Smart

So all I use my NCE system for is to put signal into the track. JMRI does all of the heavy lifting, and wireless ESU throttles are way nicer than any thing that keeps me attached to the layout. The only thing I would balk at on DCC++ (and maybe it does it?) is the ability to do RailCom since all of my locos are now equipped with Loksound decoders and I would love to monitor fuel and water consumption.

Unless someone has fiddled with electronics and knows how really plug and play stuff like DCC++ can be it's going to be intimidating. That's unfortunate since it's those just starting in the hobby that need it most!

Other details and thoughts...

I have an old Acer notebook computer that runs XP and I used to use it to run JMRI with the Zephyr and a PR-3. XP is now decidedly outdated and a security risk, it's not even supported anymore so I have to figure something out if I want to use the notebook. It would absolutely die under the load of Windows 10 but I could possibly put Linux on it. The other option, as I understand it, is to run JMRI on the Raspberry Pi and use the notebook as a video terminal with VNC. This is how I'll most likely proceed because I have an idea that I'll eventually just add my own screen and keyboard to the Pi and eliminate the notebook altogether.

Before all of that though, the first step is just to get the DCC++ software up and running on the Arduino and seeing if I can make a train move with it.

railcom

https://atanisoft.github.io/ESP32CommandStation/

I’m likely going to the same thing!

I did a bit of research on DCC++ a bit back, and quickly realized it’s the cheapest way to get DCC, so probably the only way I’ll get DCC with my budget!

I see you’ve acquired a few extra components, I’m sure you aware that you only need one Arduino, either the Uno or Mega, and the Raspberry Pi is not nesseary if you run the computer, though I think the Raspberry Pi is needed if you don’t always want to boot up your computer when you run trains!

Just so your aware, putting Linux on your computer or using the Raspberry Pi as the computer and the old windows as a screen does essentially the same thing, as Raspberry Pi’s run Linux.

Good luck, I look forward to seeing you work through this, I hope it will help me if I end up doing this too (which is quite likely)

XP as a "security risk" only applies...

XP as a "security risk" only applies if you have an internet connection on that computer ... so I wouldn't worry about it too much if you're using an "obsolete" computer in your train room just running JMRI.

Pick up a cheap router and use it only for your WIFI for throttles and other railroad stuff. Don't hook it up to outside internet. If you need software, "sneakernet" it in, DL to a USB stick from your other computer, and hand-carry it to the railroad computer..

Router

@Michael re:Steps

Hi Michael,

I would start by trying to put your motor shield and Uno together and get it loaded with DCC++. Can you post a pic of your motor shield? There is a way to drive the DCC++ combo without JMRI, but even a WinXp laptop loaded with Java 1.8 will run JMRI. If you get JMRI loaded and set up for a DCC++ interface it should be a simpler path.  You should be able to run a DCC loco. The connections for DCC++ can be found here:  https://github.com/DccPlusPlus/Documentation/blob/master/Motor%20Shield%20Pin%20Mappings.pdf

Basic DCC++ info here: https://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/  and more step by step stuff here: SMA25 Tinkering with DCC++ Base Stations: JMRI To Track Connections, Accessories & Fun   https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/sma25-tinkering-with-dcc-base-stations-jmri-to-track-connections-accessories-fun-12204471  or here:  DCC projects using the Arduino http://mrhpub.com/2017-03-mar/online/html5/?page=204

If you run into a snag, post pictures and descriptions, including on screen error messages.

Have fun! 
73 \ AD7JP
Geoff Bunza

I'm on a budget myself but I

I'm on a budget myself but I was lucky enough to have a dear friend who gave me the components I now have. He first had given me the Mega but when concerns arose that it had an inferior  serial chipset  he also gave me the Uno with the better chipset . The Pi is a 2B, not the latest and greatest, but probably enough for me to get my foot in the door so to speak. As I see it, the beauty of using the Pi is that I can build a completely self contained unit if I want to. Displays and keypads are relatively cheap these days. Even the Pi's aren't too bad in price if I need to upgrade.

Yes Geoff, I definitely plan on taking baby steps here at first. I've been rooting around in my junkbox looking for a suitable power supply but I may have to order one. Once I have that in hand, the first step is simply making a loco move forward and backward a few inches and then I go from there.

I also have an ESP32 that I bought and tucked away for the WiFi throttle project which I still intend to do eventually. Mine will be a steam look throttle I hope. I'm good to go with the hardware end of things as far as being able to solder and read schematics and just general overall knowledge. The ham radio experience comes in handy. I would be dead in the water without the software guys though. I keep saying I'm going to learn the software end if I can ever find the time. I'd also like to learn to use sketch up or something similar so I could experiment with getting 3D printed steam throttle parts made as well. So much to do and learn in the hobby!

I will try to get a picture of the motor shield but I do know that it's a Pololu which is supposed to be a good one according to my friend.

RPi 2B - no built-in wi-fi

Michael - just in case you don't already know, the Raspberry Pi does not have built-in WiFi.  You'll need a plug in Wi-Fi module.  Just google how to add wi-fi to the 2b.  There are several "how-to" articles out there.

GS

Good timing

A picture

Here's a picture of the motor shield already installed on top of the Uno. The 2B has the plug in WiFi with it. It appears my friend thought of everything as far as getting me started.

Power supplies

I've been looking at power supplies on Amazon. I think I'm going a little above "wall wart" size and getting something in the 5 amp size. Any thoughts?

@Michael reower supply

Hi Michael,

The Pololu motor driver will handle up to 3 Amps per channel -- only one is actually used at a time. Don't get a supply higher than 15 Volts -- that will put about 14.5 Volts on your track. If you are running N-scale decoders you may need to go lower than that.

The DCC++ source code has a config section to tell it which motor driver you are using. It also has some kind of current limiting parameter too. I don't know if it applies to the Pololu driver. While you are waiting for parts to arrive find each of these and set them accordingly.

Have fun! 
Best regards,
Geoff Bunza

Double checking

So just to be clear, when looking at the pin map PDF referenced earlier, I'm following fourth picture down and should place jumpers between headers and solder pads as shown?

Jumpers

Yup, the 4th picture is the Pololu shield on an Arduino Uno, one jumper solders to D2 and another to M2PWM.  There are also three traces on the bottom of the Pololu that need to be cut per the diagram.  Looking close at the picture you posted it appears the some pins have been soldered to the board  so the D2 is now a plug-in, and the traces may have been cut when those pins were added.

Pololu specific DCC++ base station changes

@Michael You might want to check out a few changes specific to this shield I had to do:

https://github.com/costing/BaseStation/tree/master/DCCpp_Uno

In particular this driver has a built in short detector. For me it was too sensitive, a few locos with capacitors charging up when powering on were tripping the protection. The above fork tries to address that by re-arming the circuit a few times in quick succession after powering up to give the keep alives a chance to charge.

Good choice of motor shield by the way. While more efficient than the standard Arduino one, I would be careful about going above 2A without good heatsink / ventilation.

To reduce the current through the shield (so less power loss in the shield) you can raise the voltage. I moved to 19V rated laptop power supplies lately (had a bunch of them around).

A couple things...

I notice you have a non-Arduino brand shield. That should work fine, just the created of DCC++ (who’s name escapes me right now...). As other mentioned edits may be required for this shield. Also if you use a power supple which is more than 12 volts (or 15, I don’t recall) you need to use a hobby knife to cut two soldering pads apart.

I highly recommend (if you haven’t already) check out the DCC++ YouTube channel. There the creator goes through all the stuff to put the base station together. Those videos should have all the information I fail to recall!

Good Advice Isaac

I had already subscribed to the DCC++ channel and a couple of others but it's certainly good advice to anyone following along. This shield has already been used in this capacity before so I was pretty sure the proper gaps had been cut but I did double check with a multi-meter. I chose an inline cube type supply rather than a straight wall wart. It's a 12V 5A unit and it just arrived today so I'll be starting to get this thing sorted shortly.

I'm interested in DCC++

I'm interested in DCC++ also.  But there's a similar thing now for the Raspberry Pi:  https://palmettodiv.org/sites/palmettodiv.org/files/using_a_raspberry_pi_rev2.pdf

http://www.sprog.us.com/pisprog.html

One of these days...

Thanks for documenting your work, Michael.

@gafrix

The Raspberry Pi is a small computer that can run JMRI and allow cell phones to be used as wireless throttles.

The Raspberry Pi still has to connect to a DCC system, either Digitrax, NCE or DCC++.

I use one on my N Scale system. Below you can see my setup inside my quarry style helix.

Bottom Shelf - Wireless keyboard mouse controller

2nd Shelf - Arduino Uno and Shield for DCC++

3rd Shelf - Raspberry Pi

Top Shelf - 7" Monitor

@will

The Sprog (linked to by gafix) is a DCC command station which now comes in a Raspberry PI ready format. It is a PI HAT (aka a shield in Arduino terms) so plugs into the PI. And it is fully supported by JMRI as are all versions of the Sprog.

Slow progress

I'm hampered by a nasty and persistent cold right now so progress is slow. I have everything jumpered and I got my power supply so hopefully later today I'll be running my first test.

Get well soon

Get well soon and good luck with the test.

Trouble

I was going to use the notebook for simple testing with Java and JMRI but I'm having trouble finding a version of JMRI which runs under XP that has DCC++ listed as a system choice. XP only allows you to go so far up in the Java release chain and the version of JMRI that runs on this PC won't even install on XP and the older Java.

It will be a moot point when I start implementation of a Raspberry Pi but right now it's a stumbling block.