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EX-CSB1 in DCC Booster Mode

The EX-CSB1 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 an EX-MotorShield8874, it can provide up to 4 power districts.

To configure the EX-CSB1 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

ONRAILSYNCON
  SET_TRACK(A, BOOST)
  SET_POWER(A, ON)
  PRINT("RAILSYNC ON TRACK A BOOST")
  SET_TRACK(B, BOOST)
  SET_POWER(B, ON)
  PRINT("RAILSYNC ON TRACK B BOOST")
  LCD(4, "BOOSTER A B ON")
  DONE

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

    // If you are using an EX-CSB1 with an 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 the Railsync connector on the EX-CSB1 Booster. The EX-CSB1 Booster will then provide power to the rails on the A and B outputs. If you are using an EX-MotorShield8874, it will also provide power to the rails on the C and D outputs.

If you are using an EX-CSB1 as your Command Station, it is recommended that you use one of the outputs as the dedicated output to the EX-CSB1 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-CSB1 Booster to also kill power to all of its outputs.

Output configuration options

The outputs can be configured as:

  • BOOST - Booster mode
  • BOOST_INV - Booster mode inverted
  • BOOST_AUTO - Booster mode + Auto-reverser mode