DCC EX Enclosure System (Video

What I like the most about the Arduino based DCC EX system is the modular approach. Starting with a simple Arduino controller, you can stack up power boards or even a Loconet board, and the system can literally grow with the requirements. Unfortunately, not that much is available when it comes to enclosures. So I thought it is time to create a modular housing system that like the electronics, can be configured as needed.
If you like my work, please consider supporting it with a donation:
www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=Y2...
Modular enclosure system:
www.tinkercad.com/dashboard?t...
Tindie page for IoTT Stick, Interface Boards, Function Hats and Enclosures: www.tindie.com/stores/tanner8...
DCC EX information and Downloads: dcc-ex.com/index.html
MyIoTT.org (landing page under construction): myiott.org/
Table of Content
0:00 Start
0:40 Welcome
0:52 Build a Command Station
3:18 Frame System Intro
4:34 Base Module
5:00 Mega Base Module
5:55 Motorshield Frame
6:26 IBT-2 Powershield Frame
7:35 Header Frame
7:58 Blind Cover
8:25 RedHat Shield Cover
11:05 Download Module
12:10 Single Color Printing
14:18 Dual Color Printing
18:00 Locking the Enclosure
20:50 Create your own design
22:05 Buying Options
22:28 Summary

[@pierrelambert446]

This enclosure make a professional setup and a clean look.

[@IoTT]

Thank you, yes, that's the idea!

[@timmeneely2623]

With a full stack (Arduino, motor shield, DCC aux shield, Red Hat shield) I found fishing the hold-together wires through challenging. I used coffee stirrers (thin plastic straw type), pushed up from the bottom of the case, to act as temporary guides for the hold-together wires. That made assembly much easier. This system, including using wires to hold it together, is terrific - far and away the best enclosure system I've found for DCC-EX.

[@IoTT]

I like that idea! Another option is to cut the wires a little longer, so you can have more distance between the cover and the first frame to insert them. It's much easier if you can see where the wires are going ;-)

[@robleathley6024]

Absolutely brilliant! I love the modular aspect of your enclosure design. This will make printing enclosures for my versions easier. I also appreciate the spacer module. To clear my boards, I had to use additional spacers. This will make the build nicer.

[@IoTT]

Thank you. Yes, some additional room between the boards is sometimes useful.

[@timmeneely2623]

This is beautiful.

[@IoTT]

Thank you.

[@ClinchfieldModelRailroad]

Wow, very good work. From just an idea to something real.

[@IoTT]

Quite some fun, indeed ;-)

[@EsotericArctos]

I really like your modular case/housing system. I printed a case from Thingiverse, which had the slot for the LCD panel on it, but I find that the clips break fairly easily due to being so thin. The modular approach is a wonderful idea for these. Thank you for this :)

[@IoTT]

Thanks. These frames are using 4mm wall thickness, so they are relatively strong.

[@tonyclixby]

What a great idea

[@IoTT]

Thank you.

[@raymondwells5807]

The stacked enclosure might also be designed as "Data Centre Building" that exists as a structure model on the railroad.

[@IoTT]

Probably an option for N scale ;-) I like the idea!

[@donaldkormos5529]

Great work Hans!!! Happy Holidays ...

[@IoTT]

Thanks, you too!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

This modular design is genius! I'm going to have to mess around with these, myself, as I have been looking for a good enclosure for my DCC++EX stacks.

[@IoTT]

Thank you, go for it! If you come up with frames you think other people can use as well, you can send them to me and I can add them to the library.

[@geesharp6637]

That is incredible.

[@IoTT]

Thanks.

[@VE6inLloyd]

Elegant simple and effective. I can see some messing with my Prusa starting soon. Have you considered setting up a space where users can upload interesting designs? Both WiFi and LCD come to mind.

[@IoTT]

Thanks. I have to see if this is possible in Tinkercad, but it would be a good thing.

[@BrennerEraFan]

Could you make a video of all the shields you can stack on the Arduino Mega and that can be used for DCC++EX, as well as going more in depth about it?

[@IoTT]

Videos #113 and #117 would be a good starting point to get an overview.

[@BrennerEraFan]

@@IoTT Thanks, and, is there a video about adding a display to DCC-EX?

[@IoTT]

@@BrennerEraFan I'm sure there is, but not on this channel. Also check the information on displays on the DCC EX web page. DCC EX supports several I2C display. For me the topic is not of interest as the IoTT Stick has a display on it's own, and for more complex stuff, I built a web server into the Stick, so you can conveniently change all settings in a web browser. I don't know why I would punish the user to use a. a 2 or 3 line display. Browser based technology is ways more convenient

[@ewkco]

I just completed building my DCC-ex. Only thing I need to do is reflash the Wi-Fi board. I am looking to have this printed. (Don’t have a printer). Just curious, for those using this enclosure, with no ventilation does the Arduino get hot? That is my only concern.

[@IoTT]

The Arduino only uses about 50mA, so there is no problem there. What can get hot is the H-Bridge if a lot of track current is needed. But then there are vertical channels on the sides of the board along with gaps between frame and the various connectors so that some air convection is possible. So far I have not seen heat being a problem.

[@timmeneely2623]

In Tinkercad there's a Mega base, but I'm not seeing a Mega Base Frame - the "cap" for the Mega base. The one that's in the Mega figure looks like an Uno Base Frame. Am I missing something?

[@IoTT]

The Mega Base Frame has the same footprint like the other frames that come on top of the Mega. But it is different from the Uno frame as it has openings for the additional pin headers of the Mega. Then you can use the small cover to close the remaining part of the Mega, again it has two versions, one with, the other without openings for the pin headers.

[@timmeneely2623]

​@@IoTT My apologies - I was combining an error with a couple misunderstandings and wrong assumptions. I see my way forward now. Thank you.