I found what seems to work for me as a case to contain my dcc++ hardware. It's still a work in progress but it's an old pc tower case complete with original power supply. Still not done with wiring but the pi starts up and can see both ardionos. The closer mega is the dcc++, and the other one will drive atlas snapswitches via relay boards. The plan is that jmri will map the switches to digital pins on the DCC++ adruino. Those digital output pins will be wired to digital inputs on the second arduino. The sketch on the second one will sense the change to an input pin and activate the appropriate relay for about 150ms or so to drive the appropriate snap switch direction. The power supply on the right with the white cord running to it is 15v dc and dedicated to the motor shield do drive the track power. The pc power supply mounted above is supplying 5v to the Pi, arduinos, and first relay board. I have 12v, 5v, and 3.3v from the pc supply for various things like fans, lights, and such.
Cool case, I love re purposing cases. Are you going to use WiFi, RPi3? might have a problem with too much shielding. You might want to checkout Dr Bunza's blog post about JMRI/Mega Turnouts- https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/34417 Bill
Bill, I am planning on using the wifi from the RPi3. I hadn't tried it with the case side back on yet, thanks for the heads up. Worst case I run an ethernet cable to it. I'd prefer not to do that though. I've read a lot of that particular blog. I currently have a doorbell transformer added in there as well as the 16v AC Power for my atlas track switches. I wrote code for the second Mega that will read digital input from 8 pins that are jumpered to 8 pins on the DCC++ Mega. I have those configured as acc outputs in DCC++ and mapped as jmri switches. I can now "open/close" switches via jmri and it will energize the track switches in the correct direction for 100ms. My current issue is that my deek-robot motor shield seems to have died. I'm switching to Pololu type as soon as it arrives.
UPDATE: I put the case together with both sides on it and have no problem using vnc to connect to the RPi over my WiFi.
Well, the Pi is in the case, in my office/train room over our integrated 2 stall garage on second floor. My WiFi router is located in my basement. My router is a Nighthawk X6 R8000. The computer case is relatively well ventilated with openings on the back of the case and openings on one side for possible fans. I like this approach because its running the power supply fan as well as one 12v case fan. So with the heat sinks on the Pi, it should stay plenty cool.
