I can remember when DCC first came on the market all those many eons ago but sadly never had the funds and layout build together at the same time. Now at 59 I am looking at getting back into the hobby and this seems to be the perfect idea for someone like me that has mobility issues now and being to automate so many features of a model railroad. Thanks for providing this much needed information.
Just set up my own DCC++ system today, theres no full layout to use it with yet, but I had two locos running up and down a peice of test track. I use it connected to my phone through JMRI on my laptop, which is super great and fall off a whale easy to use. Its so fantastic! I thought my NCE Powercab system on my other layout was great but HAAAAA. DCC++ Kicks its ASS. My new layout will only be able to run three trains at the same time. Two running round the layout and one shunting in the station area. But thats fine, it allows me to store multiple full trains on the same track in my staging area and makes wiring so easy.
Thanks, Jimmy! I've been using DCC++ since the original version and can find absolutely no reason to move back to a commercial package. The Arduino ATMega has really made it so robust. The only thing that I can recommend for consideration is DO NOT skimp on the power supply!
I only wish I hadn’t already invested so much in my digitrax system. I can’t wait for the easy way to use arduinos for crossing gates and signals. I know you’ve done vids on this before but it is very complicated for this old man! Keep up the great vids. I really enjoy your channel.
I have just gotten back into the hobby and considered staying with a DC layout. I spent years in the software and electronics industry and decided to keep that out of my model railroading. Then late last year I read an article on DCC++ on an Arduino with JMRI on a Raspberry Pi. Since I had several Pi's and Arduinos Unos I decided to give this a try. I love this system for DCC operations. For normal operations everything required fits on a small board or inside a small box. As a plus there is a version of the DCC++ code that has been modified to run DC locomotives. This is called DC++ and the only change is the code on the Arduino. This new DCC++ - EX does sound interesting. Thanks for sharing this information. Cheers - Larry.
Thank you Jimmy, another 2 great videos on DCC++EX this week! Two other things I really appreciate with the DCC++EX system on a MEGA are that: 1- you can still use a connection to JMRI on a PC, Mac, or Linux - [ I use a Raspberry Pi 3B+ (would buy a 4B 2Gb or 4GB if buying today)] and feed 40+ digital sensor inputs for track occupancy, and use an Arduino based CMRI connection with PCA9685 boards (£3 for 16 outputs) to control hundreds of servo motor turnouts (points) and signal lights for a low cost automation system and 2 - the improved automatic recovery from momentary short circuits (which used to trip out the DCC++ classic system) - it's worth the upgrade for just this feature alone in my opinion. Thanks for all your research and putting it across so clearly! Keep up the good work!
@@aliciahoflack138 you can use any sensor which has a digital output - the recommended method is to use a current sensor - Jimmy has a video on how to do this - you can use 8 sensors with an Arduino Nano. The inputs are set up using the DCC++ Tab in JMRI Panel Pro and Configure Base Station utility. If you want a slightly cheaper way you can use IR sensor modules - I still feed these into a Nano and use the Nano to provide persistence until the adjacent next block sensor is triggered. Or use LDR sensors with a Nano to provide the digital output persistence. If using optical / IR sensors, you do need to shield them from unwanted changes in ambient lighting though!
When I first looked at DCC++EX, I stopped cold because of the need to get different boards than what is typically used for DCC++. I already had what I needed for DCC++, and am a complete noob, so stuck with that. Thanks for your info, it helps me see going through the change to EX at some point is very worth it.
Jimmy I'm drinking the same coffee I did last time in the morning Nescafe Clasco. But obe good thing coffee isn't on the endangered list of stuff to drink, it suppose to be good for your liver. Well that's at least this week. I have tried both ways to set up DCC++EX. I have used the auto install method and it worked fine no problems, and the manual method. Which one do I prefer the manual method I feel like I did some of the work. I have to say you made a great video on the subject. The fellows at dcc-ex should include it on the channel too. It makes a lot of sense to the technological unable like so many of us.
I can see another use for this system. Right now LCC is trying to get a foot hold, but my limited experience is that LCC is somewhat expensive, and not at all easy to program (my training/background is electronics/firmware engineering). I would propose that for the few clubs who are experiencing lower response due to running many locomotives and many DCC controlled turnouts, instead of LCC, would be to have 2 separate DCC systems on the layout, One for motive power, and One for turnout/accessories/signals. At this price it is very doable. Everybody will understand how to use it. I have always used NCE and they sell a "mini panel", which can do all the DCC commands but does not have a keyboard or display. I can see this as being a great addition to the DCC++EX for the stationary decoders on any layout. I would like to try to make an addon like that myself.
I'm interested. I went from DC to DCC o. A Digitrax Zephyr to NCE PowerCab because the local club is NCE. I really want to do automated crossings triggered sound effects using sensors and this seems to be the way to go.
I'm sticking to the old standard (DC). For electronics to me are like garlic to a vampire. (I'm not electronics savvy and more likely to screw it all up).
Hi Jimmy, I was wondering if u could do an example of a bigger layout with dcc-ex. I was wondering do the block detectors connect to the arduino uno or do they connect to the dcc-ex main unit. Or do the block detectors connect to the arduino unos then the unos connect to the main unit? Thank u!🤗
Seems a lot of work for a25-30 year old tech, lets leave dcc and go wireless to and from the loco direct, plus onboard battery with just charging sections of track. with two way coms lots of other options. makes reverse loop so easy!!!!! etc etc-------
OK, show me where I can get a battery and wireless unit into an N scale 4-4-0 and I might believe you. Reverse loops are easy. Many Auto Reverse modules available simple to install. DCC is so simple wire, I chuckle when people claim it is difficult.
Hi Larry, how many single track loops can you hook to the DCC - EX? I have two tracks, one inside the other running around my basement. The layout is around 110 ft long and anywhere from 2' ft to 4 ft wide. How would I wire the layout?
The low cost is of great appeal for someone such as myself on very limited retirement income. As a non-IT person, however, you haven't convinced me this path is preferable over the SPROG product.
I have many of the sprog products as well as many of the commercial DCC systems. Price is a big factor and yes it still has it's limitations. It's not meant to be a complete replacement.
I've tried making one today and my wifi module doesn't seem to work, when I started it up first time a lamp flashed really quickly so I know it's connected and it makes a wifi signal but the arduino isn't detecting it, it'd the 8 pin thing and I've checked all my wires with a tester, it's just not detecting it
The installer didnt work for me kinda set me back when i tried to connect jmri. Downloaded arduino and did the script. And ya its midnight im having a beer
Wish I was younger , I'd jump on this. My old mind just can't get into programming. I was wondering if they have a fast clock program with multiple clocks?
I recently got interested in model trains, started off with Zero1 controller which I got to work. Now Im having ago at DCC++ex and am having problems. I think I have loaded the program to my Mega correctly, but when I try to loading to theJMRI roster I get a 308 error. Question when I load the sketch using the ex installer it ask do you want OLED/LED network wifi etc, which one should I choose if for now Im just going to use the Mega connected to my computer?
I'm new to the DCC++EX systems, something I want to do, no, something I NEED to do is run a large currently DC layout that is split in 2 electrically and has 7 Throttles on assigned power districts. The layout is set up for operations and through 2 Dispatchers and the Yardmaster up to 7 Throttles are assigned though right now only 3 or 4 are able to run trains at the same time with a creative expert Dispatcher. So how can I make DCC++EX Basestation work with multiple locomotives or Throttles? I assume current cell phones that can run Engine Driver are still good, but how many per DCC++EX Basestation? Signaling and Transponding are definitely impatiently awaited. Remote control of turnouts and other line equipment. Thank you
Right now to have multiple throttles you have to use JMRI....DCC++ex can only handle 4-5 wireless throttles using engine driver....cannot do/use other throttles at this time. It's not like digitrax nce etc
Thank you. Where can I find the information necessary for combining DCC++EX and JMRI? Not to long ago I saw a wireless DCC++ throttle, is that easily compatible and added to a DCC++EX system? Once I get the hang of this I'm looking forward to track signals and transponding.
Don't bother with DCC++EX. I can not get anything to work. JMRI Decoder pro doesn't wortk and I keep getting a withrottle error when trying to pair my cell phone or tablet via wifi to my base station. Getting ready to purchase DIGITRAX syswtem because NOTHING WORKS and can't get it to work!!!!!
