The layout was built and the track was laid but we still needed some way of controlling the layout and driving the engines. All the locos were fitted with a DCC sound chip so we would need a proper controller. To keep costs down we looked at using DCC++ that uses an Arduino Uno and a cheap motor driver board to provide DCC signals, but development of this had stopped some years ago.
The problem with DCC++ was that a PC or laptop is needed to control things. After further research we discovered DCC-EX. This was a complete rewrite of the DCC++ code to run on an Arduino Mega controller board. In addition to DCC running track and programming track signals it provided the ability to drive servos and respond to sensor inputs. The big plus for us was that it was able to be contracted over WiFi and operated using an app on a smartphone.
Using easily obtainable (and relatively cheap) components we built a complete DCC system that additionally had the ability to control things like points, signals and other animations.
The system is built from…
- An Arduino Mega controller board
- A simple motor shield
- A servo controller board
- A couple of boards for button and LED connection
- An ESP01 wifi module
- Miscellaneous electrical odds-and-ends (wire, solder, plugs, sockets etc)
Normally two separate power supplies would be needed to run such a system but a small power unit has been designed so that a single 12V supply is all that is required.
A 3D printed control panel was designed and built with LEDs to show the state of the turnouts and tactile buttons housed in 3D printed assemblies.
The points are operated by servos housed in MERG servo mounts.
Various scripts were written and very soon we had an operational layout.
Currently the turntable is (human) digitally operated but work is in hand to provide an electrically (stepper motor) driven assembly very soon. Provision has already been made on the control panel for it.