DCC-EX Command Station with EXRAIL & TrackManager Part 1

Introduction to a Arduino Mega DCC-EX Command Station running
EXRAIL EXtended Railroad Automation Instruction Language,
and the newer underdevelopment TrackManagerTM with both DCCdistrict & DCdistrict features that allow you to either Manually control or Automatically control both DCC enable and Legacy Analog DC{PWM} locomotives though a single Command Station. Which can assign and control DCC engine and Analog DC engine Cab road number IDs from address #1 thru # 10239.
DCC-EX TrackManager dcc-ex.com/tra...
Also See DCC-EX EXRAIL Automation of a DCC Engine, Turnouts, Point Signals and a MP3 DFPlayer sound board.
DCC-EX Command Station with EXRAIL & TrackManager Part 2
• DCC-EX Command Station...
Using a Engine Driver WiFi Throttle {Android based} and a Tactile Magicsee R1 Joystick GamePad Bluetooth Throttle for both Engine and Layout Command & Control.
DCC-EX firmware v5.0 has since been released on Aug 7, 2023
Arduino Mega2560 Micro Controller
Arduino L298P Motor Shield dual track 2Amp {booster}, or a optional 5Amp EX-8874 Shield
Makerfab ESP8266 WiFi Shield
OLED 128x64 display
DFPlayer mini SD-Micro MP3 Sound Player
custom .MP3 Sound files
HRSC04 Ultrasonic Sensor for sensing people getting too close to the module
PCA9685 Servo/Signal board with SG90 9g servos and Red/Green LED point signals
both I2C bus for peripheral devices and Serial Tx Rx connectivity for WiFi and serial devices

[@averageguy7136]

I just converted from DC to DCC using DCC-EX. I couldn't be happier with it. Thank god for smartphone wifi throttles. As a software developer for over 30 years, I'm impressed with the reliability of the whole setup.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

We are glad you have such a great first time experience with DCC-EX. Be sure to keep up to date on the latest new developement enhancements with our soon to be released version v5.4. Which includes new EXRAIL Animation & Automation functions and support on newer more Powerful microcontrollers like the EspressIf ESP32 family of processors with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth chips. Kevin DCC-EX Dev Team

[@geraldstewart]

DCC-EX is getting better every day. Thank you TEAM for your hard work.

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

Well done Team. Such great work being done by the team

[@gpakrockz]

Super stuff mate :)

[@BriansModelTrains]

Simply amazing. It keeps getting better and better.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

My Feelings Exactly! 🤩

[@waynemenard6229]

Awesome video. Would love to see more "how to" videos on DCC-EX. I am messing around with 4.1.2 and having a blast but there are still some things that I have trouble with.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

Glad you like it, Come see us in discord support we can usually clear up troubles in a few minute, problems may take a few minutes longer, FUBARs in about an hour.😉 Here is a Part 2 DCC-EX Command Station v4.1 with EXRAIL Automation kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4iQZqFnbsp3hc0

[@tonyclixby]

Thanks for your video!! Inspirational!!

[@Kevincsmith0708]

You are most welcome, These videos are more than a year old and DCC-EX has more than doubled it's processing power and new device interface capabilities since then. If you are interested in finding out more look us up on discord DCC-EX support. Regards, Kevin

[@tonyclixby]

Cheers Kevin. I’m only a few weeks into setting up my first model railway. A lot to learn. I have managed to get onto the DccEx discussions on discord. I’m mostly into the automation rather than the modelling side.

[@brendanhannon1577]

Hi great video, thank you. Can you show how you connected the PCA9685 to the motor shield please.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

Hello Brendan, and Thank you. Connecting PCA9685 Servo Signal boards is very simple with four wires 5v, Gnd, SCL, SDA. The DCC-EX Command Station will automatically connect to and assign the first two boards with addresses 40 and 41 which gives you the capability to use virtual pin numbers vpin 100-115 and 116-131 respectively. dcc-ex.com/reference/developers/hal-config.html#pca9685-modules Regards, Kevin

[@jldelestre7156]

Very good job. DoO yoçu have a cpy oh the schematic shown during the intro ? Thanks

[@Kevincsmith0708]

unfortunately yutube doesn't allow me to attach a image. you can look me up KC Smith on the DCC-EX support Discord server discord.com/invite/y2sB4Fp

[@eecg23]

How do you run DC in DCC-EX? does the software support it or did you modify the code to change the motor shield from AC mode to DC PWM mode?

[@Kevincsmith0708]

Hello eecg23, 'How do you run DC in DCC-EX'? DCC-EX is now available in DCC-EX version v.5.0+ supports both DCC{PWM} and DC{PWM} Pulse Width Modulation modes as a embedded standard feature of the DCC-EX Command Station. No additional external DCC decoders are used to create or utilize DC{PWM} Tack assignments DCC{PWM} is detected on a multi meter as a AC signal but in square wave form Not as a sine wave DC{PWM} is detected on a multi meter as a DC signal in a square wave form Not as a direct current wave Using our New TrackManagerTM feature with simple easy command from a throttle or from a serial monitor we can change any insulated track from DCC{PWM} to DC{PWM} and back in real time. - valid DCC modes are MAIN & PROG and OFF - valid DC modes are DC & DCX and OFF. DCX is for Opposite Polarity of a track like NMRA modular layout track B which is wired Left rail +red and Right rail -neg. this allows a throttle on Track B set to DCX to operate in Forward and Reverse correctly for west bound engines. So, I can take a standard DC motor only engines CAB number on the side of the engine and assign it to one or more of up to 8 tracks/districts/blocks labeled A thru H then enter that same number into a Throttle and control that Loco Cab # on each and every one of the assigned tracks. +Valid Cab addresses are 1 to 10239. - Invalid Cab address is 0 zero. We do Not support 0zero stretch function, on purpose. Place any DC Cab on any proprietary DCC track and it will light up and huumm because it receiving a Dual DCC{PWM} aka AC signal. Place any DC Cab on our DCC-EX command Station with a TrackManager DC assigned track and it sits there dead quiet with lights off Until the throttle speed is increased in either direction and then lights up and begins to move. DCC engines with DC enabled CV decoder also sits quietly and when the throttle increased the Sound will turn on first then it will begin moving. You can throttle back until it stops but leave a little throttle speed on say 5% and the Sound will continue to play while it's stopped. Come chat with us in the DCC-EX Discord channel about TrackManager aka., DCdistrict which is planned to be released to the general public as version 5.0. dcc-ex.com/trackmanager/#gsc.tab=0 Hope this was helpful, Regards, Kevin

[@eecg23]

@@Kevincsmith0708 thank you very much for the information, I think I'll download the development version with that feature I was thinking to insert my DC PWM code in the DCC-EX code to support DC with DCC-EX station but you already did, that's great, I have more questions I'll ask them in Discord, thank you.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

@@eecg23 You are Very Welcome. And Thank you for Exploring DCC-EX and joining us on our Discord support channel. Look me up as 'KC Smith'

[@matthewesler8379]

​@@Kevincsmith0708 what is the Time line dc district released

[@Kevincsmith0708]

@@matthewesler8379 Hi Matthew, DCC-EX Command Station with TrackManagerTM includes Both embedded features of DCCdistrict modes of MAIN, PROG & NONE DCdistrict modes of DC, DCX & NONE It's currently in final Beta testing in the Development sub-branch under 'devel' v 4.2.22 We have a LOT of New features/enhancements inside this future release as v5.0+ above and beyond TM and we're in the process of deciding which of these other main features/enhancement to release with it at the same time, and which to hold back for further enhancement and devel testing. My guess is August 2023 as DCC-EX version 5.0. But you can download this 'devel' 4.2.+ release or all future Development Releases from DCC-EX.com > Downloads> Command Station Latest EX-CommandStation Unreleased Development Version, just click on [Development Version] button dcc-ex.com/download/ex-commandstation.html#latest-ex-commandstation-unreleased-development-version Thanks for your interest in DCC-EX and TrackManager dcc-ex.com/trackmanager/#gsc.tab=0 Regards, Kevin

[@DrDiff952]

Are you only using a single arduino?

[@Kevincsmith0708]

Sorry for the delay. Yes, in this video I'm only using One Mega2560 with a Makerfab ESP8266 WiFi Shield and a standard L298p motor shield to drive two separate insulated districts/tracks in either or both DCC and DC PWM modes. I have since upgraded the Mega2560 and added a second Stacked Std L298P motor shield providing 4 four separate DCC and or DC districts/tracks via v5.0 TrackManager feature. I've also added additional OLED displays for track power overload detection & display messages as well as Passenger Station Arrival & Departure displays.

[@paparoysworkshop]

Where did you get the Magic Seed Joystick? Been searching the internet, but can't find anything that looks like that. Edit: I found it. $16 dollars in the States, but $70 dollars ($79 with tax) here in Canada. This is a problem that plaques us all the time. There's no excuse for us having to pay such higher prices. And in case you are wondering, Walmart in the states will not ship to Canada.

[@Kevincsmith0708]

I bought three from Ebay last year. Since then there are a lot of clones being made and I have not tested them. But for $10 it might be worth your while to do so. I'm not sure where you are in the beautiful north, I guessed ONT. Take a look at this one www.ebay.com/itm/304723517666?shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId