EX-CSB1 FAQ¶
CH340 USB Drivers¶
Windows USB driver is required.
CH340 driver info https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ch340-drivers
Note that only one program can use the USB connection simultaneously. Close the device monitor or other programs when uploading.
Track voltage¶
Unlike AC, DCC is a square wave signal. The voltage of the track power supply will be present on each rail 50% of the time and off for the other 50%.
Most multimeters cannot read the DCC voltage correctly on the 'AC' setting.
Use the 'DC' setting on the multimeter and connect one probe to one rail (or output of the motor shield) and the other to a ground GPIO on the motor shield or microcontroller board. Double whatever result you see to get the actual voltage.
OLED¶
Suppliers of the EX-CSB1 may ship it with one of a number of different types of oLED screen.
You may not be able to tell which type it is by looking at it. So, if you are uncertain which it is, when installing the EX-CommandStation software, select one of the options (commmonly either the 128x64 or 132x64).
If one results in blank screen or image is shifted, try the other.
Some EX-CSB1s may have had the screen display customized to display track status.
myTrackStatus.example.h
OLED Power Status¶
By default, the oLED will display the state of the power to the track/outputs.
Older versions of the EX-CommandStation software will display Power On, Power Off, Power SC
SC refers to to 'Status Conflict' and simply means that one track/output is on and the other is off. This completely normal and is not an error or fault.
Later versions of the EX-CommandStation software will display Power On, Power Off, Power Ab or Power bA. Where the uppercase 'A' or 'B' means the power is on for that track. And the lowercase 'a' or 'b' means that the power is off for that track.
i.e. Power SC means the same as either Power Ab or Power bA.
Power supply¶
If your power supply is less than 5A, add a line in config.h to set overcurrent reporting lower - 90% of track power supply.
motor-shield-max-current
EX8874 on CSB1¶
EX8874 on CSB1 requires no modifications to the EX8874 solder pads.
A second identical power supply or Y-cable will be needed for the EX88874 track power.
Startup - Tracks / Power¶
Add lines to myAutomation.h to define track modes and power state at startup.
Note that the power command is placed after the change in track mode.
See Startup - Define Tracks for more information.
Fault reporting¶
Continuous faults will be reported with power on, if track power supply is not connected.
An initial fault report at power-on is not an issue.
Overcurrent reporting¶
Some - 600mA or less - overcurrent reporting on the programming track is not unusual. This is due to lack of precision of the ESP32-WROOM ADC, and the 250mA trip current for the programming track when not reading/writing CVs.
There is a command <C PROGBOOST> to override the 250mA limit. Do not use it unless you are comfortable that your loco/decoder does not have issues (which 250mA is designed to protect).
Note that <C PROGBOOST> remains in effect until the EX-CommandStation is restarted.
WiFi¶
Prior to Version 5.7.0¶
config.h is used for WiFi configuration in earlier versions of the EX-CommandStation software. This can be done as part of the configuration in EX-Installer.
See WiFi Configuration for more information.
Version 5.7.0 and Later¶
WiFi configuration is different starting with version 5.7.0 and is done after the EX-CommandStation software is loaded (via EX-Installer).
See 5.7.0 WiFi Configuration for more information.
Note that if the new WiFi configuration commands are sent via a WiFi connection, your existing connection will drop. Current connection info should be reported on the OLED.
More¶
Discord¶
Join the discussion on the discord server.
https://dcc-ex.com/mkdocs-test/support/discord/