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…....................................…………………........--- DCC-EX –---
.....................--- What it is and what your options are ---
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DCC-EX is a software and hardware solution …. that allows one to operate/control DCC and/or DC trains along with options to control turnouts, signaling, automation, and much more. The base hardware is the Command Station (CS) which creates the commands that it receives from throttles/cabs and converts that into a DCC signal that is sent to the track or tracks to control your train, and other items such as turnouts if one is controlling them also with throttles, switches or sensors. The DCC-EX software can be installed on a number of different platforms.
NOTE about Power Supplies: You can connect power supplies of different voltages to the CS depending on your needs. Check the info ( HERE ).
NOTE about Motorshields: Most command stations have track outputs as part of the command station. That is true of the CSB1 below. Some of the DCC-EX command station options are two to three components (CS, MotorShield & WiFi). The main board is the actual command station that the software is loaded into. On top of it a MotorShield is plugged in. A MotorShield amplifies the DCC output from the CS into the voltage and amperage output of the power supply you are using that is connected to it.
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DCC-EX Command Station (CS) options:
DCC-EX CSB1 Command Station --- The CSB1 CS along with an inexpensive power supply has the following features in a single package.
…. The CSB1 can be bought as a ready-to-run command station. Check the video ( HERE ) to see how easy it is to use.
…. Two 5 amp track outputs that can be configured on the go as DCC, Program or DC track outputs (yes you can run a DC train with DCC-EX).
…. The DCC-EX software from most suppliers is already installed on the CS.
…. The software can be updated at any time using the simple to use EX-Installer program.
…. The CSB1 has WiFi which will work with a number of WiFi throttles. Android & IOS phone & tablet throttles, some commercial WiFi throttles and ones that are fairly easy to build for $50 or less.
…. The CSB1 can also be used as a booster to add more power districts connected to either a DCC-EX CS or a number of other CS’s.
…. CSB1 cost (25-07-27) is US $120 (check for tariff updates), UK £109, EU €74,16 & AU, NZ and APAC $AU190
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DCC-EX 8874 MotorShield addition to CSB1 CS ---
…. One can plug an 8874 MotorShield into the top of the CSB1 for 2 more track outputs (4 total).
…. All track outputs can still be configured as DCC, Program or DC track outputs.
…. 8874 MotorShield cost (25-07-27) is US $40 (check for tariff updates), UK £43, EU €40,00 & AU, NZ and APAC $AU70
…. You can have up to 8 or 10 track outputs off a DCC-EX CS but going past 4 is difficult and requires a lot of wiring in addition to track wiring and software changes.
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DCC-EX Arduino Mega Command Station & Arduino MotorShield or DCC-EX 8874 MotorShield ---
…. You will need to install the software for this command station option along with plugging the electronic components together.
…. Only an Arduino Mega or the Elegoo Mega 2560 for the command station part of the build are supported.
…. Only an Arduino MotorShield, a DCC-EX 8874 Motorshield or a Deek-Robot Motorshield are supported.
…. Only a Makerfabs WiFi Shield or the DCC-EX 8266 WiFi Shield (aka Makerfabs shield) are supported.
…. This is not a ready-to-run build but still not a hard build. No soldering required. The only wiring for the command station is plugging in two jumper wires if you add the WiFi module. Look at the video ( HERE ) to see how easy the build part of this is. Stop where he installs the software as….
…. You can to use the EX-Installer to install the software in a few minutes so no need to know how to use anything else for the software install.
…. The Mega has quite a bit of memory if you are going to control turnouts, signals and have automation on the layout. All of those require memory in the command station. The CSB1 and the options below have more memory and you could move to them if memory became a problem.
…. cost for this option can be between $50 and $100 (US) depending where you source the parts from and where you are.
…. a very cost effective DCC-EX command station but will require and hour or two of your time and more effort knowledge gathering than buying the ready-to-run CSB1.
…. With the 8874 MotorShield you can have up to 5 amps of power for the two tracks. With the Arduino or Deek-Robot shields that is limited to a little under 2 amps per track.
…. You have 2 track outputs and to add more up to 8-10 requires more complicate wiring where 4 track outputs with the CSB1 & 8874 MotorShield are plug-n-play.
…. The track outputs can all be easily configured as DCC, Program and DC.
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DCC-EX Alternative Command Station Options ---
…. The DCC-EX CS software can be loaded on some other (not all) ESP32 and Nucleo platforms (the CSB1 is ESP32 based).
…. For those with really large layouts (almost club size) or with other particular needs this might be an option.
…. These are not plug-n-play options.
…. With some you can use the EX-Installer and in other cases you might need to know how to work with the Arduino IDE.
…. There is info on the DCC-EX web site ( HERE ) explaining some of these options. These are not fully supported. You can look for help on the Discord channel ( HERE ) but keep in mind that these are volunteers offering support and they don’t always have the time to help with every combination of hardware products that one can come up with wondering if it will work or not. Please stay with or close to what they recommend.
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In Conclusion DCC-EX is a great DCC solution for many looking for a new or replacement DCC command station ---
…. It has many options not available with other command stations.
…. Turntable control, TrackManager (DCC, Program & DC track outputs), EXRAIL (simple to use automation and object control language) and much more. Check out all of what DCC-EX can do for you ( HERE ).
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