DCC-EX Power Button..

[aleopardstail]

Using DCC-EX here, wonderful, works lovely

however the PC is in one room and the layout elsewhere, not a huge issue, WiFi between them works just fine, can use WiThrotteLite to drive a train.

which cannot turn the power on/off, I think the full one can.

left with two choice, go up and down stairs to turn the power on and off, a pain, or:



DCC-EX can be configured to listen to serial ports for throttles, well I don't need a full throttle, but an Arduino Nano sending <0> for power off and <1> for power on works perfectly.

the hardware is literally the Nano and two push buttons, internal pull up and connection to ground using the "button" library to manage debounce etc, serial link at 115,200 baud and thats it. could make it do more but this was what is needed - powered from the Mega via the motor board, works fine.

no longer have to climb stairs!

[centenary]

You can get wireless plugs that you can turn the power off for a device via your home wifi network. They're about 8 quid sterling. I intend using one to turn the DCC \ DC power on \ off to save me ducking under the boards.

https://www.toolstation.com/tp-link-tap ... lug/p59000

[aleopardstail]

You can get wireless plugs that you can turn the power off for a device via your home wifi network. They're about 8 quid sterling. I intend using one to turn the DCC \ DC power on \ off to save me ducking under the boards.

https://www.toolstation.com/tp-link-tap ... lug/p59000

I actually have something similar arriving later today. this is less to power the thing itself on and off and more to turn the track power on and off - e.g. it will turn off if there is a short, this way I can clear it and turn it back on again

and the wall sockets for this are in an awkward place, hence the remote plug to physically power on and off - only occurred to me after I built the power box that while yes I can reach over to the switch on the side I can't so easily do it from where I'll be operating from.

may also add in a few E-Stop buttons dotted about to cut the power at a later stage. same working method can be used to actually drive trains too

[centenary]

You can get wireless plugs that you can turn the power off for a device via your home wifi network. They're about 8 quid sterling. I intend using one to turn the DCC \ DC power on \ off to save me ducking under the boards.

https://www.toolstation.com/tp-link-tap ... lug/p59000

I actually have something similar arriving later today. this is less to power the thing itself on and off and more to turn the track power on and off - e.g. it will turn off if there is a short, this way I can clear it and turn it back on again

and the wall sockets for this are in an awkward place, hence the remote plug to physically power on and off - only occurred to me after I built the power box that while yes I can reach over to the switch on the side I can't so easily do it from where I'll be operating from.

may also add in a few E-Stop buttons dotted about to cut the power at a later stage. same working method can be used to actually drive trains too

Sounds like a good plan!