I'm using DCC-EX, which can put out DC with PWM controlled in software, I could still monitor current and voltage in DC mode, and don't need a dpdt switch. Very elegant solution.
Thanks, I’d not seen DCC-EX before. I just had a quick read and it looks really interesting. I’ll definitely have a closer look as it does sound like a much neater solution.
@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway The only thing I would point out is that the PWM rate is tied to the processor clock, so for the Arduino it's 133 KHz, which creates an audible hum in some locos. The ESP32 based board is much faster and may be effectively silent. Another neat thing is you can stack two power boards and get 4 channels, each of which is toggleable from the handset (your phone) between DCC, Prog, DC+ and DC-.
One of the best tutorials of this type I've seen. Extremely informative and watchable. Regarding the placement of the power meter, I'd suggest adding a separate low-cost meter - see the item OOBill uses, for example - somewhere between the DPDT switch and the Heritage Track feed. But I guess you've already thought of that option and discounted it. Like the "power districts" approach.
That's a great idea, thanks! It would only need to work on DC power as the DCC Concepts one will catch everything running on DCC. So putting it between the Gaugemaster controller and the switch should work nicely.
Thanks. My brain naturally tries to take things and break them down into smaller chunks and hopefully that manifests itself in the way the video is put together.
Hey Martyn - thanks for the kind mention! Must admit I don't know much about Loconet but I guess in broadcast terms it's similar to CMRI - there's so little data, in modern terms, being thrown around, that it really doesn't matter. Looking at your diagram, the thing that interested me is Loconet seems to be a ring network - is that correct? Regards, Chris
Thanks Chris! I didn't mention it in the video but I am a total protocol geek. And I hadn't heard of CMRI before, so now I'm reading the protocol spec! Yes I think you're right, you don't have lots of chatty devices using bloated protocols so you don't get the issues you run into in other environments. I think the concept of LocoNet is similar to a ring, in that each device always has two interfaces, but I don't think you're ever supposed to create rings. I'm now kind of intrigued to know what happens if you did create a loop, but not brave enough to try in case you get the equivalent of a broadcast storm and it starts frying things.
Great video, which has given me some good ideas for my own future layout wiring. I know I'll need to think about multiple power districts too, and the PM74 is one possible way to do it, but is it Digitrax specific, or would it work with any DCC system to just split the power into districts, without any Digitrax or Loconet "smarts"?
Thanks! From re-reading the PM74 manual I believe it would do short protection with any DCC system. But without Loconet you would lose some of its other functionality. I believe the DCC Specialities PSX-4 does a similar job, although haven't used one myself. You could chat to James at DCC Train Automation or someone at DCC Concepts, as they have always given me good advice when I've needed it. Hope that helps.
@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway Hi, thanks for the reply, yes, I also read the PM74 manual last night and I agree it sounds like it would work for power districts and protection, but obviously no Loconet features. I looked at the PSXX range a while back, and they're good... also quite expensive if I remember rightly. Thanks again. Mike.
I'm using DCC-EX, which can put out DC with PWM controlled in software, I could still monitor current and voltage in DC mode, and don't need a dpdt switch. Very elegant solution.
Thanks, I’d not seen DCC-EX before. I just had a quick read and it looks really interesting. I’ll definitely have a closer look as it does sound like a much neater solution.
@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway The only thing I would point out is that the PWM rate is tied to the processor clock, so for the Arduino it's 133 KHz, which creates an audible hum in some locos. The ESP32 based board is much faster and may be effectively silent. Another neat thing is you can stack two power boards and get 4 channels, each of which is toggleable from the handset (your phone) between DCC, Prog, DC+ and DC-.
One of the best tutorials of this type I've seen. Extremely informative and watchable.
Regarding the placement of the power meter, I'd suggest adding a separate low-cost meter - see the item OOBill uses, for example - somewhere between the DPDT switch and the Heritage Track feed. But I guess you've already thought of that option and discounted it.
Like the "power districts" approach.
That's a great idea, thanks! It would only need to work on DC power as the DCC Concepts one will catch everything running on DCC. So putting it between the Gaugemaster controller and the switch should work nicely.
@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway Happy to help 😊
Very informative. Love the structured approach
Thanks. My brain naturally tries to take things and break them down into smaller chunks and hopefully that manifests itself in the way the video is put together.
Very well explained
Thank you, glad you liked. Have been thinking about this one for a while so its great to know it came across ok.
Hey Martyn - thanks for the kind mention! Must admit I don't know much about Loconet but I guess in broadcast terms it's similar to CMRI - there's so little data, in modern terms, being thrown around, that it really doesn't matter. Looking at your diagram, the thing that interested me is Loconet seems to be a ring network - is that correct? Regards, Chris
Thanks Chris! I didn't mention it in the video but I am a total protocol geek. And I hadn't heard of CMRI before, so now I'm reading the protocol spec! Yes I think you're right, you don't have lots of chatty devices using bloated protocols so you don't get the issues you run into in other environments. I think the concept of LocoNet is similar to a ring, in that each device always has two interfaces, but I don't think you're ever supposed to create rings. I'm now kind of intrigued to know what happens if you did create a loop, but not brave enough to try in case you get the equivalent of a broadcast storm and it starts frying things.
Great video, which has given me some good ideas for my own future layout wiring. I know I'll need to think about multiple power districts too, and the PM74 is one possible way to do it, but is it Digitrax specific, or would it work with any DCC system to just split the power into districts, without any Digitrax or Loconet "smarts"?
Thanks! From re-reading the PM74 manual I believe it would do short protection with any DCC system. But without Loconet you would lose some of its other functionality. I believe the DCC Specialities PSX-4 does a similar job, although haven't used one myself. You could chat to James at DCC Train Automation or someone at DCC Concepts, as they have always given me good advice when I've needed it. Hope that helps.
@@DonningtonCastleModelRailway Hi, thanks for the reply, yes, I also read the PM74 manual last night and I agree it sounds like it would work for power districts and protection, but obviously no Loconet features. I looked at the PSXX range a while back, and they're good... also quite expensive if I remember rightly. Thanks again. Mike.
Does bi-directional running mean a train that likes boy trains as well as girl trains?
It’s definitely an inclusive layout so all trains are welcome.