DCC++-

I know Paul ....... C'mon. We're all waiting .

 

Yep sir you got me, a JMRI user.

I tend to use routes to set the points.

If you go to your Turnouts table, do they work reliably



Click on the cmd button and that should toggle the position.

Its displaying unknown, as there is no position feedback, and I hadn't operated the points.

Many run a startup script to trigger all the points, both ways, then into the position required for the layout startup. This ensures the table shows the correct setting.

When you have configured your points in the table, then you can create the routes.



Clicking on the set button will activate the route.

To create the route (or edit it in the future)



Enter a name for the route, then select each point, and the required state it needs to be set to for the route. You can add sound files, and more importantly a delay between each point move. Can be helpful to allow capacitor discharge units to recharge, or allow a point to complete its movement before the next one starts.

Paul

 

The NCE tab, and in my case the MERG tab as well are there because of the USB interfaces, not tried the DCC++ as yet.

You then need to create your track plan (or import an anyrail track plan), then for each turnout identify the accessory decoder address for the point. As I am using standard accessory decoders, i.e. connected to the track bus, then the interface will be via my command station (NCE PowerCab), so they will be NCE addresses.



So from above NT = NCE Turnout, and the number is the accessory address, So NT6 is the point to access Platform 1 or the goods depot. NT100 sets the traverser to road A1.
I could get the same result by pressing the PowerCab accessory button on the handset, enter the accessory number then select 1 or 2 for Normal or Thrown.

Paul

 

Like I do on Luib Bridge with my procab throttle and turnouts.

 

Yesterday, I visited Fraser Smith (featured in the March 2017 MERG Journal), of which turn into the inaugural meeting of the Dundee or Angus MERG group.

A man definitely into the Dark side designing and making circuit boards.

He also had a small test track, with a couple of points giving 3 sidings, set up to provide a test bed for train control via detectors, point control etc, etc all using MERG kits, and JMRI as the glue holding it all together.

A great learning experience for me, and I know have a few tips stored away to complete the commissioning of my MERG CBUS CANACE8 input units for detection on Viccy Road.

Looking forward to the next meeting.

Paul

 

Hi

Unfortunately, I never got round to trying it, and have put my motor boards away in a safe place , probably in the loft which is even more worrying.

Colin and Bob (RedpiperBob) have had good results using DCC++, already having a working NCE PowerCab system, and moving to O gauge, my priority moved to uping to power available to +5A, there was no urgency for this, as if we were going to an exhibition then Toto's PowerPro system was available. With last years redundancy / early retirement I was able to purchase a secondhand PowerPro system. However, the DCC++ system may get another test as a stand alone progrmming setup on the workbench would be both affordable and useful, but not just yet.

Sorry not to have been of anymore help.

Paul

 

I look forward to hearing your results, as it must be around two years since I've done any Arduino programing.

I need to extract the finger, I have been starting to learn how to program PIC chips, with the aim of combining PICs and Arduino's for the Traverser control system, with the main control being handled by the Arduino (nano or Mega) and the input and feedback devices (Rotary encoder + OLED display) being managed by PIC devices all connected via I2C comms. The Arduino also having a DCC input to allow control from a DCC hand controller or JMRI.

Paul