I am so glad I found DCC-EX. One of the most revolutionary things to happen to model trains in our era. The most important thing it does not break the bank. My Uncle who was into model trains in the 1940s. Built all his own equipment, down to the power supplies. The N scale layout he built in the 1980s before he passed was mind blowing. So much going on in a 4x8 space. Well DCC EX is in the very same spirit of that inventiveness. That can do attitude of folks that lived through the Great Depression had. That attitude was built into the very core of model railroading itself. Complements to everyone involved over the years. Great vid as always Jimmy. It's been a fun ride since DCC EX came onto the scene. As a younger person it makes the hobby look very attractive.

Hi…I recently built a DCC-EX Commandstation and it’s been one of the most worthwhile projects I’ve ever done for my N Scale layout. I feel that the true power of the system and its software is its automation capability. I have developed scripts for all of my locos that control speed, direction, and functions such as bells, horns, brake release sound, etc. I have one script that controls my steam engine that stops at a water tower from Broadway Limited that lowers the water spout and has accompanying sound effects. I think your viewers would find a video on this automation capability very helpful. I enjoy your channel very much.

Those wire connectors are even the same ones as used in the NCE Powercab setup. If you want to order spares DigiKey has them under part # ED1960-ND. I ordered a bag of them to make connections easier.

Would love to see complete base station build to include case, mega, 5 amp shield, Wi-Fi, display with cooling fan.

I build my own DCC-EX command station a few weeks ago (using the standard Arduino motor shield) - it couldn't have been simpler. As soon as these new shields are available, I will grab one or two. Thanks for explaining all about this great product, Jimmy.

Great way to get into DCC. Thanks for sharing.

Game changer is an understatement! Plug the board in, no breaking connections, only a single power supply? Can I get a WOO WOO!!!!

Can't to get my hands on this, I already have a layout this will be a good option, Great Work Jimmy...

Another great video. There have been many delays in my own DCC-EX build due to other (non-railroad) priorities. But I must say with this board, when I do finally get started, it will be like jumping into the future.

That is AWESOME. THANK YOU MR JIM

More and more interesting Jimmy. Let's hope this encourages more younger people into the hobby, and even some older people on a limited income. Wish I had known about this a few years ago when I bought my setup.

I just built my first DCC EX system this week with the EX8874 board. It came assembled, but I had some problems with it that had me spinning my wheels for a couple of days, until I examined the underside of the motor board closely. The green track connections were not completely soldered to the board! A quick soldering fix and I was good to go. I am very happy with my system now. So word to the wise ... check the construction of your boards before you stack them!

Now, add the new uno R4 and you have more memory AND built in wifi! Or, add the new Arduino Giga and Giga display and you have more memory, built in wifi, and a touchscreen display to control. I'm an automation developer, just now getting into model trains. The possibilities with the new Arduino line up, mind blown. Thank you for your quality videos.

@DIYDigitalRailroad

5 ай бұрын

You need to get involved with the DCC EX project. They have a pretty active discord.

Got one of these last week for my first DCC-EX set up, beside the Makerfab wifi shield having bad firmware (which was resolved by the amazing help on DCC-EX discord) the set up was incredibly easy, up and running in maybe 20 minutes. My father who has 2xNCE powercabs (incl my old one) couldn't believe easy it was and also pumping out 5A. I'm only running small N Scale set up so I'll never need 5A, but amazing to have it. Now its time do go down the rabbit hole of Ex-Rail and really unlock the power of DCC-EX. Being able to just hook up, and go direct to wifi controller on an iPad is a gamechanger, no JMRI, no additional dongles (like NCE/Digitrax), it feels like model trains are finally in the 21st century. Hopefully this helps bring the younger generation into it

@elijahfox7323

9 ай бұрын

Ross were you able to get your firmware flashed correctly? I'd appreciate if you could add a link showing the rest of us how from the discord. I found some instructables and github but am still having problems

I have two DCC-EX setups. One uses Arduino Motor Shield REV3 while the second one uses the Markerfabs and all use the ESP8266 WiFi shield and 20 x4 display. They work fine accept the display for Markerfabs doesn’t work, it lights up but I get no message. Both displays work’s fine when hooked to the Arduino Motor Shield REV3.

@dantecant

Ай бұрын

Sorry, I should have said EX-MotorShield8874 RevA not Markerfab. The real question is how do I hookup the EX-MotorShield8874 RevA and the LCD 20 x4 display? Both displays work’s fine when hooked to the Arduino Motor Shield REV3.

So this is the video that convinced me to switch the railroad to DCC-EX. While I am waiting for the new release of the EX-motorshield. I ordered 2- mega 2563 wifi r3 boards. One for the layout driver and one for the turntable and yard. 6- 2channel dual relays modules. May need about 20 in total for power routing the yard and turntable. 1-aduino Motor shield rev3 (to be upgraded to the new board) stepper motors and motor controller for the turntable hall sensors for turntable location 1-split ring conductor for turntable power This should be almost everything for the layout and turntable to replace the NCE power cab. And moves the power from 2 amps to 10 amps supply. There are so many projects we are looking at adding to the layout including. Tunnel detection and signaling. Power routing switches. Switch signals. Turntable power routing to engine house. Jmri Itlntergration. But first the DCC- EX adoption with the EX-turntable routine. I have alot to learn and hope im on the right track. I havw lots of questions. This is for a 16'x16' n scale layout that was originally dual cab DC and now NCE procab DCC.

Sweet! I bought 2 of the wifi shields but only made one command station. I was planning on going with the 8A motor shield for the second station. Edit: In another note, I hope they come out with a 10A version that I can use with my Aristo-Craft locomotives. They need like 6A each.

awesome video 👍👍👍👍

Neat stuff

Good video

Just stumbled onto this video and went to the link site. I can't find a trace of this EX Motor shield. Did this go away?? Wonder if you can provide some info on this! Keep up the great work

Do you still need normal decoders for the locomotives? I'm not sure because I want to add lighting to my layout as well.

I have my Mega, got my DCC-EX motor shield today. Anxiously awaiting my WiFi shield

Jimmy, are you getting your Discord DMs?

I'm still intimidated Jimmy 😵‍💫

Jimmy. Thank you for the video. If I wanted to run a turntable, and other items. Will this system Handel that, or do you need something else

@petegsx

9 ай бұрын

Yep! DCC-EX has added EX-Turntable for stepper motor driven turntables (and can do horizontal or vertical traversers as well), and control turnouts/points, signals, and so forth.

Anxiously awaiting my DCC-EX motor shield

@DrDiff952

9 ай бұрын

Got it today awaiting my WiFi Shield. Then need a DCC equipt N gague loco

Is there a DCC controller/system you recommend on a budget that does not require any software programming?

Hey Jimmy, Can you upload a video of flashing the firmware to the wifi shield you recommended to the 1.7.4? I got this dcc-ex system after watching your videos and I love it, but it came to me with v2.2.0 and it doesn't work reliably for wifi control now. Would appreciate any insight you have into this.

I have one of these boards and was going to start my build, but then Arduino brought out the R4 board...

Is it possible to set up without a laptop? Say maybe a smart phone or something?

I started with the basic Arduino DCC++ base station and motor shield. My layout has grown and I would like to use the higher amperage DCC-EX 5amp motor shield. Is this possible? I've heard it can possibly be done by changing the Arduino base station code and then compliing and uploading the new code to the base station to increase my available motor driver amperage. Can you help?

@chrisholme5581

7 ай бұрын

You can program an Arduino many many times. Just replace the old shield with the new one and upload new code like Jimmy shows us in this video.

Got my DCC-EX motor shield. Mounted it on my MEGA (waiting on WiFi shield.) Confused, Do i need two power supplies 1 for mega and1 for motor shield? Or can i get buy with a single 12 volt 5 amp powersupply? Going into megga or going into DCC-EX motorshield?

@DIYDigitalRailroad

9 ай бұрын

If it is this EX motorshield, you only need to plug in the power to the motorshield.

Fast forward 7 months, can't find any US distributors with this :sad panda:

Hello

See, I just look at this and all I can think of is, "I just have digitrax and all I need to do is plug in the wires for the track and go."

@andrewl9191

9 ай бұрын

I did end up getting a more expensive digitrax, but literally just plugged in the adapter to the unit and the wall. Put the track power cords into the front. Plugged in the controller, and I was off and going. All the dcc-ex arduino whatever, circuit boards, loading, whatever.... I Just haven't a clue...and I'm 39.

this board NEVER is in stock!

I have no idea what you are talking about. I am completely lost. However, I will just by the Digitrax stuff and let it do the work.

Just one or two views of the board will be enough.

DCC-EX doesn't work when your WiFi shield doesn't work. POS makerfab WiFi shield doesn't work.