First DCC++ Set-up

Banjo Rose Mar 22, 2020

  1. Banjo Rose

    Banjo Rose New Member

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    Hi

    I had a normal DC layout as a kid and haven't done anything since but the idea of DCC++ with JMRI sounds awesome and I'd love to get back into model railroading now I'm a bit older!

    I wanted to make sure that I don't buy the wrong things. Can anyone confirm if the items in the pictures attached seem correct? (especially the power pack)

    I intend to run an N scale track that will be really quite small with maybe only 1-2 locos (with only a few freight cars each) and hopefully around 4 automatic turnouts and maybe a few signals/lights. I would also like to figure out some type of block detection so that I can automate the trains in the future.

    I would run it off an old laptop as well so I wont need the raspberry pi. Also the UNO R3 isn't official Arduino but it was a quarter of the price, would this be okay?

    Thanks in advance! Screen Shot 2020-03-22 at 4.45.36 pm.png Screen Shot 2020-03-22 at 4.46.37 pm.png
     
  2. wvgca

    wvgca TrainBoard Member

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    i would run a higher voltage on the power supply, maybe 14-15 volts
     
  3. Banjo Rose

    Banjo Rose New Member

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    Okay, do you know if the output should be AC or DC and if the number of Amps matters?

    I've seen another model online with the following specs:
    Output : DC 15V 2A / 2000mA

    Also I have seen people recommend laptop chargers, but all the ones I see appear to have much higher voltages (around 18-19v)
     
  4. wvgca

    wvgca TrainBoard Member

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    it should be DC around two amps ....
     
  5. RCMan

    RCMan TrainBoard Member

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    For N-Scale 12VDC is fine. HO needs 14-16 VDC.
     
  6. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like you save $30 buying it but I think the only way you would know for sure if it is 'completely' compatible is hopefully someone else jumps in that actually bought the one you are interested in or you just take a chance and try it. Some are running clones ok it seems, I spent the extra for peace of mind.

    Are you comfortable loading the sketch on it? If not the bottom link here might help ease that...

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/DCC/DCC-Index.html

    If you are the top one will take you to the steps for Gregg's original version but the guys here are working on a newer update for it,

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2020
  7. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    I would say 15v dc.....if you are only planning to run 2 locos max, yes 2A will be fine. You can also find adjustable power supplies on Amazon, then you can decide what is best, between 12V and 15V (which is ~ $50 in the US)
    I've played with Inland Arduino boards (from MicroCenter) and they seem to work just fine
     

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