DCC++EX Wifi & Web Throttle
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 янв 2025
- The developers at DCC++EX have been busy adding new features to their project. Little by little they're giving model railroaders a sneak peek at what they have in the Discord Server and in a Facebook group.
I was fortunate enough t get the necessary code and components to put this together to show here.
In order to get the web browser to operate, you must first go to - chrome://flags/
Then enable "Experimental Web Platform features"
DCC++EX: dcc-ex.com/
Facebook Link: / 1406785379394934
Web Throttle: www.dcc-ex.com...
Discord Server: / discord
MakerFab Wifi shield: www.makerfabs....
S U P P O R T THIS C H A N N E L
LOCALS: trainofthought...
Rumble: rumble.com/c/T...
Amazon Link:www.amazon.com...
PayPal : paypal.me/toms...
Membership:
/ @tomstrainsandthings
Music on all videos from Epidemic Sound. Get One Month Free when you subscribe through this link. Here is a short playlist
share.epidemic...
CONTACT INFORMATION:
workbenchwednesday@gmail.com
tomstrainsandthings@gmail.com
tomstrainofthou...
#tomstrainofthought
#structurekits
#floridatrainshows
Disclaimers: all opinions are my own, sponsors are acknowledge.
Intended for viewers over the age of 14
Another Alpha feature IS the AP mode. We have more testing to do and want to see if we can adjust the server name, but if you go to your phone with Engine Driver installed and click on your phone network settings to look for networks you can connect to, you can look for something that looks like an ESP8266 ;) It usually has something like "farylink_123456" or "AI-THINKER_123456". The name of the firmware followed by a number. Any of you who try this, please report your AP name. One of the things we want to see is if we can easily change that AP name. In any case, login to that AP. Then find the IP address, it is usually 192.168.4.1 (a separate subnet separate from the usual 192.168.1.1 of a home router) and login with engine driver! Just enter the IP address into ED, select port 3532. It should work ;)
Thanks for the info. I'll try that out when I get a chance. I remember seeing the name farylink when I was playing around with it initially.
Have I to use only MAKERFABS ESP8266 wifi shield module or can i use other wifi shield module?
@@federicosarnico You might want to check on the DCC-EX web site or Discord to see if they teasted any other 8266 devices
Another great video! The production quality on your videos are always top notch. Great detail and also gives us ideas on improvements. Plus we can point to you for tutorials! And that locomotive sure runs smoothly as slow speed. Nice engine.
Thank you so much. Always available to help!
They should add i2c motor shields as a option since so many of them are. Yes I didn't do my homework and wasted money on a adafruit motor shield!
That's so awesome. I can't wait to get DCC++ going. Getting closer. Very informative and made me want it even more. Great Video! Brian
Thanks Brian. Stay safe with those two hurricanes headed your way!
@@TomsTrainsandThings Could be a great opportunity to go LIVE! :-) Would rather not chance it though. Thanks Tom!
@@IronHorseModelRailroad I did that in the eye of Irma 3 yrs ago on FB. Did A live stream outside the night before on RUclips.
As always very interesting. I enjoy these videos but they are all way above my pay grade. Thanks for sharing. Dave
Glad you like them Dave!
It's very intimidating to look at instructions and videos but the reality is that it's super easy and nearly fool proof.
Hi Tom. Good tidings to you. Just wanted to know if there are forward slashes between blah blah blah or dots? Thanks for the updates on ++EX!!
Both! Good to see you commenting again!
Hi Tom, got everything on the software site as adviced. One simple question arised when whatching your videos. With the Uno as base board there are two wire connections on the motorshield. Using an Mega this reduces to one connection. My question is what happens when you hook up the WIFI shield? I don't see any wire connection beside the Rx and Tx connection between the boards. Could you please tell me. Greatings from Germany Lutz Wunderlich
The Mega only needs 1 jumper because of the different pin allocation between the two devices.
I haven't downloaded the latest version of the software but there was talk that they were going to eliminate as many jumpers as possible. On the older download, the connection for the TX + RX was in the documentation in the zip file.
Aliexpress has mega 2560 with esp8266 onboard for about 10 $ so
no need for shield, works fine.
As the developers test more devices and adjust the code to accommodate them. There will be more available, but I think they will have a limit on compatible devices.
@@TomsTrainsandThings It is working perfect with DCC++ EX and esp8266 has AT firmware already installed, working on Serial 3 as requested. I tried it with my android phone, no problem.
not sure if there was a video comparing DCC++EX with a Digitrax system as an example. I hear from some people comment that DCC++Ex is 'not worth the trouble'. They do not explain exactly why? Or is there any advantage of Arduino based DCC compared to a standard one like Digitrax other than price difference?
I hear that a lot from people that think they have to write code and build the components. Everything is already done for you, all you have to do is plug a few components together and your on your way. Using a Raspberry Pi as as computer, the Uno Or Mega, a motor shield & wifi board. $50 max. The biggest expense is the RasPi. The operating sys along with JMRI for the RasPi is already configured by M. Steve Todd. All you have to do is download the file to a micro SD card and the utility does all the rest.
You have all the features of a Digitrax or any other DCC system for a fraction of the cost.
I am not aware of any video comparing the two
You can find the most recent version and more available motor shields and wifi boards on their web site and there is always someone to answer questions you may have on the Discord server.
dcc-ex.com/
discord.gg/gvMxgYmz
It's so not any trouble at all. I went from zero model train experience to sitting on the couch running my train around the tree for $60 and about 1 hour of doing the build and automated upload. I spent way more time worrying if I would be able to do this or not.
Once I realized I had missed the step of connecting my phone to the wifi shield, I started running without issue. My granddaughter can sit on my lap on the couch and run the train's horn until everyone else says, cut it out.
We all miss little details that stump us. Then palm slap our self in the forehead afterward. LOL Enjoy!
Hi Tom. If I were to eventually go with EX, do I still need the Uno and motor shield in addition to the nega 2560 esp 8266? Does the mega piggy back on the motor shield? Thanks
The Mega is the big brother to the Uno. One or the other. The wifi shield is on top of the motor shield. Now you have more options for wifi. Check the DCC++EX web site.
Tom, I built this but cannot turn the power on to the motor shield with the app. I can only get it turned on using my computer. How do you turn on the motor shield with the app?
Did you add the extension to the chrome browser to allow the app to function? You need it to function properly.
I've been using the original DCC++ for a while with JRMI and I quite like it. It works well.
I know DCC++Ex is an Extension of DCC++. Aside from the WiFi controller connections, are there any other big differences?
I have a spare Arduino Mega WiFi from another (disbanded) project and noticed it may be compatible with DCC++EX and thought I might try it out.
They have made many updates since this video. For up to date info and chat with developers, head on over to their Discord: discord.gg/kVXUUBcz
@@TomsTrainsandThings Thanks for that. I'll have a look and see if anything is a major advantage over the original DCC++. I am thinking for a small layout it may be barely noticeable but the speed improvements could be beneficial on more complex layouts
Better performance for one.
How to add roster in Engine Driver?
Steve Todd is on the DCC-EX Discord Server. He can easily answer that. discord.gg/yZfTUp75
Awesome tom. Big Dcc makers must be losing out with all this arduino dcc stuff. It was only a matter of time.
While they keep raising prices with basically no new updates, the DCC++EX crew is crushing it with new features after new features! They are listening to what the modelers want. Did you check out their Discord server yet?
@@TomsTrainsandThings i just started looking today. new to Discord.
@@FBMRR I've been on there for a long time but never used it until recently.
How do you delete loco from EX‑WebThrottle list
The developers of the software monitor this site
discord.gg/2DmN59wZ
I have my Arduino Uno, Arduino Motor Shield and have ordered the wifi shield mentioned in this video.
The basestation currently has the old original DCC++ sketch installed but want to install the new DCC++ EX sketch to accommodate the wifi shield in order to talk to JMRI on my lap top.
Is there a short tutorial to set this up?
This is an older video covering DCC++ but can also be used for the newer version.You'll have to go to the DCC-EX web page or discord to get the latest update. It is constantly updating.
ruclips.net/video/a-gtdccugL0/видео.html
Does the DCC++ EX sketch accomodate the wifi shield? How is the wifi shield set up with your LAN/JMRI ?
The DCC++ EX site had no instructions on this.
Notice you're using a mega and the jumper configuration is nothing I'm familiar with. Will the DCC-EX site explain this with the use of the ESP8266?
@@davidbowman5407 You would be better off going to their Discord Server. There is always someone there to answer a question. The web site only shows devices that they already approved, but on Discprd you can request additional devices.
Would love to see a close up of how those jumpers are configured.
Dear Tom, I'm a German Model rail road fan. A couple of weeks ago I found the RUclips channels connected to JMRI/DCC++ and related. As you may know there is a lot of German hard and software to Model rail road but, I found you entry with the Arduino and additional shields to built a Command Station/ Power supply very interesting. Unfortunately not all equipment you use is available on the German market (the wifi shield from makerfabs/ even not with ebay/ amazon) but most of the parts are and for others I found a substitute. What I did not find is the related software. I am not member of facebook but it seems that the file needed to complete the setup shown in your video is only available there. Could you please help me to get the file on any other way (maybe by email?). I would really appreciate your support. Thanks for all your videos which I really like. Best regards Lutz Wunderlich
Thanks for watching and taking an interest in my channel & DCC++EX. You can get the updated code and a list of boards that will work.
dcc-ex.com/
You can also ask questions 24/7 and get additional info on Discord:
discord.gg/gvMxgYmz
@@TomsTrainsandThings Thanks Tom for your quick answer. I'll follow up your advices and, if neccessary I will come back with questions.
Remember this is connected to your home network wifi and NOT the board itself...yet...that's coming later
Can't wait for the self contained.
Congrats on the 14 subscribers. woo hoo
Mine is its own wifi. I connect to the base station and then run.
great how to video.. spell check work lol
Thanks Dwight. lol. My fingers always hit multiple keys or the wrong one all the time. I have to go back a to check my work.