DCC++ and LGB

Next Jan 3, 2019

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    Has anyone used the Arduino/Motor Shield setup with DCC++ or JMRI to operate LGB MTS III equipment?

    https://goo.gl/PgHSE4

    My Mega and Shield are on the way and I was going to give it a go. If anyone has broken trail on this already, it would be helpful.
     
  2. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    from that page it appears that DCC++ should work without issues.
     
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    Thank you for the reply. Assuming and when I get things rolling, I will update this post.
     
  4. RCMan

    RCMan TrainBoard Member

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    I have used my DCC++ on Largescale Engines. I use the Pololu shield. Use it for testing and decoder programming also. Have not tried it running trains with a lot of cars.
     
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    I set up the Arduino Mega and the Arduino Motor Shield.

    I have 13 jumped to 4 on the Shield.

    When I get to this step,



    I only 3 of the 4 LEDS on the shield to light up when I send the <1> command.

    When I send the <d>, the LEDs do not blink.

    FWIW, I am able to control a loco through JMRI. Set up a throttle and it can start and stop the loco. So the main track is at least doing that.

    I have not tried to do anything with the programming track.
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2019
  7. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    did you cut the brake trace on the back side? Also make sure to cut the VIN trace before connecting the track power supply to the shield.
     
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  9. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    That did the trick.

    I also switch the jump from 13-4 to 13-2.

    Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
     
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    Atani,

    Are you control HO or another Scale?

    I am trying to control G Scale.

    When I put more than 12 volts DC on the motor shield input, it shuts off. It also is supplying much lest voltage to the Track. Around 5 to 6 Volts (AC BiPolar) if I input 10 Volts DC.

    I cut the Vin and the Arduino is not being affected

    How much voltage are you using as an input?
     
  12. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    I'm model N scale and feed my shields with a 15VDC supply and can observe around 14.5V AC on the track.

    On the shield, is the the IC getting hot and shutting down? Anything on the DCC++ console to indicate why it might be cutting out or why you are only seeing about 1/2 voltage on the track?
     
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    Note getting any heat on the IC

    The power supply only puts out 1AMP and so that should not be a problem.

    I am using JMRI. I have not figured out how to star the DCC++ console. I'll work on that.
     
  14. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    In JMRI turn on the packet monitor window and set the flag for raw packets.
     
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    I opened a thing called DCC++ Traffic Monitor. There was a checkbox to "Show Raw Data". I cchecked it.

    The window shows a series of command. That seems odd. I am not selecting anything and the commands continue to flow.
     
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    Is there any set-up of the Motor Shield required beyond cutting the traces? Does the Arduino automatically recognize it or does something have to be set.
     
  17. Atani

    Atani TrainBoard Member

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    It should be automatic. Can you post the output from the traffic monitor?

    Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
     
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    Attached
     

    Attached Files:

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    In looking at the specs on the Arduino Motor Shield Rev3 | A000079, it shows an rated input voltage range of 5VDC to 12VDC.

    This video led to believe the shield could accept more than 12V as long as you cut the VIn trace.



    Is that not so and should I use a difference shield?
     
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    I just did some testing. Using a variable DC input, I see the shield shuts off right at 15V DC. Things seem to be fine up until that point except for the excessive voltage drop to the output. At 12V DC, I get 8 V AC to the track.

    I starting to think the the Arduino shield cannot supply sufficient voltage for G Scale.

    Any suggestion for a more powerful shield?
     

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