DccExController

A DccExController is a simple DIY, handheld controller that talks to a wThrottle Server (JMRI, DCC++EX and many others) using the Native DCC-EX protocol, exclusive to the EX-CommandStations, to control DC and DCC model trains.

Discussion on Discord.

3d Printed Case

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Prerequisites

1. Some basic soldering skills.

   The components will work if just plugged together using jumpers, but they take a lot of space that way, so soldering them together is advised to make it hand held.

2. Loading the code (sketch) requires downloading of one of the IDEs, this sketch, the libraries, etc. so some experience with Arduinos is helpful, but not critical.

3. An EX-CommandStation to connect to. DccExController will ONLY work with any EX-CommandStations!

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Building

Required Components

• WeMos Lite LOLIN32 (ESP32 Arduino with LiPo charger) (Example)
• 3x4 Keypad (Example)
• Polymer Lithium Ion Battery LiPo 400mAh 3.7V 502535 JST Connector (or larger capacity) (500mAh Example)
• KY-040 Rotary Encoder Module (Example)
• OLED Display 0.96" 128x64 Blue I2C IIC SSD1306 (Example)
• Case - my one was 3d printed (see below)
• Knob (Example)
• Wire - If you plan to solder the connections,which is the recommended approach, then stranded, coloured wire is advisable. (Example)

Optional Components

• Optional: Up to 7 additional push buttons can be added, each with their own independent commands. (Example)
• Optional: A 1.3" OLED Display 128x64 can be used instead of the 0.96" OLED Display 128x64 (Example) Note: You will need to make a small configuration change for this to work correctly.
• Optional: You can use a 4x4 keypad instead of the 3x4 keypad. Note: You will need to make a small configuration change in config_buttons.h for this to work correctly.

Pinouts

Standard Configuration Pinouts

Pinouts for Optional Additional Buttons Default Pins for the keypads

3x4 Keypad - Left to Right

• C1 PIN 0
• R0 PIN 19
• C0 PIN 4
• R3 PIN 16
• C2 PIN 2
• R2 PIN 17
• R1 PIN 18

4x4 keypad - Left to Right

• C0 PIN 4
• C1 PIN 0
• C2 PIN 2
• C3 PIN 33
• R0 PIN 19
• R1 PIN 18
• R2 PIN 17
• R3 PIN 16

Notes:

• Different keypads often arrange the pins on the base of the keypad differently. So it is important make sure the pins on the keypad are correctly identified and adjusted as needed.

Case

Notes:

• My case was 3D Printed for me by peteGSX (See the Thingiverse. )

• The 3x4 keypad petGSX designed the case for came from Jaycar and is slightly narrower than the one you see in the 'deconstructed' view in the video above.

• The case requires about a dozen M2x4mm screws

• For a different take on what is possible by extending the design, have a look at: https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/DCC/page-5-B.html Note, this uses the WiTcontroller code, but will work equally as well with the DccExController.

Loading the code

The instructions below are for using the Arduino IDE and GitHub Desktop. Visual Studio Code (VSC) can be used instead of the Arduino IDE but no instructions are included here.

1. Download the Arduino IDE.
   • Available from https://support.arduino.cc/hc/en-us/articles/360019833020-Download-and-install-Arduino-IDE
2. Download the esp32 boards in the Arduino IDE.
   • add the esp322 support with the following instructions: (See here for detailed instructions: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/installing-the-esp32-board-in-arduino-ide-windows-instructions/)
     • In the Arduino IDE, go to File > Preferences
     • Enter the following into the 'Additional Board Manager URLs' field: https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json
   • Then Use the Boards Manager in the Arduino IDE to install the esp32 board support
     • Tools > Board > Boards Manager
     • Search for "esp32" by Expressive Systems. Install version 2.0.11
3. Download or clone this repository. (Note: if you 'clone' initially, it is easier to receive updates to the code by doing a 'fetch' subsequently. See Notes below.)
   • Clone - First Time
     • Install GitHub Desktop from https://desktop.github.com/
     • Create a free account on GitHub and authorise the app to allow it to connect top GitHub
     • Select file -> Clone Repository - or 'Clone an repository from the internet' from the welcome page then select the 'URL' tab
     • Enter https://github.com/flash62au/WiTcontroller as the URL
     • Select a local folder to install it. The default folder for the Arduino usually looks like "...username\Documents\Arduino". (This is a good but not essential place to put it.)
     • Click Clone
     • Subsequently (Anytime after the first 'clone')
       • click Fetch Origin and any changes to the code will be bought down to you PC, but you config_buttons.h and config_network.h will not be touched.
   • Download
     • Open https://github.com/flash62au/WiTcontroller
     • Click the green "Code" button and select download zip
     • Extract the zip file to a local folder. The default folder for the Arduino usually looks like "...username\Documents\Arduino". This is a good but not essential place to put it.
4. Load the needed libraries to your PC. These can loaded from the Library Manager in the Arduino IDE.
   • U8g2lib.h - Search for "U8g2" Install version 2.34.22
   • AiEsp32RotaryEncoder.h - search for "Ai Esp32 Rotary Encoder" Install Version 1.6, or later
   • Keypad.h - Search for "Keypad" by Mark Stanley install version 3.1.1, or later
   • dccexProtocol.h - Search for "DCCEXProtocol" Install version 0.0.6, or later if available
5. These should have been automatically installed when you downloaded the esp32 boards. YOU SHOULD NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO GET THESE
   • WiFi.h - https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/tree/master/libraries/WiFi
   • ESPmDNS.h - https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/blob/master/libraries/ESPmDNS
6. Copy 'config_network_example.h' to a new file to 'config_network.h'.
   • Then edit it to include the network ssids you want to use. (Not essential, but entering passwords via the encoder is tedious.)
7. Copy 'config_buttons_example.h' to a new file 'config_buttons.h'.
   • Optionally, edit this to change the mapping of the keypad buttons to specific functions.
   • Optionally, edit this to configure the additional buttons (if you have included them) to specific functions.
   • Optionally, edit this to change if you want the function buttons to display when you press #, instead of the default of showing the Key Definitions
8. Upload the sketch.
   • Select the board type as "WEMOS LOLIN32 Lite" in the Arduino IDE.
   • Connect the board via USB and select the appropriate port in the Arduino IDE.
   • Click Upload

Notes:

• DccExController version 0.20 or later requires DCCEXProtocol version 0.0.16 or later.
• DccExController version 0.16 or later requires DCCEXProtocol version 0.0.12 or later.
• DccExController version 0.12 or later requires DCCEXProtocol version 0.0.10 or later.
• DccExController version 0.02 or later requires DCCEXProtocol version 0.0.6 or later.
• DccExController version 0.01 requires DCCEXProtocol version 0.0.3 or later.
• The WiFi.h and ESPmDNS.h libraries were automatically installed for me when I installed the esp32 boards, however you may need to install them manually.
• Later versions of the esp board support are available and do appear to work, but if you have difficulties version 1.0.6 appears to be stable.
• Later versions of the libraries generally should work, but if you have difficulties use the versions listed above.
• To get the DccExController sketch I recommend using either the git command line, or the far more friendly 'GitHub Desktop' app. See instructions above.
• If you receive and error related to Python, and you are on MacOs 12 and above please edit the platform file, change from python to python3 as follows; preferences->user/path/arduino/packages/hardware/esp32/version/platform.txt and edit the line that looks as follows:tools.gen_esp32part.cmd=python3 "{runtime.platform.path}/tools/gen_esp32part.py"

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Using WiTController

Currently functioning:

• Provides a list of discovered SSIDs with the ability to choose one. When you select one:
  • if it is one in your specified list (in the sketch), it will use that specified password
  • if it is a EX-CommandStation in access Point mode, it will guess the password
  • otherwise it will ask to enter the password (Use the rotary encoder to choose each character and the encoder button to select it. * = backspace. # = enter the password.)
• Optionally provides a list of SSIDs with the specified passwords (in the sketch) to choose from
• Auto-connects to the first found EX-CommandStation if only one found, otherwise
  • Asks which to connect to
  • If none found will ask to enter the IP Address and Port
  • Guesses the IP address and Port for EX-CommandStations using Access Point mode
  • optionally can add a #define (a preference) to disable this auto connect feature
• Rudimentary on-the-fly consists
• Assign commands directly to the 1-9 buttons (in the sketch) (see list below)
  • This is done in config_button.h
• Optional ability to assign commands directly to the 1-7 additional buttons (in the sketch) (see list below)
  • These are defined config_button.h
• Command menu (see below for full list) including:
  • Able to select and deselect locos
    • by their DCC address, via the keypad
      • On NCE systems, a leading zero (0) will force a long address
    • from the first 50 locos in the roster
  • Able to select multiple locos to create a consist
    • Able to change the facing of the additional locos in the consists (via the 'extra' menu after selection)
  • Able to activate any function (0-31)
    • Showing of the roster function labels (from the EX-CommandStation if provided)
    • Quick access to the functions by pressing #. Temporarily enabled via the Extras menu (or permanently enabled in config_button.h)
    • Limited ability to configure which functions are sent to the first or all locos in a consist (defined in config_button.h)
  • Able to throw/close turnouts/points
    • from the address
    • from the first 50 turnouts/points in the server list
  • Able to activate routes
    • from their address
    • from the first 50 routes in the server list
  • Set/unset a multiplier for the rotary encoder
  • Power Track On/Off
  • Disconnect / Reconnect
  • Put ESP32 in deep sleep and restart it
• Have up to 6 throttles, each with an unlimited number of locos in consist. Default is 2 throttles, which can be increased or decreased temporarily via the Extras menu (or permanently enabled in config_button.h)
• Limited dealing with unexpected disconnects. It will throw you back to the WiThrottle Server selection screen.
• Boundary between short and long DCC addresses can be configured in config_buttons.h
• The default speed step (per encoder click) can be configured in config_buttons.h
• The controller will automatically shut down if no SSID is selected or entered in 4 minutes (to conserve the battery)

ToDo:

• Speed button repeat (i.e. hold the button down)
• Deal with unexpected disconnects better
  • automatic attempt to reconnect
• Keep a list of ip addresses and ports if mDNS doesn't provide any
• Remember (for the current session only) recently selected locos
• functions
• Latching / non-latching for the functions to be provided by the roster entry of EEX-CommandStation

Command menu:

• 0-9 keys = pressing these directly will do whatever you has been preset in the sketch for them to do (see # below)
• * = Menu: The button press following the * is the actual command:
  • 1 = Add loco.
    • Followed by the loco number, followed by # to complete. e.g. to select loco 99 you would press '*199#'
    • or # alone to show the roster # again will show the next page
  • 2 = release loco:
    • Followed by the loco number, followed by # to release an individual loco. e.g. to deselect the loco 99 you would press '*299#'
    • Otherwise followed directly by # to release all e.g. '*2#'
  • 3 = Toggle direction.
  • 4 = Set / Unset a 2 times multiplier for the rotary encoder dial.
  • 5 = Throw turnout/point.
    • Followed by the turnout/point number, followed by the # to complete. e.g. Throw turnout XX12 '*512#' (where XX is a prefix defined in the sketch)
    • or # alone to show the list from the server # again will show the next page
  • 6 = Close turnout.
    • Followed by the turnout/point number, followed by # to complete. e.g. Close turnout XX12 '*612#' (where XX is a prefix defined in the sketch)
    • or # alone to show the list from the server
  • 7 = Set Route.
    • Followed by the Route number, followed by # to complete. e.g. to Set route XX:XX:0012 '*60012#' (where 'XX:XX:' is a prefix defined in the sketch)
    • or # alone to show the list from the server # again will show the next page
  • 0 = Function button. Followed by...
    • the function number, Followed by # to complete. e.g. to set function 17 you would press '*017#'
    • # alone, to show the list of functions.
  • 8 = Track Power On/Off.
  • 9 = Extras. Followed by...
    • 0 then # to toggle the action the the # key does as a direct action, either to show the direct action key definitions, or the Function labels.
    • 1 to change the facing of locos in a consist.
    • 3 to toggle the heartbeat check.
    • 4 to increase the number of available throttle (up to 6)
    • 5 to decrease the number of available throttle (down to 1)
    • 6 then # to Disconnect/Reconnect.
    • 7 (or 9) then # to put into deep sleep Pressing '*' again before the '#' will terminate the current command (but not start a new command)
• # = Pressing # alone will show the function the the numbered keys (0-9) perform, outside the menu. Optionally, you can configure it so that the the Function labels from the roster show

Pressing the Encoder button while the ESP32 is in Deep Sleep will revive it.

Default number key assignments (0-9) (outside the menu)

• 0 = FUNCTION_0 (DCC Lights)
• 1 = FUNCTION_1 (DCC Bell)
• 2 = FUNCTION_3 (DCC Horn/Whistle)
• 3 = FUNCTION_3
• 4 = FUNCTION_4
• 5 = NEXT_THROTLE
• 6 = SPEED_MULTIPLIER
• 7 = DIRECTION_REVERSE
• 8 = SPEED_STOP
• 9 = DIRECTION_FORWARD

Allowed assignments for the 0-9 keys:

Note: you need to edit config_buttons.h to alter these assignments (copy config_buttons_example.h)

• FUNCTION_NULL - don't do anything
• FUNCTION_0 - FUNCTION_31
• SPEED_STOP
• SPEED_UP
• SPEED_DOWN
• SPEED_UP_FAST
• SPEED_DOWN_FAST
• SPEED_MULTIPLIER
• E_STOP - E Stop all locos on all throttles
• E_STOP_CURRENT_LOCO - E Stop locos on current throttle only
• POWER_TOGGLE
• POWER_ON
• POWER_OFF
• DIRECTION_TOGGLE
• DIRECTION_FORWARD
• DIRECTION_REVERSE
• NEXT_THROTTLE
• SPEED_STOP_THEN_TOGGLE_DIRECTION - stops the loco if moving. Toggles the direction if stationary.
• MAX_THROTTLE_INCREASE - change the number of available throttles on-the-fly
• MAX_THROTTLE_DECREASE - change the number of available throttles on-the-fly

instructions for optional use of a potentiometer (pot) instead of the encoder for the throttle

config_buttons.h can include the following optional defines:

• #define USE_ROTARY_ENCODER_FOR_THROTTLE false
• #define THROTTLE_POT_PIN 39
• #define THROTTLE_POT_USE_NOTCHES true #define THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_VALUES {1,585,1170,1755,2340,2925,3510,4094}
• #define THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_SPEEDS {0,18,36,54,72,90,108,127}

If USE_ROTARY_ENCODER_FOR_THROTTLE is set to false the rotary encoder is ignored and a pot on the pin defined with THROTTLE_POT_PIN will be used instead.

You must specify the PIN to be used. Currently PINs 34, 35 and 39 are the only ones that cannot be used by the app for other purposes, so these are the safest to use. This should be connected to the centre pin of the pot. The 3v and GND should be connected to the outer pins of the pot.

The pot can be set to have 8 defined 'notches' (the default) or just a linear value.

If you want to have the 8 notches:

a) You must define the values the pot will send at each of 8 points - THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_VALUES. Note that you should avoid the value zero (0) for notch zero. Use at least 1 instead.

The example values above are useble for a 10k ohm pot but any value pot can be used. Just adjust the numbers.

b) You must define what speed should be sent for each notch - THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_SPEEDS

If you want a linear speed instead of notches:

a) You must define the values the pot will send at at zero throw and full throw in the first and last of the 8 values in THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_VALUES. The other values will be ignored but you still need to include 8 values. (They can be zero.) Note that you should avoid the value zero (0) for notch zero. Use at least 1 instead.

Sumner Patterson is developing an app to help find the appropriate pot values for the THROTTLE_POT_NOTCH_VALUES.

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Instructions for optional use of a voltage divider to show the battery charge level

TBA

Recommend adding a physical power switch as this will continually drain the battery, even when not being used.

Pinouts for Optional Battery Monitor

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Change Log

V0.22

• fix for E_STOP_CURRENT_LOCO

V0.21

• automated fix the latest versions of the ESP32 Board Library (3.0.0 and later) having renamed an atribute. The code now automatically adjusts for this.

V0.20

• support for 4x4 keypad
• support for custom commands
• workaround for the latest versions of the ESP32 Board Library (3.0.0 and later) have renamed an attribute.

V0.18 and V0.19

• minor format change

V0.18

• added auto deep sleep on low battery

V0.17

• support for optionally using a voltage divider to show the battery charge level
• remove some of the debug messages

V0.16

• Create fake heartbeat to help keep the connection alive

V0.15

• button and display PIN configurations moved to defines that can be overridden in personal config_buttons_etc.h files
• no functional changes

V0.14

• All menu text moved to defines that can be overridden in personal config_buttons_etc.h files
• no functional changes

V0.13

• minor bug fix

V0.12

• support for Broadcast Messages. - now requires DccExProtocol Library version 0.0.10 or later

V0.11

• bug fix
• additional logging

V0.10

• Additional logging
• addition of code and a #define SEARCH_ROSTER_ON_ENTRY_OF_DCC_ADDRESS (from FeliceV)

V0.09

• fix for the debounce of the rotary encoder button. Will now ignore rotations when the button is pressed for (default) 200ms. The #define for the debounce has been moved from config_keypad_etc.h to config_buttons as: #define ROTARY_ENCODER_DEBOUNCE_TIME 200

V0.08

• Will now use function latching from the roster, if the loco is selected from the roster
• F0 default to latching - can be overridden (see config_buttons_example.h)

V0.07

• F0 default to latching - can be overridden (see config_buttons_example.h)

V0.06

• temporary solution for latching buttons
• F1 and F2 default to momentary - can be overridden (see config_buttons_example.h)

V0.05

• option to specify/increase the buffer size

v0.04

• option to autoconnect to first defined ssid

v0.03

• support for 32 functions

v0.02

• Fix loading of the function labels

v0.01

• initial release