Cheap and Amazing! DCC-EX 2 Years Later

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DCC-EX Build
• DCC++EX: A Cheap DIY D...
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Arduino Mega
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT

[@TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Jimmy, why are you making me rethink my entire life, and all of my decisions that I’ve ever made?

[@kenr86]

I have to second your comments on Engine Driver. I have an old, surplus cell phone, no sim card, but wifi works. That's my go to throttle for use at the club, and when we take our ON30 modular layout to train shows. During operation sessions at the club, we might have 10 or 12 operators, and our Raspberry Pi based JMRI control system works faultlessly. No running around finding a free Loconet port to plug a throttle in, jst pull out the spare cell phone, start Engine Driver, and hey presto. Thanks for the article, I'm about to start work on my new layout in a soon to be completed train room, and DCC++ EX will be the control system.

[@AlwaysCensored-xp1be]

Went to my local club for the first time yesterday, playing catch-up to their system. Lucky I am familiar with Pi and Arduinos. I do prefer Pico as they are smaller and cheaper.

[@836dmar]

This stuff can be a little intimidating to old school types. I’m only in my 50s but, having lived on both sides of cell phone life, I lean old school. You do a great job explaining the basics of this. Sounds like the DIY part will bridge the gap and increase DCC converts. Thanks!

[@robleathley6024]

Replaced my NCE PowerHouse Pro 5amp radio system with DCC-EX running on an Arduino Mega with Hans Tanner’s Red Hat and 5amp powershield. It works great and have had no problems. DCC-EX is the way to go!

[@lebryantjohnson7306]

Much cheaper too

[@robleathley6024]

@@lebryantjohnson7306 I was able to buy some other stuff with what I got from the NCE system. Win-win for me!

[@paulantoine1696]

We like to call it "affordable"... ;-)

[@melkitson]

Absolutely amazing how technology has developed over the years. Thank you for all the information.

[@petegsx]

This is a fantastic video Jimmy and the DCC-EX team really appreciate it! As a bonus, we've just released version 5 of EX-CommandStation this week too, thanks for all your content you share on here, I absolutely love it!

[@billramp6593]

I just purchased everything last week for dcc EX and was VERY impressed with how quickly I got it set up and running. Looking forward to trying all the features currently available and coming down the pipeline.

[@fredashay]

I use the MRC Wireless system. I know many people don't like MRC because they're "big tech" and their system is proprietary, but I like the design of the controllers.

[@dougbuchanan9434]

Super thanks to the DCC++EX people 😊

[@SlayR1101]

Holy! They have added a lot in the last 2 years!

[@paulantoine1696]

We have been very busy for a small bunch of volunteers spread around the globe ;-)

[@911porsche]

I have been a DCC EX fan for sometime as well on my second system w an wo raspberry pi and JMRI. But this video still pointed out some great stuff. Well done!!! You are a great resource for the hobby.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I haven’t ever heard of this system. The nearest I can find here in England is the LD101.

[@Juliano-mk2fb]

Thanks!

[@averageguy7136]

Jimny, I totally appreciate all your videos. I've learned and amazing amount from you and have been inspired to build my own model n-scale. Thank you so much for your videos.

[@edwardaudet8367]

I was starting to comment on your video, when my internet went down, it does so several times a day. And they can't seem to fix it. So I'm looking for a new internet provider. But the video you just did was fantastic. I have to say, I gleam new ideas every time. I liked your advice about a cheap tablet. I got one from Walmart for 69 bucks, it's an android tablet, and it will run engine driver. My set up for DCC-EX the new 5-amp motor card, the Wi-Fi card, but I do use a computer plugged into the Arduino (Raspberry Pi with JMRI). When I program a train I use my old faithful Sprog - Pi one works like a charm, I just copy over all my setups to the other Raspberry-Pi 4B. On occasion I do use a laptop, I find it easier on the Arduino Mega. I have to say the fellows from DCC-EX are full guns ahead. Your so right on the money Jimmy!! I think DCC-EX may become a standard that others will follow. One more thing I have my whole setup in an old PC power supply, I used the fan on it to keep it cool, The old pc was from a gaming PC that bit the big one.

[@DCCEX]

In a bit of friendly cooperation, SProg programmers from the last year or so use our technology to to CV reads and writes. ;)

[@linuxpirate]

I've been loving my Raspberry Pi 4 + Pi-SPROG + JMRI system. Thinking about adding a touch screen directly to the PI for an "all in one" approach otherwise I need to use an app/other computer to actually interface with JMRI.

[@jamesthomas7724]

Would love to see a video on the DCC Ex motor shield

[@towaWPI]

Full video on the new shield please!

[@johnbanicki7232]

Thanks for sharing.

[@KenN.OXN.805]

I’m thinking of using my old nano since I’m only wanting to replace my pr3 xtra for the programming track and not run a layout. Just have to get off my seat to order a motor shield. Thanks for sharing. Here’s a donation for your fund to the dcc++ ex kitty

[@DCCEX]

The Nano will severely limit you. We have strived to keep a version that will still run on an Uno and a Nano, but you will have to live without WiFi, or Ethernet, and our full HAL accessory capability. We do have a way to run small EXRAIL scripts. If you are using JMRI as your throttle through the USB port, then go for it, otherwise, we strongly recommend an ESPDuino32, Arduino Mega 2560, or Elegoo Mega 2560.

[@KenN.OXN.805]

@@DCCEX Wow! Never expected response from one of dcc ex people! Currently, I use either a digitrax pr3 xtra or an esu cabcontrol connected to a windows laptop using usb to program non loksound decoders on a programming track mode. Because of some odd behavior when testing settings using the pr3 xtra, I’ve had to resort to using the esu cabcontrol in place of the pr3. I thought the arduino uno (misspoke when I said I would use a nano, but sounds like both have the identical limits) may function better than the pr3 for a dedicated programming Command station used the way I’m using it?

[@DCCEX]

@@KenN.OXN.805 The way you are using it is perfect for a programming station, so give it a try. And thank you for supporting us! :)

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I have been using DCC-EX for over a year as well. I just recently got it set up and working with an ISE ProtoThrottle. And that was a fun little project to do. I did a video on that if you want to check it out. I ALMOST bought one of their motor shields. I probably should have but I have a stack of spare 2amp shields sitting around that I got a great bulk deal on.

[@Cloudman572]

Can you stack a 2nd one of the 2A motor shields on top of the first to give 4 districts with 2A each (or 3 districts plus a programme track)?

[@Trains-With-Shane]

@@Cloudman572 I think that is possible but not certain. It would take some custom code to make work. Best to ask that in the DCC-EX chat.

[@Cloudman572]

@@Trains-With-Shane Ok thanks.

[@DCCEX]

@@Cloudman572 Yes, that is why we included jumper configuration pads on the shield. We will be posting more information about how to do that on the website with the release of 5.0 in the next couple of weeks.

[@Cloudman572]

@@DCCEX Brilliant, thanks to you and all the team for what you are doing.

[@SleeTheSloth]

Love it! My MRC hand helds are wherrying out. I'll most likely be using Engine Driver with my MRC WIFI unit. However the MRC base station and booster R going on 17 + years now. Got my money out of that one I did. :)

[@MarksGoneWicked]

A new video with a different motor shield would be great. I was considering getting the 8A motor shield mentioned on the website. I bought 2 of the wifi shields. One for my N scale layout, and I haven't decided if I'll use the second one on a small garden railroad* or my bigger garden railroad. I recently bought a raspberry pi for JMRI too. Also, was planning on getting an 8" tablet from Walmart to run engine driver. *I have an old LGB set that I'm considering adding a Massoth decoder.

[@Cloudman572]

I have not tried it but I did come across this video showing issues with the speed of the raspberry. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmTUiXeoncifjpI On the other side @linuxpirate has commented here that he has no problems.

[@LordPhobos6502]

I have an NCE system, which I am happy with, but... I am *really* impressed with this DCC EX system! As an arduino fan, this ticks all my boxes.

[@paulantoine1696]

I recently sold a unit to someone with an NCE PowerCab... he's keen to run more trains with the higher current capability, and have friends use their smart phones to join him in operating sessions.

[@revealingfacts4all]

this is so cool. I have been working on my own system much like this. I support DCC and I am also experimenting with 2 way communications with the locomotives and decoders installed in rolling stock and animations (lights, garage doors, switch machines, etc...). I am using CAN bus which isn't the best choice but due to availability of on chip hardware it mostly works. This, of course, requires me to install a new decoder in the engine to handle CAN. I have no problem open sourcing it if folks are interested. Since I'm a one man show with it all, it's likely very rough around the edges. I have been studying the NMRA specs. In particular their 9.3.2 spec on bi-directional communications aka RailComm and as an embedded electronics and software guy, I can't say I'm all that impressed. I really want to see the hobby go a different direction than this barbaric railcomm protocol and adopt either a CSMA/CD type protocol or some other non polling solution.

[@cault6902]

Please do an updated build guide with the new hardware, and an aside with the screen. Thanks for all the help with getting some of us into dcc!

[@shiveringtim]

Can you share the STL for your enclosure? Is that something you designed or something found out in the common STL sharing sites? Great work, btw! Love your channel and I've learned a lot from your videos. Definitely following your advice and tips when it comes to geeking out my layout. :)

[@caryhocker]

Great video, thanks. Would love to see you add a fan to the custom case. Is the current case available somewhere now?

[@odilemahot2011]

Are we able to use other dcc components with others like digitracks commaned with say NEX components ??

[@user-wg6tm3il2z]

Jimmy, thanks for all you do!! You mentioned it early in the video but could you do/redo a video with the A to Z on the DCC++ex system??? I know it would be quite a bit of work but no one explains things like you do.

[@troysimpson9550]

THANKS for the great info Jimmy. I use this system to as a stand alone and with a RasPi runing JRMI and it works great. I have a question, I sometimes have an issue reading/reprograming decoders using my 12v power supply. Have you had these same issues?? I have found that sometimes I need to swap out the power supply for a 15v-16v PS to have decoder programing functions work. Most Motor boards seem to be limited to 12v and I worry about damaging them when running higher Voltage. What are your experiences and any suggestions? Thanks in Advance. =)

[@dyna-2016]

good morning, please make a video on the high power motor shield, I bought 2 of them and would like your instruction

[@le1810]

Hi Jimmy, I've been following your youtube channel for some time and have now statrted to build my layout, i am going to use the DCC EX system as it has great functionality and inexspensive. my layout is being built on seperate boards so that i can lift them to work on, laying on my back at 60+ fine its just getting up is an issue. i have daisy chained 9685's one for each board to allow for various control options. Now heres the question, I want to indicate point direction on a mimic board, just using switch position, no feedback required, but need a detailed explanation on how to fit multiple I/O boards to the base command unit. a video on this would be great. Thanks from a wet and dismal UK just down the road from Ribblehead viaduct

[@modelrailroader369]

@Jimmy, amazing video and great work! I just purchased everything last week and got it setup with that video 🙂. Can you share the STL for your case? Is that something you designed? Thanks a lot

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

wow there is soo much to get used to and understand... and program and do etc just to make a train run on a track.. I think ill just stick to my DC layout thanks...

[@tomato383]

I have a digitrak doc system would I be able to use non digitrak decoders on the digitrak system

[@Beliar275]

Do you plan to release a video about adding that I2C 2 line display and what code changes are needed? .. And I'd also love to get the STLs for the case - please with added fan as it gets very hot here. I followed your video about building up the simpler DIY DCC++ system using Arduino uno and L298 motorshield .. I'm a bit miffed that the EX Motorshield is currently out of stock... Hope to "upgrade" my system soon(ish). Thanks for your videos, they are a big inspiration to continue with our hobby

[@markg890]

I'd like to see a Raspberry Pi Pico port for DCC-EX(+?). I have a suspicion that the DCC encoding could be offloaded to the PIO (Programmable I/O). And the $6 Pico-W has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and more flash storage than needed (2MB). All you would need is a motor controller.

[@AlwaysCensored-xp1be]

I will be looking for that. Have a bunch ofPi's n Pico's no Arduinos.

[@NICSUSE]

Hello! Jimny, thank you very much for your sharing, I have a request, can you explain the installation and use of DCC EX‑Turntable. Thanks!

[@robertmyers5269]

Ok Jimmy, I bit. I've been following DCC++EX and your videos about it for some time. It's always been on my 'get around to it someday' list. I think I've pretty much have everything lying around except a motor shield, so I just ordered one from Amazon. I've got three NCE and a Lenz (to support one of my clubs that uses them) systems. So I don't really need it, but...

[@dwightatnorthernstar1820]

would you recommend changing to a Mega if I only use it for a programming track???

[@nedmerrill5705]

Hi Jimmy: Were you able to use the automatic installer to add the LCD display, or did you need to fiddle with .h files and/or hand compile and load things? Thanks - DCC EX really is a game changer.

[@philp1072]

Great video! I would like to know what your opinion is of upgrading DC locomotives to DCC locomotives. Some have said it's not good because it's hard on the motors of the older engines

[@deshkumar9]

Hi Jimmy, really good video and I love DCC EX as its a game changer no doubt. Can you make a video on using an arduino mega that comes with a esp8266 shield installed in it. I n that way we can eliminate the use of a wifi shield. Just the arduino board and the motor shield. Is that possible.

[@brettwalden6343]

Hi Jimmy, great video. Can you do a video on the DCCEX v5 and how to connect straight to the arduino wifi and not your home network and how to switch between DCC and DC.

[@tiboore]

What are you using to control Kato turnout with Dcc ++ ex?

[@kleetus92]

So here's a question... has anyone done a physical throttle with this system yet? I'm looking at more old school actual wired buttons and knobs

[@dannydeaton2542]

Where are the links for the hardware purchase?

[@cdjhyoung]

This is basically amazing. Thanks for the update. You really got my attention with the information about using a game controller as a throttle. Two questions: how many throttles will the system support? I'm looking to be using in the ten throttle range for my next layout. Does DCC EX support Universal Consisting?

[@DCCEX]

The ESP8266 based WiFi boards support 4 throttles because they support 4 WiFi connections. If you go through JMRI, you can get more simultaneous throttles. We are looking at ways to enhance WiFi in the future and announced support for the ESPDuino32 boards ($7-10) that has the CS with WiFi on one Uno sized board. ST Micro Nucleo boards, one having 144 GPIO pins (~$20), are in beta testing now also.

[@pathvalleyrailroad9277]

I am sure they are working on the new Arduino R4, has anyone heard/seen anything on it?

[@philhamsher3977]

Jimmy, just started with JMRI and am getting boxes highlighted in RED. I'm sure that can't be good. What does it mean? I am trying to program a Bachmann EMD GP 40 decoder already installed by mfr. Is there a JMRI resource to ask these questions? Thanks for all the info you share with us.

[@philhamsher3977]

forgot to add I am running a DCS52 .

[@lutzmuller5703]

Hi, I didn't quite understand how the whole thing works. With an analogue system I have two cables that go to the rails, how exactly is the motor shield connected? Do I understand you correctly that there is full voltage on the track and the direction and speed are set by the frequency? Greetings

[@Kevincsmith0708]

You will disconnect your current AC Transformer from your tracks and place it in a box, Then connect a pair of wires from the motor shields A channel to those Tracks. This will give you one District/track to assign as a DC track with a Cab# address from 1 to 10239 as that tracks throttle number. This could match your Analogue engines road number from the side of its Cab. You can then also connect a pair of wires from the motor shields second channel B to a separate insulated District/track and assign it as a DC track with the Same Or Different Cab# address from 1 to 10239 as that tracks throttle number. And drive either one Loco from track A to B If there the same Cab# address, or drive Two Separate Cab#, one on track A and one on Track B, both simultaneously from the same Engine Driver Throttle with Two different selected Loco# loaded into two separate throttles. On a multi-meter set to DC, the track voltages vdc is detected as as 0zero, with the throttle speed 0zero, and it increases as you throttle up to the max vdc of your Laptop power supply, i.e., 12vdc for Z & N scale and 14-16vdc for HO scale. See DCC-EX version 5.0+ new TrackManager features. dcc-ex.com/trackmanager/index.html#gsc.tab=0 Regards, Kevin DCC-EX Dev Team

[@mgar2112]

Just waiting for the motor shield from Tindie and then I'll be ready to build. Does your case also accommodate the wifi-shield? Are you going to share the .stl (pretty please) ? Oh and yes, a new video that covers the new DCC-EX motor shield, not having to cut the VIN and use just one power adapter would probably be really helpful for many I'm sure. Thank you for your fantastic videos! You rock!

[@DCCEX]

It's on the way today ;)

[@mgar2112]

@@DCCEX Fantastic service!😄

[@mikeseba7817]

👍👍👍

[@LifeOfRiley2166]

Is there a way to use controllers from Digitrax to control DCC EX?

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I believe there is. Look up the IOTT stick. The guy who has designed it I believe can connect DCC EX to loconet.

[@bbubarker]

I thinkm you need to revisit current costs. I dont think you can make one under $50 anymore

[@matyasselmek3673]

I was wondering if you have to have original Arduino Mega or not, since I can't find original Arduino Mega with normal price (they start at 85 euros for some reason) and was thinking about using Arduino Mega clone.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

I almost always use clones. Elegoo is my favorite.

[@matyasselmek3673]

@@DIYDigitalRailroad Thx for the response, I was also looking at other motor shield drives and was trying to find one rated at least at 5A since shipping from UK would be quite expensive and lengthy, and in Slovakia we have hefty import taxes and it would cost me about 80 euros for the motorshield drive itself. What exactly should I be looking for for the motor shield drive to be compatible? I found one (Cytron MDD10), but on DCC EX website there is nothing about it.

[@jerrysmith1929]

Has anyone tried using the new Arduino R4 in place of the Mega 2560?

[@davefalkenburg3276]

Not supported at this time (I asked)

[@jerrysmith1929]

@@davefalkenburg3276 Somehow I'm not surprised. They seem very wedded for life to the Mega 2560 board.

[@davefalkenburg3276]

@@jerrysmith1929 just not the top of the list- I may know someone who is going to look into at least seeing if the R4 minima could be used. Evidently some of the developers don’t like some of the hardware choices for the R4 WiFi.

[@jerrysmith1929]

@@davefalkenburg3276 I've seen a few in the Arduino community also are unhappy with the R4 because of hardware choices or naming it an Uno. Hans Tanner over at the IOTT You Tube channel, has what he calls the IOTT Stick (which is a M5stickC he has programed). He employs it with his AuxShield on an Uno R3 to build a DCC EX command station. The IOTT Stick (in addition to doing other things) eliminates the wifi shield recommended for a command station. Because the M5stickC and the Uno R4 both utilize an ESP32, it suggests to me the R4 wifi could be used for DCC EX. But I'm a noob to this so I easily can be mistaken.

[@RonStanek]

How's RailPro???

[@ethanandrews1230]

Suggestion: mapping DCC controls to Atari 5200 controller

[@DCCEX]

Good idea. It would be possible to build an interface. There are a few DIY throttles now, including ones with touch screens. Of course, some commercial throttles work with EX-CommandStation too, like the UWT-50 and UWT-100.

[@jimhyslop]

At about 2:40 when you read the CV, the jump forward is a tad disconcerting.

[@paulantoine1696]

All locos respond differently based on which decoder is installed and its firmware... the motor has to wiggle to create a current draw which is used to read the CV. GOOD decoders alternate the motor wiggle between forwards and backwards so it jiggles on the spot instead of jumping in one direction.

[@rickmiller595]

JMRI?

[@wolfganggosejacob779]

Motor Shield in Europe: Product Retired .This product is no longer available for sale. The seller may be offering an improved version or it may be hanging out on the beach, enjoying the retired life.

[@1babysag]

I do not have time for all of the work. Besides, I am electronically ignorant. I will stick with Digitrax.

[@paulantoine1696]

I understand the feeling, but you can't be completely ignorant or you wouldn't be able to use the Digitrax! Seriously though, I think you'll be impressed with what the DCC-EX team has coming.

[@jacobcote1]

I’m a Freshman in highschool. I built this thing in under 2 hours. If I can do it, you can do it.

[@charlesmcclure5994]

????????

[@freescopesdad]

Good for you Jimmy, but this is all light years beyond my abilities to grasp in any meaningful way what the heck you are talking about. I do run my n scale layout with DCC (ECoS) but I have no clue about arduino, jmri, ex, etc. I'm sure there is a group within the modeling community that is more than just interested (perhaps immersed) in the electronics/digital side of the hobby, and good for them. But for a regular guy like me, where programming a locomotive is challenging, it is all foreign. I would not even know where to begin or where to even find a roadmap.

[@DCCEX]

That's where the installer comes in, you snap the boards together and just run an installer. But easier still is to buy a full command station ready to just plug in from one of the dealers. You are right, some folks like to Tinker and build it themselves and other folks just want to connect one side to the wall, the other side to the track and go :)

[@rb66207]

Thanks!