I’ve got a Raspberry PI with an arduino running JMRI and I can hook that up to track and run mainline and program track.
Question:
This is fine for a very small layout. I’m curious how this would “scale” to run a large layout with multiple power supplies and power blocks? I’m also interested in using the NCE Power cab. Is it possible to integrate both of these on a layout or is it an “either/or” type of proposition? If these can be integated, how would I “switch” between the two modes of control? Any links to how to set up something like this appreciated!
Somewhat new to this, so I may not have all of basic concepts worked out yet.
Can’t help you with the scaling question. I’ve always just properly sized the DCC system to the layout and used DCC circuit breakers to create appropriate power blocks.
As for two DCC systems on a single layout, it has been done in VERY limited circumstances (think the huge modular setups, thousands of square feet, seen mostly in Europe), but it’s quite complex to successfully pull off and IMHO not worth it for home-sized layouts. A far better option as far as I’m concerned is what I mentioned above - Properly size your DCC system to your layout, instead of kludging things together.
do you mean you have JMRI running on a Pi and DCC++/EX running on an Arduino?
JMRI is not a DCC system. it has a plethora of model RR features such as programming decoders, and can interface to DCC controlled layouts to support higher level features such as signalling and CTC control of turnouts.
while i believe DCC++ provides track power and DCC signals using a motor shield, I believe it’s possible to use the DCC signal from an Arduino to drive multiple boosters on a larger layout
but larger layouts typically handle many locos and i’m not sure how many separate DCC addresses DCC++ can handle
The PowerCab is a combined controller/command-station/booster. as already mentioned, a layout should have only one command station sourcing the DCC signal
some have combined different systems, including DC, using DPDT switches to select which system is connected to the tracks or specific blocks.
a PowerCab can be used solely as a controller. but i don’t believe DCC++ supports the “cabbus” protocol over RS-485 used by NCE between its controllers and base stations
Some of the introductory books love to show you that you need 5 power supplies and blocks. If you are not reproducing the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, it is over kill.