#4.a - Assembling a DCC EX Command Station @DriverDTrains

Рет қаралды 13,653

Күн бұрын

@DriverD Trains #4.a - Assembling a Basic DCC-EX Command Station
Welcome to Driver D trains. Thanks for stopping by! I’m your host Driver D. Our conductor and brakeman Scratchy C went off to have a word with the yard master.
[Meow.]
In my last video - Designing the D-Saver - I showed you how I designed the small 1’ x 6’ HO scale switching puzzle layout I built on a shelf, that is my version of John Allen’s famous Timesaver layout. If you haven’t already seen that video, be sure to check it out!
• #3 - Designing the D-S...
In this video, I’ll show you how I assembled the basic hardware for a DCC-EX command station to control my trains using an Arduino Mega microcontroller. In the next video I’ll show you how to download and install the free DCC-EX software, and add some upgrades to the system.
Videos in this series:
Part 1: #4.a - Assembling a DCC-EX Command Station [**This video!**]
Part 2: #4.b - Installing & Configuring DCC-EX - • #4.b - Installing & Co...
Part 3: #4.c - Adding Wi-Fi to DCC-EX - • #4.c - Adding Wi-Fi to...
Part 4: #4.d - Configure DCC-EX Wi-Fi for Station mode - • #4.d - Configuring DCC...
Part 5: #4.e - Adding and LCD Display to DCC-EX • #4.e - Adding an LCD D...
Part 6: #4.f - Correcting the Wi-Fi Firmware for DCC-EX [**Coming soon!**]
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Driver D trains!
02:40 DCC for the D-Saver
06:21 Assembling a Basic DCC-EX Command Station (Overview)
07:03 Step 1 - Get an Arduino Mega Microcontroller
09:34 Step 2 - Get an Arduino Motor Shield or Compatible Clone
11:42 Step 3 - Assemble the Arduino and Motor Shield
14:19 Step 4 - Wire Up the Track and Add Power for the Trains
19:29 What’s Next… Installing DCC-EX
20:13 Thanks for watching!
20:32 Credits
Products included in this video:
DCC-EX: www.dcc-ex.com
Arduino: www.arduino.cc
Command Station parts -
Elegoo Mega Rev3: www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-ATmega2...
Koobook Rev3 Motor Shield: www.amazon.com/KOOBOOK-Shield...
(Note: These may be refurbished Deek Robot boards.)
5.5mm x 2.1mm screw-terminal barrel connectors: www.amazon.com/Power-Connecto...
(There are many different listings for these. You want 5.5mm x 2.1mm center-positive.)
18ga solid core wire: www.amazon.com/BNTECHGO-Gauge...
9v power supply (otional): www.amazon.com/Adapter-Arduin...
(You only need this if you plan to locate your command station far away from any USB ports and don’t have a spare USB wall adapter and an old USB printer cable.)
12v 5amp power supply: www.amazon.com/LEDMO-Power-Su...
(This is the power supply recommended by DCC-EX for HO Scale. I found that some of my older locomotives that I converted to DCC almost 20 years ago don’t run well at this voltage.)
16v 4.5 amp power supply: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B...
(This is the one I ordered, and it works great, but it does not look like the photo. Currently listed as unavailable on Amazon, so I am including an alternate link for a 16v 3.5 amp supply.)
Alternate version listed 3.5 amps: www.amazon.com/UpBright-Adapt...

All aboard!
[Meow!]
DriverDTrains ©2023

Пікірлер: 41

@mollythedog6742 8 ай бұрын

This is the best DCC command station vid out there - just in time as my n- gauge track is arriving soon! thanks alot

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I just posted a new video about adding a Wi-Fi shield to the DCC-EX command station and am already part way through the next one. Have fun getting started on your n-gauge layout! Thanks again! DD

@vikingofengland 3 ай бұрын

Agree, nice and clear.

@scentgrasslakerailway 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for producing and publishing these DCC-EX videos, very helpful and informative! 👍

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. I hope to have the next one done soon. Thanks again! DD

@edwardaudet8367 10 ай бұрын

I had watched this video this morning, and I found it very informative, you really did a good job covering how to put a DCC-EX system together. I am really looking forward to the next chapter in tutorial. Thank You for such an excellent video.

@DriverDTrains 10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. I hope to have the next part on installing the software done shortly. Thank you again! DD

@alfaroinc1 6 ай бұрын

I am glad that I read this comment because I have the same thing, I am running 5 sets of trains on a three tubular track AC power, 2- ZW transformers. I had all of the components on Amazon cart and ebay to be order and desired to watch the videos again and read the comments and realized that I cant run AC power

@DriverDTrains 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind comments. I'm glad I was able to provide some timely information. While it may be technically possible to open up your locomotives and convert them to run on DC, it is not a trivial task, and would involve removing their existing electronics and replacing them with DCC decoders, which you would have to wire up to their motors, lights, etc. And you certainly would not be able to mix AC and DC locos on the same track. In any case, I'm I was able to provide some helpful information. Sounds like you have a great layout going there! Thanks again! DD

@paulantoine1696 10 ай бұрын

Very nicely done! Comprehensive, detailed and easy to follow. By the way, with the stranded wire you'll find twisting and then tinning the stranded ends with solder, making sure it wicks back up under the insulation, will then render it perfectly compatible with the screw terminal connectors and very robust. But you must make sure to tin it back up under the insulation. You'll then have nice flexible cable, and robust connections. 🙂

@DriverDTrains 10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks too for the tip about tinning the stranded wire. I will try that and report back how it works. Thank you again! DD

@ricarenado 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for creating and sharing these video tutorials.

@DriverDTrains 6 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am working on my next video and hope to have it ready soon. Thanks again! DD

@metsleeth5369 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for this well put together video. 👍

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I just uploaded another installment this morning. Check it out. Thanks again! DD

@dougs_trains 6 ай бұрын

Good video, very comprehensive. I was considering making a video of my experience with DCC-EX, but I think you have covered it pretty well, so I'll point people here.

@DriverDTrains 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for you kind comments and all the support. I really appreciate it. More videos coming soon! Thanks again, DD

@MrMagicFingers1 10 ай бұрын

Very well done! Your hard work shows and you have clear and concise content. I look forward to more, especially info on the DCC-EX motor shield. I have one but have not built my command station get. I'll wait for your series to start. Again... Great job!! - Tim

@DriverDTrains 10 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. I hope to have the next part on installing the software done shortly. It may be a little bit before I get to the EX-Motor Shield but I'll get there eventually. : ) Thank you again! DD

@waynemenard6229 10 ай бұрын

Awesome job with this video! I already had one going but this has got to be one of the most detailed videos I've seen. I also have the same display as you but can't for the life of me get it to work so please cover that part in detail in the next video. Looking forward to it.

@DriverDTrains 9 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. I plan to cover the WiFi Shield in the next video, and the LCD Display in the one after that. Regarding the LCD, you need to make sure this line is in your "config.h" file: #define LCD_DRIVER 0x27,20,4 Note that the commented-out version in the example config file is for a 2x16 LCD. // #define LCD_DRIVER 0x27,16,2 You'll also need to make sure the 4 jumper wires are plugged in correctly. I used the 4 pins on the motor shield (not the header socket) closest to the USB port. Then make sure you recompile and download the sketch after you have plugged in the display. Use the screw-adjuster on the back of the display to adjust the contrast/brightness. Hope that helps! Thank you again! DD

@chadportenga7858 5 ай бұрын

I'm thinking that, instead of solid core wire, use the stranded wire but tin the ends where it plugs into the screw terminals.

@DriverDTrains 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments. I had originally used tinned stranded wire with my DCC-EX setup, but found that it was difficult to get the tinned wire into the screw connectors on the motor shield, as it was a tight fit and the exposed wire had to be a very short length. So I ended up using solid core on the motor shield, and then stranded wire on the track feeder wires. The two halves are connected using barrel plugs. I may experiment with some other configurations in the future. Thanks again! DD

@alfaroinc1 6 ай бұрын

I have watch most of your videos and this is great. I am new to the hobby I ave bought a couple of train sets o scale can i be able to run my trains with DCC EX Command station

@DriverDTrains 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos and welcome to the hobby! Three-rail O-gauge trains like those from Lionel run on AC power, so you wouldn't be able to use DCC-EX or any other DCC system with those types of trains. Lionel has their own control system, but it only works with certain higher-end locomotives. There are 2-rail DC O-scale trains, and you could use DCC-EX with those, but they are much less common and I'm not personally aware of any that are sold in sets. Again, thank you and welcome to the hobby! DD

@alfaroinc1 6 ай бұрын

@@DriverDTrains I am glad that I read this comment because I have the same thing, I am running 5 sets of trains on a three tubular track AC power, 2- ZW transformers. I had all of the components on Amazon cart and ebay to be order and desired to watch the videos again and read the comments and realized that I cant run AC power

@user-jy2eo8gx6h 5 ай бұрын

Great video, very informative step by step instruction!! Do you know if this Will this work on G-Scale Loco's? I currently have Lenz Command Stations but I'm looking for another system for a display in my living room with a dedicated Gscale Steam Loco. I don't want to spend $500 on another Lenz, so this looks like a very in expensive alternative just to make a loco startup and move back and forth 1-2 feet. Also, do you know if there are any Arduino decoders?

@DriverDTrains 5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind comments. Yes, DCC-EX can control G-Scale locos as long as they are DCC-equipped and you have a suitable power supply. If you are using a Lenz command station then your loco is probably DCC-equipped (Lenz developed the pre-curser to DCC which the NMRA adopted to create the DCC standard). Since you only want to make 1 Loco move back and forth a bit, you should not need a significant amount or current; you just need sufficient voltage (probably 14-18V). You can find more info on power supplies here: dcc-ex.com/reference/hardware/power-supplies.html. If you later decide you want to run a longer train, you can swap out the motor shield for the EX-Motor Shield (when it's available) which supports higher current. Good luck and hope this helps! Thanks again! DD

@alex_vozny 10 ай бұрын

Go, bro ) waiting for new videos )

@DriverDTrains 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I hope to have the next part on installing the software done shortly. Thanks again! DD

@johnburnett5624 9 ай бұрын

Excellent presentation. I have 2 questions. 1. insteadf of cutting the vin terminal, can I cut out the pin itself? and 2. Instead of using the two power sources can I use one 19v computer power pack and two butt converters, one for the 15v and the other for the 16v. Great vid keep up the good work; looking forward to your next vid

@DriverDTrains 9 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I'm very glad you enjoyed the video. Regarding your 2 questions: 1. Yes you can cut the VIN pin on the motor shield if you prefer. Just make sure you identify the correct pin. I do have a couple of thoughts about it. Cutting the jumper trace is not hard, but if you don't have a meter to confirm that you have done the job then maybe cutting the pin might provide you more assurance. Also, while you can always undo cutting the jumper trace with a drop of solder, you can undo cutting the pin. On the other hand, the motor shield doesn't cost much to replace. 2. As for the power supply, if your computer adapter outputs 5v USB (not 15v), then you could use that for the Arduino Mega controller board, and use the higher voltage for the motor shield (via a barrel connector attached to the screw terminals). The recommended voltage specs for the Arduino Mega are 7-12 volts, although according to Arduino it can technically operate on up to 20 volts until it overheats. However, If using more than 12V, the voltage regulator may overheat and damage the board. Here are the specs for the Arduino Mega: store.arduino.cc/products/arduino-mega-2560-rev3 And the motor shield: store-usa.arduino.cc/products/arduino-motor-shield-rev3 Thanks again for your comments and questions! DD

@thewmreed 8 ай бұрын

What kinda of screen are you using for the base station and the same for your wifi shield as well. Thanks

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am currently working on a video for the Wi-Fi shield and hope to have that done soon. After that I will put together a video for the LCD Display installation. The Wi-Fi shield is the Makerfabs. I ordered it directly from them. It ships from overseas but the airmail postage is $6 so it's not a big deal. www.makerfabs.com/esp8266-wifi-shield.html The video will have more information about the configuration and how to use it. The LCD display I used is this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QLRD3TM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 When you hook it up, you need to make sure this line is in your "config.h" file: #define LCD_DRIVER 0x27,20,4 Note that the commented-out version in the example config file is for a 2x16 LCD. // #define LCD_DRIVER 0x27,16,2 You'll also need to make sure the 4 jumper wires are plugged in correctly. I used the 4 pins on the motor shield (not the header socket) closest to the USB port. Then make sure you recompile and download the sketch after you have plugged in the display. Use the screw-adjuster on the back of the display to adjust the contrast/brightness. Hope that helps! Thanks again! DD

@lutzwunderlich2003 2 ай бұрын

Hi DriverD, I am watching this series of videos from Germany and I find it very perfect and extremely detailed for all kind of experience. Recently I watched the last video (part f of the series) handling the new firmware for the Makerfabs Wifi Shield. I bought one some years ago and it works fine with the standard arduino motor shield. Recently I bought the new DCCEX motorshield. It works fine with my Mega2560 but I did not yet put the wide-field on this CS. I was trying to find out the firmware actually installed on the shield and I followed your instruction to use the EX Web throttle to get the firmware version. Unfortunately I got some response but no information about the AT version. My response looks a bit different (no RECEIVE at the beginning of each line). I got information on the DCCEX version and on the motorshield and it tells Wifi ok. Have you any idea what may be the reason of this different behaviour of my CS and why there is no information on the AT?

@DriverDTrains Ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments and questions. DCC-EX made some changes and I think that there are two things happening. 1) DCC-EX changed the way that the EX-WebThrottle app formats the information it receives. 2) DCC-EX made some changes to its WiFi handler and for some reason it is not responding as expected when we give AT commands such as the +GMR command to obtain the WiFi firmware version. However, the command station still sends out the firmware version number at boot up, so if you connect using the EX-WebThrottle app and wait for it to boot, then scroll up near the top of the debug console, you should see something that looks like this: [R] [R] [R] [R] [R] OK [R] [R] OK [R] [R] AT+GMR [R] AT version: [R] 1.7.4.0(May

@SkipRoGlo 9 ай бұрын

I run two small trains HO scale. I am a newbie to this hobby. I’d this DCC ex something I need or is this for larger layouts with many trains? Thanks

@user-tt9tf9ji6f 9 ай бұрын

@skipRoGlo This can be used for any size HO railroad. I haven't built a model RR in 15 years, My last being a 25' x 30 ' "U" shape, using the Digitrax system, at a high$$ cost back then. I have already completed the DCC-EX system shown, like they say VERY inexpensively, in preparation for my 4' x 6' layout. Using the 2560 for trains and turnouts, and a separate UNO clone for animations, special effects, and structure lighting. and for Power, I built a distribution center from an old PC power supply.

@SkipRoGlo 9 ай бұрын

@@user-tt9tf9ji6f thanks

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for your kind comments. My D-Saver "Layout" that I am using DCC-EX on is a 1'x6' switching puzzle on a shelf board, so you definitely do not need to have a large layout to benefit from DCC-EX. As the other poster mentioned, it is a very affordable way to add DCC to your system. For myself, I love to run light and sound-equipped locomotives, and I am always honking the horn, using the bell, and revving up the throttle even on my tiny little shelf. One of the reasons I wanted to go with DCC-EX is that I could use my phone and/or tablet to wirelessly control my trains. What I like is that I can label each button on the virtual throttle so I know what each button does for each locomotive. No more guessing which function is which kind of brakes, or which light. If you have a chance, check out a couple of my earlier videos (#1, #3) to see some clips of the trains in action. Thanks again! DD

@DriverDTrains 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind comments. Sounds like you've got a great setup ready for your new 4x6! Enjoy! Thanks again! DD