For Lee and Brice and Bob: I think the article in March 2017 MRH here: www.scalemodelanimation.com/Articles/DCC_Projects_Using_Arduino_Mar2017.pdf or the blog series here: model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 is gives a much better understanding. This was the first video trying to demonstrate it really was a cheap DCC decoder compatible with any DCC system for loco control. Again, thanks for the feed back. There will be new decoder versions sometime soon and I'll see if I can improve the video too. --Have fun, Geoff
Hello. I have a few questions to ask you. I am quite new to this. In the dual motor trigger Audio decoder. How does the Audio trigger work? Also, is there a way to configure the maximum speed Cv, I only get 8 V to the motors and they are very slow. Thank you very much and sorry for the inconvenience.
The audio tracks play independently of the motor controls -- there is no synchronization. In the Dec_2Mot_3LED_TrigAudio.ino decoder sketch, the documentation at the beginning of the sketch states: F1-F4 Controls playing specific audio tracks in the 3rd CV (start) at the volume in the 2nd CV (rate) // F5 Controls playing audio track in CV57 at the volume in CV56 ONLY when F5 is ON and Pin17/A3 is held low, // and plays continuously until F5 turns off or Pin17 trigger goes HIGH or open // F6 plays one track selected randomly off the memory card So depending on what you want to play, F0-F5 and pin 17 can be used to trigger audio play. There is also: Dec_2Mot_10LED_Audio_6Ftn Dual motor drive, Audio Output, 10 LED 8 Function This is a “mobile/function” decoder that adds audio play to dual motor control and LED functions. Audio tracks or clips are stored on a micro SD card for playing, in a folder labeled mp3, with tracks named 0001.mp3, 0002.mp3, etc. F0 is configured as an on/off LED function, F1-F5 play audio tracks 1-5 respectively. F6 plays a random selection in random order of tracks 1-6. F7-F9 control LEDs on Pro Mini Digital Pins 11-13. These are described in the article at the beginning of the associated article.. The decoders in the SMA series that control dual motors have no CV's to control speed, acceleration, or braking. They are simple linear motor controls that take the speed setting +/-127 and map it to Pulse Width Modulation changes to control motor speed. While a number of modelers have used these for simple loco control (including me) there is nothing elaborate about their motor control mechanism. There are low cost (US$20.00) commercial decoders available that do a much better job of single motor control for a bit higher cost. 'Hope this helps. Have fun! 🙂 Best regards, Geoff Bunza
Congratulations on your great work Mr. Bounza. I have assembled your decoder and it works perfectly. I have a question about how you can make the engine sound with the RPM of the engine as shown in the video? I have not been able to. Thank you very much.
Hi Alejandron, Thank you foor your kind words. The engine sound is entirely produced in the model locomotive by a Soundtraxx DCC sound decoder. No other source and no sound editing. 'Hope this helps. Have fun! 🙂 Best regards, Geoff Bunza
Hi. I'm trying this with pi Pico. I'm using bridge rec going through buck converter 5vdc output. Trying both pot divider or optical isolator to get the measure of one half of the DCC square waves. I think the code looks for 12 x 1, 0, then address, then instructions. Am I on the right path?@@DrGeoffB
@@Batman-p8r The details of the protocol, bit by bit can be found in the NMRA specifications, try here: www.nmra.org/index-nmra-standards-and-recommended-practices with the S-9.2 Series for DCC Communications. There is a bunch for to this than decoding the program packets. Have Fun! Best regards, Geoff
Thanks for this work! Very inspiring! Can it be made with a protoboard instead of a pre modeled board? I mean, without soldering? All the components seems to fit in a standard arduino proto board. And secondly, I see that your example do it with 2v LEDs, but if I want to do it with a loco, how do I could connect the arduino with the 12/15v motor? Do I have to use a relay (or a FET module for dc motors) with the current from the rails? Thank you!
Hello, Yes it can, it is a relatively simple circuit. The very first version was built on a solderless protoboard, and the second was point to point soldered on a small perfboard. You can find the first version here: SMA10 - Build a 17-Function DCC Decoder for about $5 model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19070 The latest version of everything can be found here: SMA20 Low Cost 17 Channel DCC Decoders Ver 6.01 with Sound,Triggered Sound,Stepper,Dual Motor,LED and Servo Control model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 A new decoder series will be published shortly-- its not a revision of the SMA2o series. Hvae fun! :-) Best regards, Geoff Bunza
Can it be used to make and drive a locomotive? I mean can the decoder be used to run the motor of the locomotive ? This shall allow to make a dcc ++ locomotive entirely from scratch!? Waiting for your reply..
Yes it can drive a motor (actually 2!). There are 3 different pre-built (of the 19 or so) configurations that you can find here: SMA20 Low Cost 17 Channel DCC Decoders Ver 6.01 with Sound,Triggered Sound,Stepper,Dual Motor,LED and Servo Control model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 There are no special loco control features like momentum and speed tables, etc., just simple linear motor control. Enjoy --Geoff
Hi Doug, Look here: mrhpub.com/2017-03-mar/online/html5/ Page 204 (detailed article) or here: model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 (my blog) for complete construction details, parts list, parts sources, and operating instructions. Have fun! :-) Best regards, Geoff
Hi Jeremy, Yes Agreed. This was one of my earlier attempts. I have tried to allow more time for reading with later tries. The pause button does help a bit.
Without pausing they're tough, but the real meat in this is not the video but the write-up here: scalemodelanimation.com/Articles/DCC_Projects_Using_Arduino_Mar2017.pdf which will be much easier to read! :-) Best regards, Geoff
Hi Dok Bob, Yes, those message come by pretty quickly. The video is an accompaniment to a series of postings: model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19070 model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19446 model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19775 and model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/20739 That describe in detail how to build and use these. The messages in the video show: running a DCC controlled loco up to the decoder attached to the same track, then turning on each of the 17 DCC Functions (attached to LEDs) F0-F16.noting that you can manipulate the functions with any DCC controller that you can control the loco with. All connections were hand soldered to a small perf board. Last, I showed that the little decoder board could be used as a diagnostic tool by setting it to the same DCC address as the loco, and when the loco functions were set, the corresponding LED would light on the board to show what functions were active-- so blowing the diesel horn would light up the F3 corresponding LED. The power-up sequence is also demonstrated, which lights each LED in Sequence and then turns each off in sequence, so you know that everything is working OK. Final comments say you don't need to use all 17 functions, and not all functions need to control LEDs-- servos, relays, and even motors could be attached too. "hope this is a bit clearer. Follow the links above for even more info. Have Fun! :-) Best Regards, Geoff
Gee whizz Geoff. All the effort you went to, thanks but annoying graphics. I had to go 1/2 speed and such a waste of time that I gave up. I appreciate anyone’s efforts to educate but please proof your product. This one is thumbs down. Please edit!
For Lee and Brice and Bob: I think the article in March 2017 MRH here: www.scalemodelanimation.com/Articles/DCC_Projects_Using_Arduino_Mar2017.pdf
or the blog series here: model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 is gives a much better understanding. This was the first video trying to demonstrate it really was a cheap DCC decoder compatible with any DCC system for loco control. Again, thanks for the feed back. There will be new decoder versions sometime soon and I'll see if I can improve the video too. --Have fun, Geoff
Hello. I have a few questions to ask you. I am quite new to this. In the dual motor trigger Audio decoder. How does the Audio trigger work? Also, is there a way to configure the maximum speed Cv, I only get 8 V to the motors and they are very slow. Thank you very much and sorry for the inconvenience.
The audio tracks play independently of the motor controls -- there is no synchronization.
In the Dec_2Mot_3LED_TrigAudio.ino decoder sketch, the documentation at the beginning of the sketch states:
F1-F4 Controls playing specific audio tracks in the 3rd CV (start) at the volume in the 2nd CV (rate)
// F5 Controls playing audio track in CV57 at the volume in CV56 ONLY when F5 is ON and Pin17/A3 is held low,
// and plays continuously until F5 turns off or Pin17 trigger goes HIGH or open
// F6 plays one track selected randomly off the memory card
So depending on what you want to play, F0-F5 and pin 17 can be used to trigger audio play.
There is also:
Dec_2Mot_10LED_Audio_6Ftn Dual motor drive, Audio Output, 10 LED 8 Function
This is a “mobile/function” decoder that adds audio play to dual motor control and LED functions. Audio tracks or clips are stored on a micro SD card for playing, in a folder labeled mp3, with tracks named 0001.mp3, 0002.mp3, etc. F0 is configured as an on/off LED function, F1-F5 play audio tracks 1-5 respectively. F6 plays a random selection in random order of tracks 1-6. F7-F9 control LEDs on Pro Mini Digital Pins 11-13.
These are described in the article at the beginning of the associated article..
The decoders in the SMA series that control dual motors have no CV's to control speed, acceleration, or braking.
They are simple linear motor controls that take the speed setting +/-127 and map it to Pulse Width Modulation changes to control motor speed. While a number of modelers have used these for simple loco control (including me) there is nothing elaborate about their motor control mechanism.
There are low cost (US$20.00) commercial decoders available that do a much better job of single motor control for a bit higher cost.
'Hope this helps. Have fun! 🙂
Best regards,
Geoff Bunza
parádička :) krásny projekt
Veľká vďaka, som rád, že sa vám to páčilo.
S pozdravom Geoff
Many thanks, I am glad you enjoyed this.
Best regards, Geoff
Congratulations on your great work Mr. Bounza. I have assembled your decoder and it works perfectly. I have a question about how you can make the engine sound with the RPM of the engine as shown in the video? I have not been able to. Thank you very much.
Hi Alejandron, Thank you foor your kind words. The engine sound is entirely produced in the model locomotive by a Soundtraxx DCC sound decoder. No other source and no sound editing. 'Hope this helps. Have fun! 🙂
Best regards,
Geoff Bunza
Hi. I'm trying this with pi Pico. I'm using bridge rec going through buck converter 5vdc output. Trying both pot divider or optical isolator to get the measure of one half of the DCC square waves. I think the code looks for 12 x 1, 0, then address, then instructions. Am I on the right path?@@DrGeoffB
@@Batman-p8r The details of the protocol, bit by bit can be found in the NMRA specifications, try here: www.nmra.org/index-nmra-standards-and-recommended-practices with the S-9.2 Series for DCC Communications. There is a bunch for to this than decoding the program packets. Have Fun! Best regards, Geoff
Thanks for this work! Very inspiring! Can it be made with a protoboard instead of a pre modeled board? I mean, without soldering? All the components seems to fit in a standard arduino proto board. And secondly, I see that your example do it with 2v LEDs, but if I want to do it with a loco, how do I could connect the arduino with the 12/15v motor? Do I have to use a relay (or a FET module for dc motors) with the current from the rails? Thank you!
Hello, Yes it can, it is a relatively simple circuit. The very first version was built on a solderless protoboard, and the second was point to point soldered on a small perfboard. You can find the first version here: SMA10 - Build a 17-Function DCC Decoder for about $5 model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19070 The latest version of everything can be found here: SMA20 Low Cost 17 Channel DCC Decoders Ver 6.01 with Sound,Triggered Sound,Stepper,Dual Motor,LED and Servo Control model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 A new decoder series will be published shortly-- its not a revision of the SMA2o series. Hvae fun! :-) Best regards, Geoff Bunza
@@DrGeoffB Thank you very much! I will put my hands and brain to work! All the best!
Can it be used to make and drive a locomotive?
I mean can the decoder be used to run the motor of the locomotive ?
This shall allow to make a dcc ++ locomotive entirely from scratch!?
Waiting for your reply..
Yes it can drive a motor (actually 2!). There are 3 different pre-built (of the 19 or so) configurations that you can find here: SMA20 Low Cost 17 Channel DCC Decoders Ver 6.01 with Sound,Triggered Sound,Stepper,Dual Motor,LED and Servo Control model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316
There are no special loco control features like momentum and speed tables, etc., just simple linear motor control. Enjoy --Geoff
Another great item. Thanks for sharing.
hi what do I need to get started for my layout
Hi Doug,
Look here: mrhpub.com/2017-03-mar/online/html5/ Page 204 (detailed article) or here: model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24316 (my blog) for complete construction details, parts list, parts sources, and operating instructions. Have fun! :-)
Best regards, Geoff
thats fucking great, the imagination runs wild with possibilities.
Good work! Thank you for sharing.
Is it dcc loco decoder
It can be set up as a mobile loco decoder or an accessory decoder
I could not read the text. It passed by too fast.
Hi Jeremy, Yes Agreed. This was one of my earlier attempts. I have tried to allow more time for reading with later tries. The pause button does help a bit.
Thanks for your effort to educate! Hope to see this re edit with text slower for us slow readers!
seems like a nice project but the texts are a real horror to read.
Without pausing they're tough, but the real meat in this is not the video but the write-up here: scalemodelanimation.com/Articles/DCC_Projects_Using_Arduino_Mar2017.pdf which will be much easier to read! :-) Best regards, Geoff
I do not like your display of the messages. An explanation as to what is going on would be welcome.
Hi Dok Bob,
Yes, those message come by pretty quickly.
The video is an accompaniment to a series of postings:
model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19070
model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19446
model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/19775
and model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/20739
That describe in detail how to build and use these.
The messages in the video show: running a DCC
controlled loco up to the decoder attached to the same
track, then turning on each of the 17 DCC Functions (attached
to LEDs) F0-F16.noting that you can manipulate the functions
with any DCC controller that you can control the loco with.
All connections were hand soldered to a small perf board.
Last, I showed that the little decoder board could be used as
a diagnostic tool by setting it to the same DCC address
as the loco, and when the loco functions were set, the
corresponding LED would light on the board to show what
functions were active-- so blowing the diesel horn would
light up the F3 corresponding LED. The power-up sequence
is also demonstrated, which lights each LED in Sequence
and then turns each off in sequence, so you know that
everything is working OK.
Final comments say you don't need to use all 17 functions,
and not all functions need to control LEDs-- servos, relays,
and even motors could be attached too.
"hope this is a bit clearer. Follow the links above for even more info.
Have Fun! :-)
Best Regards,
Geoff
Content could be displayed much more interesting: text loops are horror, sounds are distracting, your message does not come across.
dead right
It does a good job of stopping that Loco from going along the track.
Yes, perhaps, but it was meant to show it really was operating on DCC at a separate address. :-)
Gee whizz Geoff. All the effort you went to, thanks but annoying graphics. I had to go 1/2 speed and such a waste of time that I gave up. I appreciate anyone’s efforts to educate but please proof your product. This one is thumbs down. Please edit!
Hi Lee, This was an early effort. Thanks for your feedback. I will try to improve.
Best regards,
Geoff
Holy speed reader Batman, no useful information there, misleading title.....