FireBox: A Tiny DCC Train Controller

David Cutting Jun 17, 2020

  1. S t e f a n

    S t e f a n TrainBoard Member

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    Could somebody please post a coherent summary of why the project was stopped? What happened that made it impossible to go forward? I got no reply to my PM. This 'kickstart supporters only' information policy is BS, and bad for the DCC++ community.
     
  2. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I participated and really there isn't much more to it than what Atani has summarized.

    Sumner
     
  3. S t e f a n

    S t e f a n TrainBoard Member

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    Atani said the info was only posted for backers - see quote below.
     
  4. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    That's true but what we got wasn't much more than what he summarized.

    I might be out my $55 but also realized going in that I was given no guarantees that backing the project was going to end up with me receiving anything. I was mainly doing it with the hopes of advancing DCC and feel that has happened to some degree. Receiving a command station was going to be a bonus but not a necessity as I've already put two together for DCC++. I don't have any regrets with what has happened personally and feel that in the end the DCC community will still benefit from what was contributed by his efforts. I don't feel taken by what happened. I'm sure I'd have a different feeling if I would of put in hundreds or thousands of dollars into supporting the project.

    Sumner
     
  5. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    Same here, I have ESP32 CS which supports what FireBox was planning to support and a bit more.

    I suspect a lot of this sentiment comes from not refunding the full amount collected (minus non-refundable expenses).
     
  6. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, that was suppose to happen but hasn't, at least for me. I'll give it a little more time but if the partial refund doesn't come through after being promised that will change how I feel about the whole deal to some extent.

    I look at loaning money and/or investing it in something like this project the same way I do about gambling (which I don't do).....'If you can't afford to lose it, don't do it'.

    Sumner
     
  7. S t e f a n

    S t e f a n TrainBoard Member

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    That's all good and nice (or the opposite...), but why the heck did he stop the project? That's what I'm interested to learn more about.
    So, what did he say made him stop? Too many non-converging features in the software, late (after FCC radio interference testing of production prototypes) discovery of necessary hardware changes, something else, or just more personal stuff: what was it? I think it would be helpful to know.
     
  8. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    This likely contributed to it as I know there is at least one hardware update which may necessitate FCC testing to be redone. I know this as I've received the same update he did and have made the necessary updates on ESP32 CS PCB which I'm sending off to JLCPCB this week.

    I don't believe it was fully stated but from what I do know it is not just one single thing that brought this on but more of a combination of factors. I suspect time is also a big contributing factor.
     
  9. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    There was a big discussion on another forum (R W) that may have had a bit more info , but I don't think I am allowed to post a link here .
     
  10. wvgca

    wvgca TrainBoard Member

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    what's R W ??
     
  11. S t e f a n

    S t e f a n TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Mike! Found this (the post in the railwire thread with the kickstarter message quote). Dave is very clear that pursuing the project any further is not worth his time and effort financially. He doesn't mention any technical problems, just that further software work is needed.
     
  12. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    If that is the case it is likely he should continue with the refund and not retain any of the proceeds from KickStarter.
     
  13. ridinshotgun

    ridinshotgun TrainBoard Member

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    I reached out to him via kickstarter since no one has seen hide nor hair of him for several weeks now to see what the status is on the refunds. He said it would take some time to collate all the info for paypal and sell off the saleable assets he has (supposedly according to one place he posted that was only $650). I won't be holding my breath at any point. :rolleyes:
     
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  14. Keith Ledbetter

    Keith Ledbetter TrainBoard Member

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    Agreed not holding my breathe. These are always risky. This one disappointing as close as it got. There is some history with him here on not getting things over the finish line (google DCC++ pi hat) but taking the money and not finishing for lots of mostly personal reasons. Is what it is. I'm hoping he at least makes all the designs open source and others can pick up the development. I've long given up being bitter in life at these type things. Won't make anything better.
     
  15. FlightRisk

    FlightRisk TrainBoard Member

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    FireBox Update: Just another note that the DCC-EX team has been focused on getting out release 3.0 of DCC++ EX. That is very, very close. We are finishing the web documentation, release notes, final beta testing, etc. (perhaps a week) After that, we will discuss as a group what can be done with the FireBox project and decide on the next step. Perhaps we can use our resources to pick it up or re-engineer the idea. We need something like the FireBox, or an all in one board that goes on a Mega. All the other solutions that involve off the shelf motor boards have limitations that we as ambitious engineers think we can do much better ;) I have a relationship with David. There has been some discussion already with the group so, a little bit like the election, if you can be patient with us, I promise some answers ;) Anyone who wants to join the team (@BigJake are you interested as a E.E.? ;) ) whether to help with design, review schematics, or just offer design ideas, we are always looking for help. Contact me via PM. We Will keep you updated!

    Fred
    DCC++ Team
    N4IXL
    Join us on Discord to view discussions: https://discord.gg/y2sB4Fp
     
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  16. AlanL

    AlanL TrainBoard Member

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    best way to PM you?? Alan in MN
     
  17. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    You should be able to through the site.

    1. Click his name.

    2. Click 'Start a Converstaion'

    Sumner
     
  18. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    I am not interested; however, I would be happy to answer questions posted here.
     
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