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Video - Automating One Train

April 13, 2017

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DCC++ Controller

The first job is to build the DCC++ Controller. What follows is my "how to" guide that i've already shared with a couple of friends. My Shopping List Arduino Uno http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arduino-UNO-Rev3-R3-Development-Compatible-Board-ATMEGA328P-CH340-with-USB-Cable-/381810859511?hash=item58e5b35df7:g:hf0AAOSwPCVX~dLS £5.29 Motor Controller (IBT-2) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G419-Semiconductor-Motor-Driver-Auto-BTS7960-43A-H-Bridge-PWM-Drive-For-Arduino-/232212824917?hash=item3610f68355:g:pvAAAOSw9GhYgx-V £10.48 2N2222 Transistor http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20pcs-Transistors-10-x-2N2222-NPN-10-x-2N2907-PNP-TO-92-Package-/141788032386?hash=item210339ad82:g:ZCQAAOSw0HVWCrfX £1.19 A power supply Any 12-18v power supply should do the trick. Mine’s 18v 10A. You will need AT LEAST one amp, better to have more. £15.00 ish Some 1K resistors http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carbon-Film-Resistors-1-4W-0-25W-Full-Range-of-Values-Various-Pack-Sizes...

The Network Grid

The central software will run on a PC, and it will talk to a grid of Espduino microprocessors which will do the bidding. They will be responsible for all points and for all sensors. The Espduino is similar to an Arduino, but it's based on the ESP8266 processor. It's got built-in WIFI, so it can power up, connect to a WIFI network, and then connect to the central command software. Here's an Espduino, yours for as little as £6 from china, or £10 in the UK. It has 16 digital pins, but some of them have some odd behaviours, so it seems only about 8 of them are reliably usable. 8 pins is perfect to power 4 sets of points, so it seems like i will use one of these for every 4 sets of points.

How does it all connect up?

A couple of questions have been asked about how i all hangs together, so this post lists out all the modules and what connects to what. Central Command Software This runs on a Windows 10 PC and is written in .NET. It is responsible for making all decisions about trains and points, and in future will also cover signals. The windows PC is connected to my home network, and does not physically connect to anything. The program i call "Rail Relay" sits there waiting for connections from slaves. Slaves are either point controllers or the DCC controller. Sensors are dealt with by the points controllers. DCC Controller The DCC Controller is DCC++ powered by an Arduino UNO and a 43A H-Bridge. This just looks like a circuit board and has no human interface at all. Train commands must be sent to it over a 2 wire serial connection. Most people use a bit of software like JMRI, but I talk to it directly from my software. The Arduino UNO does...

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Video - Automating One Train

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