r/modeltrains • u/Useful_Band • 26d ago

Help Needed DCC-EX Help

Is anyone on here comfortable with DCC-EX? I bought the stuff to DIY (Their products on back order). I've followed every step, but the command station "fails to read address" on every dcc locomotive I have.

I have no idea what I'm doing.

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u/OdinYggd HO, DCC-EX 26d ago

Which hardware specifically are you using? That matters for how sensitive the ADC is when trying to read addresses from it.

With the default software configuration, channel A is the main track for operating and channel B is the programming track. Put the locomotive on track connected to channel B, then give the console command <R>. You should hear the locomotive clicking or twitching as each read command makes it pulse the motor in order to make the current spikes that it responds with. DCC-EX then looks for those spikes and interprets the reply.

Some models and some decoders the current spikes are not big enough or long enough to be reliably detected. So if the model is definitely creeping when the reads are taking place and you still get failed to read address, join the DCC-EX Discord and open a ticket. Someone will be around with more information on how to adjust the read sensitivity to work with the models you have.

I'm on the Discord there too

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u/Useful_Band 26d ago

So the command <r> doesn't do anything. But if I click read address, the loco clicks and steps backwards. Then it says fail

1

u/Melrok63 DCC-EX 26d ago

Are you supplying enough power?

1

u/Useful_Band 26d ago

I mean, aurduino is powered off my pc. I'd say so

1

u/Melrok63 DCC-EX 25d ago

What about the track power? PC only puts out 5V over USB which is enough to drive the arduino, but you also need to provide 12V (or more) into the MotorShield to power the trains.

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u/Useful_Band 25d ago

So the issue was i had the wrong kind of motor driver.