BB 20011

I actually never setup this engine I purchased a while back:

http://uxtobirza.free.fr/trains/voir_loco.php?Classe=BB%2020011/12

 

LS Models 11199S - BB 20011

Sadly, I tried to use my test bench and the ESU LokProgrammer, but something must be wrong in the wiring - somehow - because it didn't work on either track!

 

 

Fixing the test bench for DCC-EX and Roco/Zimo

In various past posts, I mentioned that I could not configure Roco engines with a Zimo decoder through DCC-EX and JMRI - even though it just worked fine for a Piko loco ... Overall, the DCC-EX command station wasn't very stable.

I thought that the wiring on the test bench could be the issue. Because of the rotary switches, it could be that the track 1 and 2 were actually connected to each other, or something like that.

I made one change by disconnecting the rotary switch for track 2; therefore track 2 is now directly connected to the programming track of the DCC-EX command station.

 

 

The green and blue wires come from the DCC-EX command station, whereas the red and black wires come from the rotary switch for track 2.

And it's now working as a charm! I need to find a better solution since now I cannot connect track 2 to the ESU LokProgrammer or the AUX.

 

Upgrading DCC-EX

I had an issue with DCC-EX and JMRI where the programming track would not be turned on automatically and I struggled configuring decoders for Roco or Piko engines. I decided to take a look and upgrade DCC-EX at the same time.

Upgrading from 5.0.9 to 5.4.6

As usual, I download the zip file from the release page:

https://github.com/DCC-EX/CommandStation-EX/releases

 I then extract the zip file and double click on the "CommandStation-EX.ino" file that opens the Arduino IDE and all the related files.

Customizing DCC-EX code

For the display, I have to adjust some code to display exactly what I want. I also provide here the config files.

CommandStation-EX.ino

CommandStation-EX.ino

CommandDistributor.cpp

WifiInterface.cpp

myAutomation.h

mySetup.h

config.h

 I can then compile and upload the code to the Arduino.

Testing the new release and config

And now, I have the new version and the programming track always on!

Positions of the wires for the Wifi module

Positions of the wires for the display and the 2 sets of tracks

 

Success!

It's now working for Piko engines, and likely for the Roco too:

 

 

 

 

Custom test bench - part 13: another switch for DCC-EX

 I realized a side effect of my recent upgrades on my test bench. When I use the ESU LokProgrammer on Track 1 or 2, the signal goes into the Arduino and starts the DCC-EX command station, and then it is a big mess! So the power switch to the Arduino was not enough.

For a while, I disconnected the track connectors from the Arduino, but it makes it cumbersome to put them back when I want to use JMRI since they are enclosed in a box.

I purchased a 4PDT switch to cut both wires from both tracks; probably an overkill ...

 Then, it's pretty easy wiring.

Before

Wires to the tracks

Wires to the Arduino

Reused an existing hole for the switch

The hole is a bit too big, but it works

Custom test bench - part 12: DCC-EX + WIFI + OLED Display + Volt/Amp

This series of posts about my test stand is reaching its end ... After installing the DCC-EX, I also wanted to have a device measuring the tension and courant going into the main track - for me, track #1.

I installed the DCC Concepts Alpha Meter on the layout, but it would be too big for the test stand. Fortunately, a US manufacturer makes something similar, but smaller. It is the RRampMeter from DCC Specialties:

The setup is very straight forward. The main challenge was to create the opening on the panel so that the LED display would be flush.

So, I'm pretty happy with the end state as it is. The panel is not exactly organized in a logical way, but that will do for now!

Custom test bench - part 11: DCC-EX + WIFI + OLED Display

 

Today, I focused on replacing the Roco DCC station by my new DCC-EX. First, I reconfigured the Arduino with the DCC-EX motor shield. It was one line in the config file to adjust and it worked immediately.

With the Arduino motor shield, the OLED display was plugged into the Mega board:

Pins 20 and 21 for the clock and the data: 

The DCC-EX motor shield not only simplifies wire management with only one power connection, but it also provides a dedicated header for the OLED, which will make it easy to fix the whole set into the box I purchased.

To mount the OLED display on the panel, I decided to mount the whole board on the panel. I had to bend the connectors, but it was quite easy.

Here's the final result! I added a switch - the round red one - for the DCC-EX unit, so I can choose not to start it if I don't need it. It also makes it easy to reset the Arduino without having to unplug the entire test stand.

Custom test bench - part 10: DCC-EX + WIFI + OLED Display

 

I just received the "official" DCC-EX motor shield named "EX-MotorShield8874". I ordered it directly from the DCC-EX web store.

My main reason to replace the Arduino shield with the DCC-EX one, is that this DCC-EX shield makes it easy to have only one power source with all the components: motor shield and Arduino Mega. Space is limited in the test bench ...

I unplugged the Arduino motor shield and positioned the new one. I plugged the power source and it seems to work immediately!

I still need to test it with an actual locomotive, but it would easy to reconfigure the Arduino with the DCC-EX installer or rather the Arduino IDE, since I modified the source code for the display.

Custom test bench - part 9: DCC-EX + WIFI + OLED Display

 

It was pretty easy to adjust the Arduino code to display what I wanted - except for the blank line that became a line of "-".

As mentioned in the DCC-EX documentation - here - I had to change the source code for that release. It is not in a config file, so at the next release, I will lose those changes and will have to do them again:

CommandStation-EX.ino

CommandDistributor.cpp

WifiInterface.cpp

Next step is to thing about how to fix the OLED display on the fascia of the test bench.

Custom test bench - part 8: DCC-EX + WIFI + OLED Display

 

Now that everything works, I want to improve the display. I need more than 2 lines, and the 4-line LED actually takes up too much room. I therefore went to Micro Center and got a Adafruit OLED:

• Adafruit Industries Monochrome 0.96" 128x64 OLED Graphic Display

The wiring was almost straight forward:

• Pin 5V (Vcc) to Vin
• Pin GND (ground) to Gnd
• Pin 20 SDA (data) to Data
• Pin 21 SCL (clock) to Clk

I reconfigured the DCC-EX with its installer and it worked immediately:

Next, I want to customize what is displayed:

• Line 1: DCC-EX version
• Line 2: blank
• Line 3: status on Main
• Line 4: status on Prog
• Line 5: blank
• Line 6: IP:port

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.

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...

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/