westaust55
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For those Model Railway operators using the NCE DCC control systems, this project using a PICAXE 20X2 as the basis for a DCC Accessory Controller connected via the NCE Cab-Bus may be of interest.
Due to the size limitations for pdf file attachments, this post has two separate files attached.
The next post includes the PICAXE BASIC program as a .bas file for download.
The features of this DCC Accessory Controller for NCE based DCC control systems as presented herein include:
Due to the size limitations for pdf file attachments, this post has two separate files attached.
- The background, design, construction and basics of the programming requirements
- The User Manual for operating the DCC Accessory Controller
The next post includes the PICAXE BASIC program as a .bas file for download.
The features of this DCC Accessory Controller for NCE based DCC control systems as presented herein include:
- Separate control of all Accessories ( addresses 1 to 2043 devices – address 2044 is a broadcast address and thus excluded here)
- PICAXE 20X2 microcontroller based.
- Programmed in PICAXE BASIC – making end-user changes relatively easy to suit the layout.
- Controls via and powered from the NCE Cab-Bus (approx. 25 mA draw with backlight on).
- LCD display:
- Entirely driven by the PICAXE microcontroller to reduce data on the NCE Cab-Bus.
- Provides clearer text based options for the control of devices (e.g. for Signals displays as “1=Danger or 2=Clear” ) instead of NCE’s “1=N 2=R” for all devices types.
- 4x4 keypad – allows :
- direct entry of each accessory address number (1 to 2043).
- ‘Escape’ to cancel the current entry at any point prior to last key-press.
- ‘Delete’/Backspace to back up on an Accessory address.
- Selection of Device types (i.e. signals, points, routes, uncouplers, lights, etc) which allows clearer LCD display of the available actions.
- User selectable CAB address (2 to 63) through the software – by holding down the ‘Delete’ key at power-up.
- Last Accessory device address (since last power-up of the CAB) is displayed again for quick acceptance if the next action is for the same accessory device. (e.g. ‘Uncoupler Up’, then same ‘Uncoupler Down’).
- Ability to undertake most of the key-presses to set up a route/point/signal while still controlling locomotives from the normal NCE Cab/Throttle. Allows a quick route change with 1 key-press for say a passing loop as trains pass.
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