Hey Guys, Can the PSX-AR be used to send block occupancy for use with JMRI? If not, what would you recommend.

The layout under construction is located in Chattanooga, TN, at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

It has 4 reverse loops, using the Digikeijs DCC system. Our web site is tvmri.org. It is being designed to run automatically when open for viewing and for operating sessions with dispatching……EJ

The short answer is yes, the PSX-AR can be used to detect block occupancy. HOWEVER, you need a discrete interface to your cab bus to get the information to JMRI. Since the Digikeijs system has a LocoNet interface, you can use the DCC Specialties Jack AD Sensor board. Here is a link: https://tonystrains.com/product/dcc-specialties-jack-ad-sensor

The JACK AD Sensor board will take up to 8 discrete inputs (such as the occupancy output of the PSX-AR, a toggle switch, etc.) and output a "sensor message" on LocoNet.

  • J4-3 of the PSX-AR connects to J2-2 (-5, -8, or -11) of the Jack AD.
  • J4-4 of the PSX-AR connects to the desired input (e.g. J2-1 for A1, J2-3 for S1 etc.)

For example, if you use the default address (LocoNet address 0), you will get sensor message S1-S8 sent on LocoNet, one message for each of the 8 inputs. A LocoNet message is sent each time a sensor changes state. JMRI can read LocoNet and use the discrete status of the sensors to take appropriate actions.