La Gare d'Ascq: May 2024

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Custom test bench - part 7: DCC-EX + WIFI

Following my previous post, I ordered a couple of display with the goal to show the EX‑CommandStation IP address and port. Connecting the display was very easy and by default the IP and port are shown on one of the pages.

I tried to connect to different Wifi: EXT-5G and 5G, but it failed and showed an IP of 192.168.4.1, that is the default one for the Point Access mode, whereas I want the Station Mode that connects to my home wifi.

After discussing on Discord, the Wifi shield only works with 2.4Ghz wifi and it seems that my default Fios was too far for the shield to connect. But, I managed to make it with on the Wifi extender.

On JMRI, the connection is DCC++ Ethernet and I just needed to input the IP adress.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Custom test bench - part 6: DCC-EX + WIFI

I received the WIFI shield from Makerfabs:

I went through the software installation again by running C:\Olivier\Tools\CommandStation-EX-5.0.7-Prod\CommandStation-EX\EX-CommandStation-installer.exe. I tried both with connecting the shield to my home WIFI and configuring the shield as an access point.

In both cases, I was able to connect to it with two Apps on my phone:

On the App, I was able to auto detect the engine and run a few functions. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to connect wirelessly from JMRI. It seemed that the IP address might have changed or something, but the connection was not successful.

I therefore ordered a display to add to the Arduino to display its IP address...

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Custom test bench - part 5: DCC-EX

In my recent new engines, there were some M4 and Zimo decoders. In my test bench, I have an ESU decoder programmer, but as expected it only works with ESU decoders. When I have my ESU ECoS on my desk, I can use it with JMRI, but lately the ECoS stays connected to the layout.

I looked at the Zimo website to potentially purchase something similar to my ESU LokProgrammer, but somehow it is not clear if they have something similar. In addition, the software seems to be developed and maintained by a third-party. So, I thought I'll focus on JMRI.

I looked at the JMRI documentation and if my old Roco Multimaus could be used at the command station. There are articles that explain that with an addition Lenz device it could be supported, but all seemed not very reliable.

Somehow, Youtube managed to push a video to me about DCC++ and DCC-EX in particular. I forgot which video it was, but basically it seems very easy and cheap to have a full fledged DCC command station based on an Arduino. And JMRI does support DCC++.

DCC-EX website is very well done: https://dcc-ex.com. I purchased the parts as specified:

Elegoo Mega R3 2560
Arduino Motor Shield Rev3
EX-WiFi Shield 8266 (aka Makerfabs WiFi Shield) - which has not arrived yet

I followed the instructions and it was all very straight forward. It worked on the first try!

The main thing to remember with JMRI is that Decoder Pro functionality of "Read from decoder" works only on the programming track. It took me a bit of research to understand my issue here. And I will have to pay attention to that detail when re-wiring my test bench.

Anyway, it worked quite easily!

https://dcc-ex.com/WebThrottle-EX/

Saturday, May 4, 2024

New engines

Some new engines ....

BB 17003

This is my first model from R37 - https://www.r37.fr - and probably my first BB 17000. Its reference number is HO 41057. I need to do more research, but I believe it would run well with the orange version of the VB2N from Vitrains.