DCC++ is so close - help

Howdy all -

I’m completely new to all this but I know I wanted to go DCC. The cheapest route was DCC++ and I feel like I’m so close.

I’m working in N scale and I followed a video to set up the DCC++ system using a motor shield powered by a 15V 1.5 amps DC output. Should I be using 12V 1.0 amps or 12V 1.5 amps? Everything I read made it sound like 15V 1.5 amps should be okay for N scale but I’m not too sure.

So I had to install a Digitrax decoder into an atlas GP15 and after figuring that the motor leads were not contacting very well I reinstalled it. I can get the forward and backward light to turn on depending on the direction picked but the loco will still not budge.

What is my next step?

 

15V 1.5 A is fine.

Are you sure you are on the ops track and not programming.

It sounds like the DCC signal is working if your lights work properly. Does/Did the engine run on DC? Sounds like a motor contact issue still.

 

What pins do you have jumpered by the way? Assuming you are using UNO and original motor Shield??

 

As Keith said - 15V is fine. Do not, initially at least, change the sense current from 300 - it will trip at about 800mA.

If you can turn the lights on, the decoder sees the function command. If the lights switch between forward and reverse, the decoder sees the throttle command and interprets it correctly. So it appears the UNO and Motor Shield is working as it should. (I assume you did check proper pulsing of all the output LEDs with the <D> command).

My guess is that there is still a problem in the connection between the motor outs, from the decoder, to the actual loco motor. If there was a short across the motor outs it would trip the overcurrent. Can you measure the output from the decoder's motor leads (it is a DC voltage)?

Willem.

 

@Keith: The engine ran just fine on DC before I installed the decoder and after ensuring that the digitrax decoder could handle DC, I just tried again under 12 V DC and it moved both directions.

I have the jumpers set at the following: 13 to 5 and 12 to 10 and I am using the Uno and "original" motor shield.

@WillemT: I fiddled with the decoder some more (then some more) and ensured that I had a good connection from the motor leads and the actual decoder - after a couple of tense minutes, I finally got the loco to move both forward and backwards! It looks like the DCC++ is running and the tracks are getting the needed power.

Thank you for messages - I wouldn't have figured it out without the both of you!
-Bren

 

Excellent. Glad you got it working.

 

Glad you got it working. Enjoy.

Willem.