Weve got lights on the stack

Weve got light s on the DCC-EX Command Station, USPS didnt steal my laptop power supply that I purchased on eBay. I was able to power up and run trains with JMRI and DCC-EX, It took a bit of tinkering but I got it running. I need to figure out how to export my roster to my laptop so I dont need to recreate my roster on the laptop.

Lights!!!!!!!

No lights

WiFi Shield Shows Up Today x2

Today after a mis-delivery I got my MakerFabs WiFi Shield which I added to my stack pics below.

USPS is stealing my packages

Today makes the second package stolen from out of my mailbox. I had a package that was delivered to the locker in my building today. I go to open my mailbox and there in a key to open the locker but there is already a key in the locker what the actual fuck. Two weeks ago a package was supposed to been delivered to my mailbox and there was no package in the mailbox . The postmaster is clueless, the temp letter carrier is a thief plain and simple. Today I got home theres a new key in my mailbox for a different locker and my package from yesterday was in it guess they're working those USPS workers too hard. 

 

Installed EM13 decoder in IR ISHIKWA 521 Series Kato 10-1507

 I finally got my order from Plaza Japan that included several decoders some vehicles and other goodies. First thing that I wanted to do was put a decoder in my IR Railways Series 521. As usual I couldn't find a tutorial for the instructions for installing a decoder in 5his car. Thank goodness that the installation is pretty standard and easy. 

• Remove the grey plastic box on the bottom of the train.
• Then remove the truck don't lose that drive rod. 
• Take the decoder a flip it so the black chip is facing up then slide it in underneath the copper strip.
• Reinstall the truck making sure you get the rod into the flywheel properly.
• Put the grey box back on the EMU
• You're done.

Cover on EMU

Cover off EMU

Truck removed EMU

No truck or cover

Decoder installed

Decoder installed and truck installed

Talk about foreshadowing lol

 I was looking around and I found some BLMA concrete car stops and I was on eBay the other day wondering if I should buy some or not Im glad I didnt lol. This is exactly what I need for the parking lot that Im working on. 

Working on the Koban and parking lot

Well dont I have enough projects going lol. I wanted to add a parking lot to the Koban I just built and here are some mockups of the lot and the building. 

I think I'm liking the first 3 mockups out of all the ones that I've tried. 

A litle progress on the DCC-EX Command station

Today I got some new items in like the Barrel Connector and some Dupont Connectors (not pictured) 

I wired up the barrel connector and installed some wire for the programming track and the main track.

Documentation on how to wire up the command station werent that clear so I went looking for some reference pictures. 

Below is the result of my wiring. 

Cheap WiFi Throttles?

While on sScale,net I posted in the DCC section someone their homemade DCC WiFi throttle. TCS makes a WiFi throttle that costs $200 the homebrew WiFi throttle supposedly cost under $50 USD to make and it dont look too shabby either. Heres the link to his wsebsite and pictures of the throttle which I think looks cool. 

Two out of three isnt too bad DCC-EX

So far I have two out of three parts that I need for my DCC++EX DCC-EX Command Station. Im missing a bunch of other stuff I need like Dupont connecters, Power supplies, Wi-Fi shield. The pic below below is what I have so far. 

DCC++EX is old DCC-EX is the new kid on the block lol. sorry for the confusion.

My Makerfabs ESP8266 WiFi Shield shipped today woo hoo!!!1

 

Placed another order with Plaza Japan

 And finally got some decoders for a few Kato trains and some other stuff. 

DCC-EX

Ive decided to ditch temporally my NCE DCC system for DCC++EX  DCC-EX is an open source DCC system that runs on Arduino and consists Arduino, Motor Shield and a Wi-Fi Shield. With these 3 piece's you can have a low cost DCC system with Wi-Fi and al you need is a old beat up cellphone for a throttle or you can use a web browser and JMRI, Below are the main parts of the DCC-EX system. 

ESP8266 WiFi Shield

Arduino Motor Shield Rev3

Elegoo Mega R3 Board ATMega 2560

A couple of new buildings just completed

The smaller building is from Miniatuart which is a paper laser cut kit. That could be a clinic or shop but Im making it a Koban which is a Japanese Police station. The Larger building is from Outland Models and this will be a city police station. They both came out better than I expected especially the smaller building. All thats needed for both are police men, motor cycles, and signage Ive started to work on that 

My 1st large purchase from Hobby Search

 Today I completed a nice purchase from Hobby Search that should tide me over for a little while. I got some parts a railbus and an excursion 3 car set what I forgot were some decoders but I think HS was out of them. The most anticipated item is a Japanese Koban that is laser cut cardboard kit. I've had a fascination with Kobans lately and will post some of the pics that I found on the internet of them. 

Documenting the DZ123 install in a TOMIX Hello Kitty motor car

Im going to preface this post by say that this post is in no way inclusive of want needs to happen in your decoder installation like the one I performed. You could blow up your decoder and need to get a new one however that didnt happen to me. This post will have pics and light on words except where needed. 

Disassembled Hello Kitty Motor Car

DZ126T soldered to copper contact strips

 

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