So today I was thinking about what it would take to get a DCC system. I have a number of things working against me when it comes to getting one. First, and perhaps the most significant, is the fact that I don’t have much money to spend (I’m in high school!). In addition I live overseas so getting stuff over here is a bit of a pain (usually involves airplane luggage), especially considering that fact that within a few years I go back to the US anyway! And finally I find that the most popular DCC systems on the market (i.e. Digitrax, NCE) are kind of outdated and cumbersome (meaning the screens are small, programing locos is a pain, they were designed 20 years ago, etc.)
So with these things in mind I began to search the internet for DCC systems liked. I really like some of those newer systems like ESUs or TCSs that are designed to work around WiFi and such, but they are super expensive! I also like the Pi-Sprog system but it’s still more than I’d like to spend at $170ish. Still I looked into the Pi-Sprog and that’s when I stumbled upon DCC++.
Now there has been a lot of talk about uses of arduinos in model railroading, the big magazines seem to really like running articles on them, but one modeler, Gregg Berman has taken arduinos to the next level. He use C++ programming language to make program to run on an arduino that makes the arduino a DCC system, DCC++ (a combination DCC and C++). Gregg is in my opinion an absolute genius for coming up with this, and even better, he has made it open source and free for everyone to download and edit and whatever!
The great thing about this system is it’s price! The arduino and shield and power supply needed total at about $50. That’s 1/10th the price of a full DCC system and miles below even the starter system! The only thing is the user must make the system, but I’ve watched a few YouTube videos and it isn’t much more that plug everything together and download/upload the cod
I commend your innovative ways to, despite limited financial resources, get a DCC system. I was a bit too intimidated by doing my own assembly of a system, so I opted for the Pi-Sprog system that you mention, and I do not regret that decision.
There are a couple more considerations that I would like to throw in though:
An alternative to assembling your own system or buying a new system is checking out ebay for a used system. People upgrade all the time, and put their old one on the market for a reasonable price that may not be much higher than your self assembled one.
The additional cost of DCC over DC is not just the command station, but also the cost of decoders for your engines.
I do know that decoders are an issue with regards to cost. Initially the only DCC loco I will in theory I will be able to equip will be my Arnold U28C. I will use a decoder Digitrax sells for less than $30. I suppose I could also look for used decoders…
I did look on EBay quick for used stuff but there where few option all in the $70 and higher range. Plus if I build my own system I will have a better understanding of how it works and have the satisfaction involved! I do really like doing computer stuff!
Honestly this is just an idea, I’m not certain if I will do this, but because of the cost involved it is very plausible for me!
I would say go for it. I really have a blast with my Arduinos. I’m not a programmer by any means but I struggled through my own signal controller program and it works great.
I’ve had my share of programming issues with my Arduinos but with help from the Forum members I’ve conquered them all.
I’m not planning to use the Arduinos for anything DCC, I’m quite happy with my MRC Prodigy Advance². I have several $17 Digitrax decoders that work very good.
When you get your Arduino up and running keep us informed with your project.
DCC++ has been kicking around for a few years already–I don’t know if Gregg Berman is even doing anything with it anymore.
I built a DCC++ system, though I bought the cheap Chinese Arduino knock offs so I didn’t spend that much.
I was already using JMRI on an old laptop, so that wasn’t a problem for me. JMRI has something called Withrottle, so I bought an old wireless router at Goodwill for $1.99 and set it up as an access point for my trains, and people gave me old smart phones to use as throttles.
I built a small one as a benchtop decoder programmer. Works pretty good for that. I’ve never been clear on what I’d need to do if I wanted to power even a modest layout.
Depends. Gregg Berman was an N-scaler, so he built the system to work with a 2 Amp system. If you have a 12-15 v power supply, you can power a small N scale layout no problem with the basic system. HO you may want 15-18v, up to 2A power supply. The A outputs are for the main track, the B outputs are for the programming track.
Hey everyone, sorry I’ve not been on for the past little while, I could load any of the forum webpages… though it seems others are having the same problem…
To clarify I am in N scale, layout is very small, just a loop, siding and two spurs. I only use on feeder wire for the entire layout, though I would like to change that soon.
Right now I only plan to add DCC to one locomotive, an Arnold U28C, as it is the only locomotive I have that I can install DCC without soldering anything (I only have a very bad solder iron). I know that make DCC a little useless, but I still want it for the fun of building it and so I have a system in the future.
Also does anyone know if you can use address zero on DCC++
