DC or DCC? The DCC-EX System Gives You BOTH!

A Note on System Components Microprocessor components vary widely in price, and higher price does not necessarily mean improved performance. For example, an Arduino® Mega retails for about $35. The Mega clone I am using in this video costs about $20 on Amazon.com. I bought a Mega clone on AliExpress for about $18. All three boards perform comparably. Similarly, the Arduino® WiFi shield retails for about $55, but suitable clones – including the one linked below – sells for about $10. On the other hand, you need to be careful which motor shield you buy. Many motor shields are not suitable for DCC applications (they can’t switch polarity fast enough, or they don’t provide enough current), and of the boards suitable for DCC applications, only five will support DC operation. I have provided links to the suitable motor shields below. Be SURE to Visit the DCC-EX Website https://dcc-ex.com/#gsc.tab=0 This website contains everything you need to know (and even more that you don’t need to know!) about the DCC-EX project, including building your own system, buying system components, configuring your system, and using your system. In this video, I have relied heavily on the material in this website. I have extracted the bare minimum necessary to allow you to build your own system and to configure it to control either DC or DCC locomotives. Link to Assembly Instructions: https://dcc-ex.com/ex-commandstation/... Link to Software Installation instructions: https://dcc-ex.com/ex-commandstation/... Link to Throttle Choices: https://dcc-ex.com/ex-commandstation/... Please consider donating to help fund further development! https://dcc-ex.com/about/index-contri... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Links to items mentioned in this video. (Note: I am NOT endorsing any particular product(s), nor am I compensated by or connected to any of the companies mentioned.) I do NOT guarantee that these links will give you the best available price! Consider these links to be a starting point for your search. Mega Clone (w/USB cable): https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-ATmega2... 1. Arduino® Motor Shield: https://store-usa.arduino.cc/products... The Arduino Motor Shield provides about 1½ Amps per channel. 2. EX-MotorShield8878: https://store.dcc-ex.com/products/EX-... This board was designed specifically for this application – it provides 5 Amps per channel allowing you to run more locomotives at the same time. 3. DIY More L298H Motor Shield: https://www.diymore.cc/products/repla... Provides about 2 Amps per channel. I bought this exact board from AliExpress for about $3 but be very sure you are buying the DIY More Motor Shield – it is very easy to buy a cheap “semi-clone” (which may not work) on AliExpress. 4. Flashtree Motor Shield: https://www.flashtree.com/products/00... Provides about 1½ Amps per channel. 5. The fifth DC-capable motor is the Deek-Robot Motor Shield. I have been unable to find a source for this shield online. Beware: there is a Deek-Robot Mini Motor Shield which will not plug into the Mega. WiFi Shield: https://www.makerfabs.com/esp8266-wif... Mega Power Supply: https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Arduin... Important: If you buy the EX-MotorShield8874 you will not need a separate power supply for the Mega – the USB cable provides power while the Mega is connected to a computer, and the EX-MotorShield8874 provides power to the Mega during operation. Motor Shield Power Supply: https://www.amazon.com/LEDMO-Power-Su... Other bits and pieces: Barrel Plugs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015OCV5Y8?... 2 Pin Connectors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HLQ4FX?... WiFi Jumper Wires: Google search for “breadboard jumper wires”. Be sure to buy wires which are male on one end and female on the other. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Building Your Command Station 6:05 Installing the Software 8:30 Checking the WiFi Connection 9:23 Throttle Options 10:45 Testing DCC Operation 11:55 Configuring for DC Operation 15:32 Conclusion