Install the Software

This page is specifically intended for a Conductor who has purchased or assembled just the recommended hardware (including WiFi). If you are a Tinkerer or Engineer or have installed some of the additional, or different, hardware from that recommended for a Conductor then we suggest that you look at the EX-Installer page for the full instructions.

If you have purchased a EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express it will have come with the EX‑CommandStation software already installed. You only need to look at this page if you want to change the default configuration.

Note

A word of caution on the alternate approach of using the Arduino IDE to install the software:

While it is possible install the software using the Arduino IDE, we seriously DO NOT RECOMMEND IT for a Conductor or Tinkerer. It is an order of magnitude more complex, much slower, and with a very high probability of getting something wrong unless you really know what you are doing.

The EX‑Installer described below will meet 100% of the needs of a Conductor or Tinkerer with considerably less effort.

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Once you have assembled your EX‑CommandStation hardware you need to load our software onto it to make it usable.
To make it as simple as possible we have created the EX‑Installer app.

Requirements (for installing)

USB Cable

Make sure your USB Cable is connected from your computer to the EX‑CommandStation. Make sure no other programs (like the Arduino IDE) are using the same USB port.

• A Windows, Linux or MacOS X Computer

• An EX‑CommandStation (EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express or Arduino Mega/Uno + Motor shield+ optional WiFi shield)

• A USB cable to connect your computer to the Microcontroller

1. Getting Ready

Instruction for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux (including the Raspberry Pi)

Connect your EX‑CommandStation hardware to your computer via USB.
Make sure your USB Cable is connected from your computer to the EX-CommandStation. Make sure no other programs (like the Arduino IDE) are using the same USB port.

2. Download and Run EX-Installer

Warning

Antivirus Software
You may need to turn off your antivirus software before you try to install.
Sometimes our software gets blocked by antivirus apps. If you see any errors on the install screen, this is usually the issue.

• Download the EX-Installer app.
  
  

• For Microsoft Windows:

  • Open the Windows File Manager

  • Find the folder in which the EX-Installer-Win64.exe or EX-Installer-Win32.exe was saved.
    Generally this will default to downloading to the downloads folder but your browser may be configured differently.

  • Run EX-Installer-Win64.exe or EX-Installer-Win32.exe or EX-Installer-Win32.exe
    
    Note: depending on the configuration of your computer the ‘.exe’ may or may not appear. This is not of concern.
    
    

• For Apple macOS:

  • Open a terminal window and navigate to the that folder that you downloaded the file to. e.g.:
    cd Downloads

  • Enter the following command to tell the OS that it is an executable:
    chmod +x EX-Installer-macOS

  • Run the installer with the following command:
    ./EX-Installer-macOS
    
    

• For Linux:

  • Right-click on the file, go to Properties, then the Permissions tab, and check “Allow executing file as program”

  • Open a terminal window and navigate to that folder

  • Run the installer with the following command: ./EX-Installer-Linux64
    
    

You will be presented with the following screen…

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3. Installer Screens

The ‘EX-Installer Welcome’ screen

This screen provides some basic information about the process of loading the Software.

If you are using the recommended Mega hardware, you should not need to adjust the other settings on this page.

To proceed, click the Manage Arduino CLI button.

‘Manage Arduino CLI’ screen

Figure 32 EX-Installer - Welcome screen

This screen allows you to install or update the Arduino Command Line Interface (CLI).

We use the Arduino Command Line Interface (CLI) to upload the DCC-EX products to your Arduino.

If you have not installed the CLI previously you must have Arduino CLI installed to proceed, simply click the Install Arduino CLI button if it is showing.

If you already have the Arduino CLI installed, it is recommended that you refresh it periodically (e.g. weekly) to ensure support for the various device details are kept up to date. To refresh the CLI, simply click the Refresh Arduino CLI button.

If you are using the recommended Mega hardware, you should not need to adjust the other settings on this page.

Once the CLI is installed, To proceed, click the Select your device button.

‘Select Your Device’ screen

Figure 33 EX-Installer - Device screen

On this screen you will need to
a) select the type of device you wish to load the EX‑CommandStation software onto, and
b) the USB port you have connected the device to on your computer.

EX‑Installer will attempt to work out both of these for you, but it may need assistance.

Click on the Scan for Devices button.

No Devices Found

After you have clicked on the Scan for Devices button, if you see No devices found to means that you either a) have not connected the device to the computer, or b) the device was not recognised by the computer.

If you have not connected the device, connect it now then click the Scan for Devices button again.

If the device is connected but not found refer to the Diagnosing Basic Problems page for assistance.

Multiple Devices Found

Figure 34 EX-Installer - Device - Multiple Devices

If more than one device is found (on different USB ports), you will need to select which one you wish to load the software on to.

Figure 35 EX-Installer - Device - Selection

EX‑Installer will attempt to work out what type of Arduino you have connected, but some cases it will not be able to do so. (This is especially common with cheap clone devices.)

Check and select the appropriate board from the drop down list.

Once you have a port and device type selected, to proceed, click the Select product to install button.

‘Select the Product to Install’ screen

Figure 36 EX-Installer - Product Screen

Currently only the EX‑CommandStation product can be installed by the EX‑Installer.

Click on the EX‑CommandStation logo to proceed.

‘Select EX-CommandStation Version’ screen

Figure 37 EX-Installer - Select EX-CommandStation version screen

On this screen you need to select:

• Which version of the EX-CommandStation software you wish to load

• How you wish to configure the software

Which version

Select which version of the EX‑CommandStation software to load onto your hardware. If you are unsure, or unless you have been otherwise directed by the support team, we recommend you select Latest Production.

How to configure

Select how you wish to configure your EX‑CommandStation. Unless you are updating a previous version that you manually configured, or want to manually make advanced configuration changes, select Configure options on the next screen

If you do want to manually make advanced configuration changes, see the Using the Installer page for instructions on how to enable them.

If you have selected Configure options on the next screen, to proceed, click the Configure EX-CommandStation button.

‘Install EX-CommandStation’ - Configuration screen

Figure 38 EX-Installer - EX-CommandStation Configuration screen

On this screen you can select some of the flexible and optional features of the EX‑CommandStation:abbr:

• Motor Driver type

• LCD or oLED display

• WiFi

• Ethernet

• Set track modes

• Advanced Config

Only the Motor Driver and WiFi will be covered on this page. If you have installed different hardware to that recommended, see the Using the Installer page for instructions on all the available configuration options.

Motor Driver

Figure 39 EX-Installer - Configure Motor Driver

You must select the motor driver type that you have installed. The installer can’t detect this, so you must select the correct board or the EX‑CommandStation may not work. If you have installed the recommended Motor Driver, select STANDARD_MOTOR_SHIELD if you purchased the Arduino Motor Shield Rev3, or EX8874_SHIELD if you purchased our EX-MotorShield8874.

Station Mode VS Access Point Mode

There is no right or wrong selection here. Both options here may be valid for you to use, depending on how you wish to use your EX‑CommandStation.

If a) your layout is close to your home WiFi network, b) you don’t transport the layout around, c) you need to use more than four WiFi controllers at a time, and/or d) you are not likely to, or have no concerns about letting visitors access your home WiFi (for them to use their own devices on your layout), then Station Mode is probably a better option.

If the above is not generally true, then Access Point Mode may be a better choice.

You must choose one of these options now, but you can always come back later and re-load the software with a different option.

WiFi

If you have installed and optional WiFi board, or are using a microcontroller board with integrated WiFi, enable the I have WiFi option, which will present you with additional options.

You can configure the WiFi for EX-CommandStation two ways:

• Access Point mode
  You can configure for EX-CommandStation to have its own, completely isolated, WiFi Network. This is referred to as Access Point Mode. (Most useful if your layout is away from the house, or you transport your layout frequently.)
  To enable, select Use my EX-CommandStation as an Access Point

• Station mode
  The EX-CommandStation can be setup so that it connects to your existing home WiFi Network. This is referred to as Station Mode.
  To enable, select Connect my EX-CommandStation to my existing wireless network

Use my EX-CommandStation as an Access Point

Figure 40 EX-Installer - Configure WiFi - Access Point

Note

If possible, choose a channel that is unused (or least used) by other WiFi networks around your location.
There are numerous phone apps that can help you determine which channels are being used by other networks. For Android, ‘Wifi Analyzer’ is one that works. For iOS ‘Netspot’ is suitable (you don’t need to purchase WiPry device they mention).

If Use my EX-CommandStation as an Access Point is selected, two additional options are presented:

• WiFi Password

• WiFi Channel

WiFi Password is optional.
We recommend you leave this field blank.
If this field is left blank the password will default to “PASS_xxxxx” where ‘xxxxx’ will be the same as the SSID name that will be automatically configured.

WiFi Channel can be any value from 1-11.

Connect my EX-CommandStation to my existing wireless network

Figure 41 EX-Installer - Configure Wifi - Station Mode

If Connect my EX-CommandStation to my existing wireless network is selected, two additional options are presented:

• Wifi SSID

• WiFi Password

Both are required, Though it is possible, but unlikely, that the WiFi Password for your network is blank. If so, leave the field blank.

WiFi SSID is the name of your home network.

WiFi Password is the password for your home network.

To proceed, click the Compile and Load button.

Note

See the WiFi Configuration page if you wish to find more detailed information on the the WiFi options.

‘Compile and Load’ screen

Figure 42 EX-Installer - Compile and Load Screen

To proceed, click the Load button.

Results are shown in the lower half of the screen.

If there are no errors, you can proceed to testing your setup.

If there are errors or you are having difficulties check the Troubleshooting page for assistance.

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Next Steps - Selecting a Throttle (Controller)

Note

The programming track is for programming only. Make sure you are on the main track if you expect your loco to move or respond to light or sound commands.

See the Choosing a Throttle (Controller) page or click the ‘Next’ button to learn how to select a throttle (controller) suitable to test and use your EX‑CommandStation.