DCC++, arduino Uno

french_guy Jun 23, 2020

  1. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

    628
    374
    28
    Hello
    I have setup my DCC++ base station V-1.2.1+ with an Arduino Uno and a Deek motor shield. I know I used it in the past (with the original DCC++ version) and it was working (could run an engine)
    I recently uploaded V-1.2.1+ and I'm trying the different commands in serial monitor (<1> will turn the 4 leds on, and <0> will turn them off)
    But when I type <D>, the serial monitor says "Entering diagnostic mode..." but the 4 leds are not blinking at all
    What should I check?
    Thanks
     
  2. FlightRisk

    FlightRisk TrainBoard Member

    548
    237
    14
    Did you try anything other than commands? Did you put a loco on the track?

    Are you following these instructions for the D command? https://github.com/DccPlusPlus/BaseStation/wiki/Diagnostics---D---Command

    Assuming you are, and you have 4 lights when you issued the <1>, then the signal enable pins and wiring is correct. But the signal data pins could be wrong.

    Do you have the correct jumpers as shown here:https://dcc-ex.github.io/assets/motor-shield-pin-mappings.pdf

    Check for any bent pins too
     
  3. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

    628
    374
    28
    Well, it works when I send the <D> right after a <1>
    But I was trying the following sequence: <1> then <0> then <D>.......not sure why I was doing that actually !
    So when I have all solid LEDs with the <1>, I get blinking LEDs with the <D> and need to reset the board to turn them off
    Seems to work fine then
     
    Jimbo20 likes this.
  4. FlightRisk

    FlightRisk TrainBoard Member

    548
    237
    14
    I had a brainstorm when I woke up this morning and came to post because I thought, "I wonder if he turned power on before using the <D> command?" ;) Maybe we should modify the command to turn power on if it is off. That might prevent confusion. Yes. Just FYI, every time you open a serial monitor, it resets the Arduino. So if you keep the Arduino IDE open, close the serial monitor, and open it again, you will be back to running at full speed. I don't recommend it, but if you have a train on the track when it is in diagnostic mode, it will jump back and forth and the headlight will blink ;)
     

Share This Page