EX-CommandStation

EX-CSB1 as a DCC Booster (Booster Mode)

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The EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express can be configured as a DCC Booster. As a booster it can take input from any DCC Command Station, not just an EX‑CommandStation, to provide additional two power districts to your layout. With the addition of a EX‑MotorShield8874, it can provide up to 4 power districts.

To configure the EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express as a DCC Booster, you will need to install the EX‑CommandStation software on it with the addition of the following commands to the myAutomation.h file:

AUTOSTART
PRINT("Auto Booster Mode")
SET_TRACK(A, MAIN)
SET_TRACK(B, MAIN)
SET_POWER(A, OFF)
SET_POWER(B, OFF)
LCD(4, "BOOSTER OFF")
PRINT("Waiting for RAILSYNC")
DONE

//   BOOSTER_INPUT pin requires define in config.h
ONRAILSYNCON
RESERVE(111)
SET_TRACK(A, BOOST)
SET_POWER(A, ON)
PRINT("RAILSYNC ON TRACK A BOOST")
SET_TRACK(B, BOOST)
SET_POWER(B, ON)
FREE(111)
PRINT("RAILSYNC ON TRACK B BOOST")
LCD(4, "BOOSTER A B ON")
DONE

ONRAILSYNCOFF
RESERVE(111)
SET_TRACK(A, MAIN)
SET_TRACK(B, MAIN)
SET_POWER(A, OFF)
SET_POWER(B, OFF)
FREE(111)
LCD(4, "BOOSTER OFF")
PRINT("RAILSYNC OFF")
DONE

Note

If you are using an EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express with a EX‑MotorShield8874 as your booster add the commands for tracks C and D to the myAutomation.h file.

You also need to add these two lines to the config.h file:

#define WIFI_LED 33
#define BOOSTER_INPUT 32

You will then need to connect a MAIN output from your command station to Railsync connector on the EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express Booster. The EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express Booster will then provide power to the rails on the A and B outputs. If you are using a EX‑MotorShield8874, it will provide power to the rails on the C and D outputs.

If you are using an EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express as your Command Station, it is recommended that you use one of the outputs as the dedicated output to the EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express Booster. If you use the output to the booster, as well as to a block of track, a short or overload on that block will cause the EX‑CommandStation / Booster One Express Booster to also kill power to all of its outputs.

Note

The outputs can be configured as:

  • BOOST - Booster mode

  • BOOST_INV - Booster mode inverted

  • BOOST_AUTO - Booster mode + Auto-reverser mode