My name is Guenter, 65 years young. Young enough to restart with this stuff. My first digital Maerklin I've sold for a few bugs, maybe 20 years ago. Bad idea, I know I have some experience with Ardoino and ESP and I'm not a friend of this Arduino Uno double-deck stuff and have succesfully flashed my ESP32 Lolin chip. Next step is I'm trying to connect this simple L298N board. What I dosn't understand, why do I need a transistor with ESP32 and not with Arduino Uno? Used train and rails ordered today and I'm looking forward. And nobody shoud speak to my wife, she dosn't know about this !!! Will be happy if the first train will move under my control via DCC++ .... BR Guenter
Welcome aboard Trainboard, Guenter! I'm sure the guys will be able to answer your questions. I think it si going to be a bit hard to contain/hold your secret. Have Fun
Welcome aboard, Guenter. Nobody here will tell your wife, except for yourself. Depending on the scale this stuff might be hard to hide though. Also, the argument that you are saving a lot of money by going the Arduino route is only convincing here. Regarding the motor shield: just make sure you buy one that has current feedback, and really works with DCC++EX, or whatever Arduino software you want to use. Arduino works with 5V, ESP32 I believe 3.3V, so I think that explains the difference in attaching other hardware.
Welcome aboard. Keep us up to date on your "restart with this stuff". As long as you are having fun is all that matters.
Welcome aboard, Guenter! I spent 5 years in the Kaiserslautern area of Germany 2010-2015. I enjoyed it very much, and would love to go back. Where in Germany are you? As far as keeping things from the wife, it's a struggle we all have!
Welcome to TrainBoard. Your secret is safe with me. Maybe use camo for disguise. Have model railroad in sewing machine cabinet?