Arduino tehNiq

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

How to test NEM652 decoder with "DCC ready" board

A few weeks ago, I posted article named "DCC ready" board for classical locomotive (DC loco) where it presented how can be use the "DCC ready" board

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I'm beginner in DCC so I try to show you how can test a NEM652 decoder on a DCC ready board. Later, I'll show you how you can install the decoder in your locomotive.

For add the NEM652 decoder on DCC ready board you must remove small 8-pin board and connect the decoder:

- initial

- remove 8-pin board

- add NEM652 decoder, with correct position

I found some info about the NEM652 decoder:

- ROB’S RAILS: Article 9 - Blue Rapier DCC and Lights Upgrade

- LaisDcc Decoders Manual

In order to test the decoder I used info and files from https://dcc-ex.com/index.html.

I used for tests:

- 0-30V/0-10A power supply (set to 12V voltage & 2A maximum current)

- Arduino Mega board (clone)

- Arduino Motor shield (clone)

- LCD1602 display + i2c interface (added later)

First I cut trace for VIN as in article from https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/assembly.html

- initial (using a DMM on diode domain, test if resistance is near 0Ω)

- after (using a DMM on diode domain, test if resistance is big, OL - open load on display)

I used easy way using installer for sketch in Arduino as in article from https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/installer.html

For controller (Throttle) I used a web throttle as in article from https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/controllers.html

using as 3 = default number of adress of the NEM652 decoder.

I used an Automatic white/red light for analog locomotive (DC) instead DC motor:

I make a video named test a DCC decoder (NEM652) with Arduino Web Throttle where I presented how I used the Web Throttle and how react board with NEM652 decoder.

Later, I added LCD1602display with i2c interface and I used again installer. Decimal address is 63 for 3F as hexa number for i2c interface adsress

On display of command station is shown logo

or state of decoder

Adapter board + NEM652 decoder + bicolor led as "locomotive" and Arduino Mega + Motor Shield + display as command station:

- forward

- backward

20.04.2022

I want to find if my decoder has active Function 1 (pin 3) and Function 2 (free purple wire) so I added a green led at pin 3 in series with 3k3 resistor to pin 7 (common V+), also I added a yellow led at free purple wire in series with 3k3 resistor to pin 7 (common V+). Usual value for serie resistor is 1kΩ, but 3k3 was in my way.

I make another video, named test a DCC decoder (NEM652) with Arduino Web Throttle - 2, where you see how I control "digital locomotive" through Web Throttle

Later, I added a wi-fi board with ESP8266-01 at Station:

and I uploaded sketch in Arduino Mega using the installer:

after I find channel for my wi-fi (bbk2 - channel 4):

On display we see the IP adress and port for station:

I install Engine Driver application on my Android phone (see more info about aplication in article Choosing a Controller (Throttle)

I tested also Function 1 (Bell) and Function 2 (Horn)

22.04.2022

I tested the system with Android Throttle (Engine Driver application) and I make a video named test NEM decoder with DCC++EX Arduino Station and Android Throttle. For this situation, information on LCD display are very useful (IP and Port).

original article

A reader of my blogs announce my this issue about wrong conversion of the date/year when extract data from Unix Time (Epoch Time). Also, the solution for this issue is simple, like here: https://github.com/arduino-libraries/NTPClient/issues/149.