How to define, store, test and control the turnouts (with servo) in DCC++Ex

    As a beginner with model railroading I tested also DCC control using a custom locomotive.

My custom locomotive was make using just bogie from an old locomotive, adding DCC ready board and NEM652decoder.

   DCC control was choose as DCC++EX

so, I used for as Command Station: Arduino Mega development board, a Motor shield, ESP8266-01 with logical level adapter, i2c LCD1602 (and than OLED)  display + 4 servos connected at an expander board on i2c with 16 outputs using PCA9685 chip, using info from

- https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/assembly.html

- https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/wifi-setup.html

- https://dcc-ex.com/get-started/installer.html

  For the throttle I used 2 versions:

- DCC++Ex Web Throttle (https://dcc-ex.com/throttles/ex-webthrottle.html)

- Engine Driver Android app (https://dcc-ex.com/throttles/engine-driver.html)

   I was interested to control servos (for future turnouts) so I used info from:

- https://dcc-ex.com/reference/software/hal-config.html

- https://dcc-ex.com/reference/software/command-reference.html

- https://dcc-ex.com/reference/software/command-summary.html

   Base commands for turnouts in DCC++EX are:

and for SG90 servo:

   Easiest mode is to use web throttle (serial control)

   So, for first servo (turnout), command is <T 200 SERVO 100 410 205 3>, where 200 is choose ID for turnout, 100 is VPIN (virtual pin for first servo connected at PCA9685), 410 is PWM number for throw (open) for SG90, 205 is PWM number for close position and 3 is slowest movement (0 is fastest movement).

   For second servo (turnout), command is <T 201 SERVO 101 410 205 3>, where 201 is choose ID for turnout, 101 is VPIN (virtual pin for second servo connected at PCA9685), 410 is PWM number for throw (open) for SG90, 205 is PWM number for close position and 3 is slowest movement..

   So, for third servo (turnout), command is <T 202 SERVO 102 410 205 3>, where 202 is choose ID for turnout, 102 is VPIN (virtual pin for third servo connected at PCA9685), 410 is PWM number for throw (open) for SG90, 205 is PWM number for close position and 3 is slowest movement .

   So, for first servo (turnout), command is <T 203 SERVO 103 410 205 2>, where 200 is choose ID for turnout, 100 is VPIN (virtual pin for first servo connected at PCA9685), 410 is PWM number for throw (open) for SG90, 205 is PWM number for close position and 2 is medium movement.

   Next step (mandatory) is to store this turnouts in EEPROM memory using <E> command

   I can check the defined turnouts using <T> command

   Base commands are:

- to throw (open) thefirst turnout

- to close the first turnout

   When open Android "Engine Driver" I saw the turnouts defined

so I ca control the servos:

- all turnouts throw (open)

- first turnout closed, rest turnouts open

- all turnouts closed

     You can see a video with control the turnouts with servo: 4 servo (turnouts) controlled by Arduino as DCC++Ex Station and Engine Driver app

Bibliography:

- http://nicuflorica.blogspot.com/2022/05/definire-salvare-testare-si-comanda.html

- http://nicuflorica.blogspot.com/2022/04/verificare-functionare-decodor-nem652.html

- http://nicuflorica.blogspot.com/2022/05/transformarea-unui-locomotive-analogice.html

How to test NEM652 decoder with "DCC ready" board

 original article

   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 

--->   

   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).