Model Railway Digital Controller (DCC++) for £40 or less! 😮

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NOTES:

A few people have noted that the voltage used in this video is quite high for an OO layout and they're right, especially if running Z or N gauge. If I were to do it again I would use a lower voltage. You'll need to select a power supply to suit your layout, keeping in mind that there will be some voltage drop between supply and locomotives depending on the length of your bus and other factors. There is a handy guide here: https://sites.google.com/site/markgur...

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A step by step guide to building a DCC++ base station for under £40. This can be used with a computer and the free JMRI software to control a digital model railway. This setup is as good as, if not better than, control systems that can cost hundreds. No soldering required.

This is what I used for Little Wicket to automate trains, switch points and control signals.

All credit goes to the Arudino project, the JMRI community and Gregg Berman, creator of DCC++, for making this possible.

Arduino website: www.arduino.cc
JMRI website: www.jmri.org

Ebay and Amazon Affiliate Links
(Full disclosure, as an Amazon Associate and Ebay partner I earn from qualifying purchases through these links and this helps to support the channel)

Arduino Mega (https://amzn.to/3LiTbXm)
Motor Shield (https://amzn.to/3zxILke)
Wifi Shield (https://amzn.to/45W08Hx)
Servos (https://amzn.to/3WfnX9V)
IR sensors (https://amzn.to/3zBQUUE)
Arduino Jumper Wires (https://amzn.to/4f0jRKj)
Power Supply (https://amzn.to/3WgJHCs)
15V Laptop Power Supply (https://amzn.to/3W0TECm)

Chapters
0:00 - Introduction
1:29 - Preparation
6:40 - Step 1: Install Arduino software
7:54 - Step 2: Connect Arduino to computer
8:37 - Step 3: Download DCC++ sketch
9:30 - Step 4: Upload sketch to Arduino
10:42 - Step 5: Prepare motor shield
12:00 - Step 6: Assemble base station
13:44 - Step 7: Connect output wires
16:12 - Step 8: Connect power supply
18:05 - Step 9: Install JMRI software
19:08 - Step 10: Connect base station to computer and track
19:41 - Step 11: Setup base station on JMRI
20:30 - Step 12: Add locomotive to roster
22:15 - Step 13: Test locomotive on layout