I've just got into this having found out about it two weeks ago. So far I've done the following things, and if anyone has any guidance on wrong turns I've made so far, don't hesitate to set my feet on the right path! 1. Purchased genuine Arduino Uno and motorshield. 2. Watched Gregg's initial YT videos. 3. Set up the Arduino as specified in there. --cut Vin Connect on the Uno --jumpered 10/12 and 5/13 pins --uploaded BaseStation 1.2.1 from github into the Uno --installed both JMRI 4.16 and Controller 1.1.0 --installed Processing 3 to run Controller Then. in line with this link: https://github.com/DccPlusPlus/Documentation/blob/master/Motor Shield Pin Mappings.pdf I cut the two BRAKE traces A and B. Vin already cut on the Uno, didn't bother to do that as well. I'm using Ubuntu 18. Everything OK to this point, all the software runs, Uno is detected by both JMRI and Controller, and I'm running the motor shield on 15VDC for this stage of the project. The virtual sound decoder also runs and makes the appropriate noises. I don't have any real decoders yet, still awaiting delivery. Since Vin Connect is cut on the Uno, I assume this doesn't also need to be done on the shield in line with the latest instructions--or at least I hope so. At any rate, with the 15VDC connected, the smoke isn't coming out and all seems well. Turning on layout power lights the LEDs on the motor shield, and off turns them off. Measuring voltage on the motor shield outputs gives around 14.5 VAC much as expected, with the track power on. I then followed the steps here: https://github.com/DccPlusPlus/BaseStation/wiki/Diagnostics---D---Command and these tests pass as well, once I put the baud rate to 115K. Just as well I'm old enough to have worked with dial-up modems in days gone by, this is all familiar territory. Ah serial comms...what a colossal time-waster it used to be! Closed and re-opened the serial monitor, LEDs stopped flashing. So--everything looks great! But, is this the latest and greatest configuration? (aside from developer releases, left those alone for now). At any rate, looks to me like I'm ready to program some things, when they turn up.
LOL, why you stopped and are looking how to lose the path. You have a DCC CS with power for 4-6 locomotives simultaneously running. You have a PC dedicated to the trains, running jmri. Follow the path, get or equip a loco with a dcc decoder. Program the decoder, drive the train. I don't know what your dream is, but any automation can be done complementary to what you have allready. Off course you have to decide how the automation will be implemented (through the track, dedicated bus). IMHO the better you have to do is playing with the dcc you have, describe your dream about your layout automation and discuss about this.You will get more help this way. I know there are so many variants, but you need one that covers your needs. The size of the layout matters, the time and the cost too. What if you want more in the future? My answer is, we are not have to be tied so much to the future, because the future is not tied to us only. Maybe later, you will want to turn to the Atani's ESP32 CS https://atanisoft.github.io/ESP32CommandStation/, you can hold the motorshield and use the arduino for something else. Tell your dream, search, ask, learn, but mainly have fun playing trains.
Ah, it is not my fault sensei! Those who process and deliver packages have forgotten the face of their fathers, and bring dishonour on their ancestors. I wait expectantly for more parts...which are late.
