I am a new returning railroader. I was in the hobby 30+ years ago. I am armpit deep into the research to get back in. I am looking with great interest at DCC++. My only stopping point so far is finding the specified Motor shield. I am very familiar with the Arduino from another long running project. I have several motor controllers such as the adafruit v2. Is the R3 the only one that will work? I have sent the last 2 days searching the answer for this question. I just found this site so maybe my searching is not as good as I think it is. Open to all comments. I will introduce myself in the proper thread.
There is only two motor Shields usable in DCC++. If you use my version DCCpp of this software, you can address virtually any model of H Bridge, like of course the previous two Motor shields, but other hardware like LMD18200. You can find the wiring of some solutions in this article http://www.locoduino.org/ecrire/?exec=article&id_article=187 . This is in french, but Google translator can help you !
Thank you for the reply. I was just looking at this. So I would use the H Bridge in place of the shield?
Ahh there we go. Thank you very much. Oh I did find a R3 in the States. Should be here Thursday. Still want to look at these other options.
Excuse me for also asking a few questions about shields as well, I just don't want to flood the forum with more threads on the subject. I've been looking at some more substantial options since I am looking to future proof and 2 amps just doesn't seem like a lot for 4-5 trains with full lighting (passenger cars) and sound, even at N scale. Is there any reason other than software that this particular shield wouldn't work? As far as I can tell I can just assign the PWM/Dir with the jumpers to the appropriate pins that are default in DCC++. I could even stack two of them for the operations and programming track, though I know it is overkill. https://www.cytron.io/p-shield-md10 Thanks
I agree with you it looks to me on first glace like that shield should work fine when properly setup.
Reading through the Rev 2.0 users manual, it doesn't look like it has any current sensing capability. This will require external current sensing for short circuit protection, and also fo reading the CV's on the programming track, though this board is massive overkill for the programming track. NMRA spec limits the programming track current to 600 mA to prevent damage to the decoder if and when you make an oops.
Well, I've ordered two of these and two Max471 modules (using 2.5A power supplies and will upgrade these later) since I noticed that there was no current sensing on the boards. As for the programming track, the above link shows an LMD18200 which would also be well above the NMRA spec. Is it really that big of an issue?
Hi, sorry to hi-jack this thread, I too have a question about the motor shields; I have several DK Electronics motor control shield; looks exactly like this one: https://www.robotshop.com/uk/l293d-...e_zsTQwan60JH8s1FNvCoZwIYQRe4kJIaAnEqEALw_wcB can I use thses for my DC++ base unit? I have both Uno's and Mega boards so I can use either with it.
In regards to the LMD18200/MAX471, does anyone know how to calibrate DCC++ for the 1V/A current readings? I recall somewhere, maybe the original DCC++ thread, adjusting the code for a different Volt/Current ratio.
I wouldn't count on it, the L293D does not support current sense so you would be unable to detect shorts or over current situations.
In addition to Atani's reply. The specs for the L293D says it is only good up to 600mA. Even more restricting, it gives the usable frequency as up to 5kHz - that is too low for DCC. Willem.