Let's learn together - Locobuffer! (DCC model railway with Arduino 7)

[@scentgrasslakerailway]

Thank you Luca, very-well-presented!

[@lucadentella]

Thanks! Glad you like it!

[@AntonioLopes-on4pe]

Dear Luca, Thanks a lot for posting this video. This is exactly what I was looking for. Although my current setup is different, in the sense that I have a Märklin CS2 as main station, I'm also managing my layout using Rocrail, and I want to use Loconet to transmit (to the PC with Rocrail) the information of my occupancy detection devices (based on current sensors). This will allow me to get rid of the dreadful S88 bus that I, for some reason, am unable to make it work (nothing against it...). I'll definetely give a try to your locobuffer. Kind regards, António

[@lucadentella]

Thanks for your comment Antonio, let me know how it goes!

[@AntonioLopes-on4pe]

Hi Luca, Already ordered the PCBs and the components, as well as other Loconet Arduino shields from ArCoMora. As soon as I have everyhting setup and tested, I'll leave a feedback. Eventually on video.

[@AntonioLopes-on4pe]

Hi Luca, Finally I received the components and assembled the Loconet master, as well as the Loconet shields from ArCoMora. Unfortunately I cannot get the communicatio to work. Initially I've used Rocrail, but no sensors lit. I moved to JMRI, but still no success. Finally I build one of your Arduino Loconet shields and connected it to a second Arduino with a simple button input (which I saw that's working with the Arduino serial monitor), but it still doesn't work. I fiddled around with the baud rates, to make sure I got the same on the two shields, as well as on JMRI. I even removed the current source shunt, and placed it back again. Still not working. Loconet cable should be fine as I tested it with the multimeter (continuity check). Do you have any suggestion on how to test the Loconet Arduino main master interface? I mean, I know there are a lot of variables here, but do you have any idea what could be failling? Thanks in advance for your support. Kind regards, António

[@AntonioLopes-on4pe]

Hi again, Problem solved!😃 It was just a simple matter of adjusting the USB com port BAUD rate on the PC settings. It was set per default on 9600. Changed it to 19200 and now everything is working fine, also in Rocrail. I'll move now on to the next step, which is installing all the ArCoMoRa shields and setup the occupancy detection network. Best regards, António

[@paxan_boy_next_door]

Hello! Can you clarify by the pins of the Arduino board, is TX plugged into port D7 and RX into D8 or is this incorrect? What ports can I use? and you still can’t tell me how in Rocrail you can see all the devices connected to loconet and whether it’s possible to see loconet messages. Thank you!

[@lucadentella]

Hi, by default the library uses PIN6 as TX (but you can change it in the init method), while you have to use PIN8 as RX. As far as I know there's no way to "discover" Loconet devices, while if you want to see raw messages, the easiest way is to use the "LoconetMonitor" example provided with the library

[@pillaroftruth2830]

will this Loconet interface drive tortoise switch machines or can it be programmed through the Arduino Uno to drive Tortoise switch machines?

[@lucadentella]

Hi, the purpose of a Loconet interface is not to drive switches but to connect the Loconet bus to your computer. You need an accessory decoder for that.

[@ErikKral]

Hello Luca, thank you for this great project. Do you also plan to create a LocoBuffer interface as an Arduino shield? One that you can directly put on top of an Arduino?

[@lucadentella]

Hi Erik, yes in the same github repo you can find (see tutorial #5 for links) a standalone interface and also a shield one

[@ErikKral]

@@lucadentella I saw that shield indeed, but I think that is the version without power and without bus termination. I think that this is needed to use it as a master....

[@lucadentella]

@@ErikKral that's a "master" shield but it can be used also as a regular interface

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

Hello, do you have a document with all the components required. ?

[@lucadentella]

Hi, in the github repo (link in the description) you can find eagle files and pdf documents with the details for the master interface used in this video, let me know if I missed something

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

Luca Dentella cool I assume all 1/4 watt resistors? Also why type of power plug are you using on the board?

[@lucadentella]

@@ModelRailroadTechniques yes 1/4w are perfect! The power plug is a standard female 2.1 jack plug (but 2.5 fits as well)

[@ModelRailroadTechniques]

@@lucadentella Hello, I have all the parts for the Master Interface. However, I can not work out what the RS PUP is. Can you assist? Thank you kindly.

[@lucadentella]

@@ModelRailroadTechniques it enables the pullup resistors for the loconet bus as explained in the video