I'm embedding a DCC EX control system into The Canyon. It's overkill for a layout this small. On my last micro, I used an inexpensive PWM controller, which works well with DC powered locomotives, and is a great solution for a micro layout. But in this case I wanted to be able to run my DCC Porter, and maybe someday a sound equipped locomotive, and PMW doesn't work with dual-mode DCC decoders -- the decoder can't understand the pulses it's seeing, so it does nothing.
DCC EX is an Arduino-based, open source DCC solution. It's a lot less expensive than commercial DCC systems, of course; I paid $75 for mine a year ago, not including a power supply (about $10) and a cell phone or tablet as a controller. Most DCC EX systems are WiFi enabled and are controlled using a cell phone app.
The latest version of DCC EX lets me switch from DCC to pulse power mode (basically an expensive PWM controller) to run DC locos.
I installed the DCC EX board in a cavity on the bottom of the layout. It's stuck down with that thick double sided tape. I mounted a 2.5 x 5.5 mm female barrel connector on the fascia to accept a standard 12 volt power supply, like the ones used for TVs and computers. I ran two feeders through the foam to the track -- again, overkill, but I had plenty of wire on hand, so why not?
I haven't tested it yet on this layout, since there's no track, but I hope to change that in the next week or so. I did use the same system on my Frazier Borate mini so I know it works.
11/1/24: I laid a few feet of track this morning and, connected the feeders, and fired up the DCC EX. It took some fiddling -- DCC EX is not as user friendly as the commercial systems, to tell the truth, and it's been a while and I had forgotten how to do things -- plus, I had managed to get a couple of wires crossed, creating a short circuit. But I finally got it figured out and was able to run Porter #18 back and forth a few times. I need to make some adjustments to the track, but the basics are there.
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