DCC EX

[centenary]

I currently have the Prodigy Express DCC unit which I find very good. However, Im interested to know more about DCC EX. After all, we have mobile phones, laptops or tablets that can use an app or program to control locos and buying a DCC system with one handset seems a big limitation when you think about it. Often, DCC system manufacturers dont make it easy nor cheap to add further handsets to your system.

Ive a background in IT but wasnt a developer \ programmer so, dabbling with lines of code isnt my thing. My preference is for commercial off the shelf (COTS) products so would make the DCC EX Ready to Run as the go to option.

If you're using DCC EX, how are you finding it? Are you running the RTR or DIY version? Does the RTR version come pre loaded with software unlike the DIY where you have to load it yourself?

What, if any, downsides or limitations of DCC EX have you come across so far?

[aleopardstail]

using DCC-EX here, second layout that uses it, indeed actually have three (its cheap enough I built another for my length of 3' test track)

assembled here by getting an Arduino Mega (clone), a motor board (two of the cheap ones, Leopard Street uses the one from DCC-EX themselves which is more expensive, but more capable). the LS one has a Wifi board added as well, the others were driven over USB.

loading the software is easy, I went with loading it via the Arduino IDE which makes a few changes easy (e.g. I added a small OLED screen, I also set the thing up to listen for commands via one of the other serial ports). none of this was hard and the basic set up is easy. They have some software that IIRC can set it up for you but I have not tried that.

I'm driving it from JMRI and WiThrottle, neither of which was hard to get talking to it.

They have a newer complete all in one base station due out soon (more expensive by a fair bit though) and for me the cheap version works. you do need a PC to run JMRI ideally, that manages the rostering for you and makes programming decoders etc easy. once you have that you can drive as many WiThrottles as you want as handsets.

overall so long as you don't mind plugging a few Arduino modules together its very easy, very cheap and powerful. the setup I have is apparently able to stick out 5A on each of two channels, and you can always drive DCC boosters (in which case the dirt cheap arduino motor shields work perfectly)

if you fancy trying it you literally need a PC you can shove JMRI on, an Arduino Mega or clone, and an Arduino motor shield, plus a suitable power supply (I'm using a 230v AC to 15v DC converter and a 230v AC to 5v DC converter designed to drive LEDs, various power bricks work). but you can be up and running remarkably cheaply to try it out

[centenary]

using DCC-EX here, second layout that uses it, indeed actually have three (its cheap enough I built another for my length of 3' test track)

assembled here by getting an Arduino Mega (clone), a motor board (two of the cheap ones, Leopard Street uses the one from DCC-EX themselves which is more expensive, but more capable). the LS one has a Wifi board added as well, the others were driven over USB.

loading the software is easy, I went with loading it via the Arduino IDE which makes a few changes easy (e.g. I added a small OLED screen, I also set the thing up to listen for commands via one of the other serial ports). none of this was hard and the basic set up is easy. They have some software that IIRC can set it up for you but I have not tried that.

I'm driving it from JMRI and WiThrottle, neither of which was hard to get talking to it.

They have a newer complete all in one base station due out soon (more expensive by a fair bit though) and for me the cheap version works. you do need a PC to run JMRI ideally, that manages the rostering for you and makes programming decoders etc easy. once you have that you can drive as many WiThrottles as you want as handsets.

overall so long as you don't mind plugging a few Arduino modules together its very easy, very cheap and powerful. the setup I have is apparently able to stick out 5A on each of two channels, and you can always drive DCC boosters (in which case the dirt cheap arduino motor shields work perfectly)

if you fancy trying it you literally need a PC you can shove JMRI on, an Arduino Mega or clone, and an Arduino motor shield, plus a suitable power supply (I'm using a 230v AC to 15v DC converter and a 230v AC to 5v DC converter designed to drive LEDs, various power bricks work). but you can be up and running remarkably cheaply to try it out

Thanks for this. In part what confuses me about DCC EX is, at the moment, people mention additional Ardino boards and 'motor shields'! But, the DCC EX website doesnt mention this need for something like the Ex Command Station \ Booster One Express. Do you know if this is a complete solution board and not needing an Arduino?

The Command Station \ Booster also seems to have two 5amp outputs. They suggest one for the main track and the other for a program track but, 5amps output on the PT seems excessive to me considering almost everyone advocates low power for this (yes, PoTM will also have higher available ampage so maybe not the big worry after all?).

Anyone who has upgraded or changed their pc OS should find installing any software to the DCC EX boards simple enough provided there are no hiccups.

There seems to be a dearth of DCC EX specific vids on YT whichall still refer to Arduino boards and is probably due to its relative newness?

I like the wifi direction DCC is headed as this would negate the need for expensive base stations and even more expensive additional controller handsets when you can use virtually any mobile phone instead.

I could update the Prodigy Express to wifi operation and boost power output to 5amps but that would mean using the bespoke Gaugemaster \ DCC Concepts components at a cost of getting on for 300 quid.

If DCC EX becomes more of the norm for DCC in the future, I might be reluctant to spend loads on upgrade the Express to wifi!

[centenary]

Well, Ive spent a bit of time on Boxing Day asking questions on the DCC EX Discord server! Very informative and helpful people over there.

Im giving serious consideration to the DCC EX CSB1 command station with twin 5amp outputs plus, it's wifi enabled out of the box using an Android app like Engine Driver.

As mentioned previously, to upgrade my Prodigy Express to 5amp and wifi, Id need to spend going on 300 quid compared to less than 100 with the CSB1. Programming on the Main and Program Track can both still be done via Engine Driver. Points control would still have to be by the MPC boards I have as DCC EX doesnt currently have a board for stall motors.

Overall, what's not to like?

DCC EX seems a bit like Linux. I dont really know what goes on inside the black box but Im not really interested in that. I want something that delivers what I want and operates better than 'good.'

More research and questions before taking the plunge though!

[aleopardstail]

I think the new command station is an all in one solution, just add a power supply, the thing has an ESP32 micro controller providing WiFi and presumably running their software

driving stall point motors (where the DC current needs reversing) is not something I have done. not sure if the DCC-EX system is set up to do it on the new board, I know the Arduino one had a bunch of useful outputs though that it could control - and they most certainly could be used to drive relays to swap the current (I just use servos here, bit more faff to set up but a hell of a lot cheaper)

[centenary]

I think the new command station is an all in one solution, just add a power supply, the thing has an ESP32 micro controller providing WiFi and presumably running their software

driving stall point motors (where the DC current needs reversing) is not something I have done. not sure if the DCC-EX system is set up to do it on the new board, I know the Arduino one had a bunch of useful outputs though that it could control - and they most certainly could be used to drive relays to swap the current (I just use servos here, bit more faff to set up but a hell of a lot cheaper)

Yes, the CSB1 is a RTR solution loaded with their software pre loaded and the one to go for, for me. UK Cost is just about £100 with 2.4" screen from one UK supplier.

The only downside I can see for the DCC EX boards is it only does 'simple' consisting not advanced via Engine Driver or WiThrottle. Not a big problem as it just 'adds' 2 or more locos to the acquired operation.

[aleopardstail]

have to say I have never yet tried consisting, or really been equipped to do so (either lack of similar locos or not enough space to run them doubled up) so can't really comment on that part

[centenary]

have to say I have never yet tried consisting, or really been equipped to do so (either lack of similar locos or not enough space to run them doubled up) so can't really comment on that part

Me neither ATM. But I hope to eventually mimic a few rail tours with a west coast railways 37 or 47 giving a kettle assistance with some coaching stock. I need to speed match the locos as well, first.

[aleopardstail]

have to say I have never yet tried consisting, or really been equipped to do so (either lack of similar locos or not enough space to run them doubled up) so can't really comment on that part

Me neither ATM. But I hope to eventually mimic a few rail tours with a west coast railways 37 or 47 giving a kettle assistance with some coaching stock. I need to speed match the locos as well, first.

yes on the speed matching, JMRI is pretty good for that sort of speed profiling and adjustment