Craig, As a matter of information, Gregg hasn't been on here for over a year. I have no idea where he's gone. I know he has or had a web site but that hasn't been updated either. I don't think he produced any "how to's" for what you are trying to accomplish. I think there are others that have modified the software to fit their own layouts. Try asking around on all the DCC++ blogs. David
Indeed, that would be your best course of action. When Gregg created DCC++ it was a ground breaker, support had to end somewhere. In fact open source is not some free pass to endless user support. The project was around five years in the making, and no doubt darned hard work. The least any end user can do, is get real and study the code, or go away and spend some $$$ on commercial solutions.
David, Thanks for letting me know, much appreciated. I probably should have realised that Gregg was no longer active, in fact I suspected as much after my first post. UK Steve, I guess you are in the UK. It has become common for some using blogs to feel that sniping and patronisingly abusive words are justified. They aren't appreciated, but pretty typical these days of people in the UK and some parts of the US. I am not and was not looking for a free ride, but why do you need to presume that asking if there was any work done on "how to modify a track plan" was any sort of request for someone else to do my work. I will learn Processing, as I now have to, because I would like to use DCC++. As for you, you need to look at yourself in the mirror and ask some simple questions, "what sort of an individual am I Steve?", I suspect the answer is bitter, twisted and nasty (I hope it isn't). I own a $1000 ESU, so yes I can, and do, spend my own money. Very disappointed Steve. And if I have got the wrong end of the stick, I apologise, but your post did not read as pleasant in any way to me, hence this response. Be nice, I'm sure you are, or can be. David was helpful, you....NO
That's a little harsh. Steve has offered a lot of help here. I thank Greg, Steve & many others for the information provided here, it keeps me occupied in my retirement. I have built a great layout & learnt so much with the information provided here.
Safir3, It was meant to be a little, yes. I have not read all 84 pages of this thread but I am aware of UK Steve's contribution. My point was that my question was not about "how to" but if there was any further info on developing ones own track plan. If I don't have to learn another programming language, that would be great, I already have 12, I feel its enough. His first sentence was just fine, and the right advice. But, as a respondent to written text the English language does not include tonal inflexions. They are straight words, and if assembled in a particular way can read as an admonishment, or as is often the case on facebook etc can be accidental or intentionally written. The result is often the same, offence. So if one writes " In fact open source is not some free pass to endless user support." how would you expect that to be read. I can't see his face or hear him, he might be being very nice, I don't know, so it was not a necessary inclusion. When you read " The least any end user can do, is get real and study the code, or go away....", who said I wouldn't study the code, or that I needed to get real!!, sorry but as the written word it is an insult, pure and simple. So Safir3 and others who might have taken objection, if UKSteve had contributed the first sentence only, it would be a good contribution, the rest, I think not. If you disagree then I'm sorry, that's bad luck for you. As an aside I've had model railways since I was five, I'm now 67, so I've been around a bit and have been sensitive to the insensitive way people use these useful tools (blogs etc) without thinking. UKSteve might well be a lovely fellow, but words can hurt, and his did me.
Every blog should have emojis. A smile goes a long long way! Most of us when speaking to each other face to face speak in generalities, letting our facial expression and body language provide more precise meaning. Written English requires entirely different treatment. The words have precise meaning, that's why international treaties and agreements are almost invariably "written in English". I myself, even though I have a degree in English (etymology) very often offend if I'm not very careful and mindful that my interlocutor can't see my facial expressions. With my own shortcomings in mind, I like to give others the benefit of the doubt with the hope they will do the same for me. David
Agree . But I don't know how to do emoji's unless there is a big list of them that can be copied and pasted. I blog because I am unable to phone as I don't have a phone number for the person. It doesn't cost me anything to phone the UK or the US (well no more than usual). Unless time zones are a real problem, and they generally aren't, I phone if I can, then a decent discussion that has human expression in it occurs. As you say, you can't see your interlocutor, that's why I always try to be careful when writing. I don't always get it right, but I try very hard, and if I get it wrong I apologise. If a person who writes doesn't know how their written words are read, how can they think about that and change if they wish to! And, as an aside I have dealt with people who are rude in their posts, and are just as rude when you speak to them on the phone, that's the way they are I guess. I just don't speak to them ever again. I copied your smiley face, thanks Craig
My two cents. I never expected this section of the board to become confrontational as it has always been cordial and helpful. That said I will come to the defense of UKSteve ... he has not only contributed an immense amount of knowledge and help in developing DCC++ but has always gone way above and beyond in his ability to do nothing more than to lend assistance and help whenever needed. Just sayin'!! Steve F
Steve, Thanks, I don't like confrontation myself, that may surprise you. Its time to stop this, it doesn't achieve anything. I appreciate that UKSteve is very helpful, I have no doubt he is. It was never about that. If I have caused dust to rise its time to let it settle, it has gone on for far too long already.
Just found this idea of DCC++ (a week ago) have been read and wached every thing i can fine on this subject, but i have one question that i have not been able to find the answer to. I think from all the info it looks like a train can only have one loco puling and not 2 or 3 or even 4. if it is possable to run more than 2 locos per train can some one point me to the info. Thanks
I have been gone a long while but if memory serves there was a way to do it with JMRI. As for having a consist in dcc++ i dont remember that being done.
Yeah the DCC++ controller doesn't seem to have a consist feature, however you can still setup the consist manually either by giving all locomotives the same address (Basic Consisting) or by configuring CV19 (Advanced Consisting). This site give some good info on setting up consists, and explaining how to set CV19. https://tonystrains.com/complete-guide-to-consisting/
Ok, finally I looked it up myself. In the schematic you see R1 = 0.15ohm. Here the current for the main track passes, and is amplified x10 at opamp IC4A. This value is converted by the Arduino ADC to a value between 0 and 1023. So, the standard DCC++ value for current sense and short circuit trip = 300. This corresponds to 300/1023*5/10/0.15=0.9775A. If you want a 3A limit, increase the 300 to 900. When using David Bodnar's high power booster (http://www.trainelectronics.com/DCC_Arduino/DCC_Booster/) the the datasheet p17 shows that the sense current is 1.2A with a value of 300 in the DCC++ sketch current sense part. This value is otained as follows: see page 17, Ris in the module is 10k, not 1k as in the spec sheet. Therefor 300/1023*5*0.85=1.24A. If you want the latter module to go up to 10A then value 300 needs to be changed to 10/1.24*300=2419 which is impossible because the max value can be 1023 (max adc output value). So the max current that can be allowed with the power booster is 1023/300*1.24=4.22A. If you want the power booster go to higher currents you need to remplace the sense resistor on the module with a lower value, ie 1k as descirbed in the spec sheet attached p17. Or use R5 as David has done with a 10k in parallel, giving 5k effective. This results in a max current detectable (if you raise 300 to 1023) of 1023/1023*5*8500/5000=8.50A. EDIT: David connects both Is outputs together effectively placing the 2 10k onboard resistors in parallel creating a 5k resistor sensor; then externally he adds a 10k resistor R5 creating a 3.33k sensing resistor. The resulting maximum current with a 1023 value is 1023/1023*5*8500/3333=12.75A. If you leave the DCC++ default value at 300 then the max current is 300/1023*5*8500/3333=3.74A
Dear Craig , if it is still interesting for You , You could use (perhaps) any from your 12 ? programming languages to send the turnout commands to the (virtual) comport.It's not so difficult , please see the coresponding commands . See STATIONARY ACCESSORY DECODERS & TURNOUTS onwards. Please excuse my english , it's not my native language greetings to all of you from the Teutoburger Wald Michael PS* not a good start for me with this first post of mine cause I don't get the text size and color right after link github.com/DccPlusPlus/BaseStation/wiki/Commands-for-DCCpp-BaseStation
IMHO I think you maybe misunderstanding Craig's main question; It is my understanding that he has successfully managed to get his DCC++ Basestation and DCC++ Controller working. He is asking if there are any pointers as to how to edit or reconfigure the DCC++ Controller program so that it shows his own track layout. As it is at the moment Gregg's excellent Controller program has Gregg's own track layout hardcoded into the sketch. One of Gregg's videos suggests that there will be a seperate video giving information on how to do this, but alas it never seems to have been created. This snapshot from Gregg's video shows the track layout that is hard coded in to the controller software. I too would be interested if there has ever been any information posted on how to edit this layout. Jim
Hi Jim, I think I understood his question . My Idea was that he alternately could make his own layout program in any language convenient for him. I agree with you Jim , Gregg's layout is coded in the java program running on PC . I think the definitions are especially in the "controllerConfig.pde". www.github.com/DccPlusPlus/Controller/blob/master/DCCpp_Controller/controllerConfig.pde .As I'am no java guy I cannot help with this sadly. If you read the last sentences from his readme file , it says: ...Ideally, if others start to utilize this Controller, it would probably make sense to move the customization of the cabs and layout into an XML or JSON parameters file. A good project for the future... Enjoy! // DCC++ CONTROLLER // COPYRIGHT (c) 2013-2015 Gregg E. Berman My eestem and thanks go to Gregg for his fantastic program and the possibilities to extend his system by other railroader. Michael
Hi there is also DCC++ support by Rocrail , have a look at http://wiki.rocrail.net/doku.php?id=dccpp:dccpp-en#options http://forum.rocrail.net/viewtopic.php?f=119&t=11487 Michael
There have been many questions here concerning using Gregg Berman's Controller to make one's own layout diagram and control it. Go here: https://github.com/DccPlusPlus/Controller/blob/master/DCCpp_Controller/controllerConfig.pde then under: Branch: Master click the down arrow and choose sample-layout Here you will find a tutorial with all the information necessary to install your own lay-out in Gregg's Controller. By the way, a .pde file can be still opened in Arduino, but latest versions use .ino as native. The .pde file is native to Processing which is a Java based language, but uses C syntax. David
David , thanks for Your explanation , might be very helpful for somebody ( and perhaps myself later on ). Michael
Thank you very much for the pointer to the sample layout David. That should prevent some of us trying to 're-invent the wheel'! Jim
