressing y/n.

TazzyTazzy

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Program Modes: Direct, Paged, Address, Register (Ops or Service modes not applicable here)

So, I’m working on the multifunction decoder stuff at the moment. I made a property called Property:Has Decoder Programming Modes

You mentioned that Ops mode doesn’t apply to direct/pages/address/register. Which are all service mode programming methods. However, I believe “Ops” should be listed as a possible programming method. If this wrong, let me know.

TazzyTazzy

There’s a lot to unpack in this. I’m going to skip the list for now as I need to get the data from the individual pages first. So far, I have understood the following and will be using a bot to make the following changes to all multifunction decoders:

Has Programming Modes -> Has Decoder Programming Modes == Change property name so as to not be confused with something that may come along later and have nearly the same property name.
28, 128 -> 28/128 - Consolidate 28 and 128 into just 28/128 display == 2 checkboxes instead of 3.
Has Silent High Freq -> Hash High Frequency Drive == Rename property it probably better aligns with nmra terms…?

Back EMF is already collected.
The interface. You provided 2 lists:

Interface: Nmra 6, 8, 4, PluX, 21MTC, Next18, JST, wired and other

The interface could be broken down into NMRA Large/NEM654, NMRA Small/NEM651, NMRA Med/NEM652, and 21MTC or 21MTC/NEM 660.

Can you provide one single list of how you think it should be displayed. I would be totally guessing to implement the list like this:
Property:Has Decoder Interface::

21MTC/NEM 660
NMRA Small/6 Pin/NEM651
NMRA Med/8 Pin/NEM652
NMRA Large/4/NEM654
PluX
Next18
JST
Direct wire
Other

Regarding the 2/4 digit addressing. I think for newcomers, being consistent with 2/4 addresses might be easier instead of ‘support extended addressing’. I’m a little torn on this as it’s nice to have the DCCWiki follow NMRA standards, but sometimes the terms are confusing to newcomers. I suppose we can just use a tooltip popup over the ‘Extended address’ to explain that extended addressing means 4 digits.

I’ll work on the display tweaks after we get all the properties collected a little more firmed up.

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TazzyTazzy

Property:Has Decoder Interface::

21MTC/NEM 660
NMRA Small/6 Pin/NEM651
NMRA Med/8 Pin/NEM652
NMRA Large/4/NEM654
PluX
Next18
JST
Direct wire
Other

That list looks good. Some older 21MTC decoders made in the US followed a different pin assignment, but going forward newer units will be compliant. The NMRA only adopted the pinouts last December.
Would it be possible to insert a disclaimer on a decoder’s info page stating that the manufacturer’s instructions should be consulted to verify the decoder’s connections?

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TazzyTazzy

OPS mode only uses Direct CV write.
Register and Address are legacy features, most decoders today use Direct CV. Most systems let you select the mode used for Service Mode programming.
Maybe just use Page/Direct/Other, as most older decoders have probably been upgraded to something more modern in the last 10 years.

Direct became popular about 10 years ago…

TazzyTazzy

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I’m getting more confused. Perhaps this page needs an update:
https://dccwiki.com/Decoder_Programming#Service_Mode_Programming_Methods

It lists address, register, paged, and direct for service mode programming. What about ops mode? I’ve been using this page for reference. Could you perhaps update the top of the page with a summary listing of service modes/ops modes and their terms? I’ll use this to create/update the list. :-)

TazzyTazzy

I’ve converted everything to use “Extended Addressing” - decoders and command stations.