ntpntpntp, NCE DCC using WiFi

[Deleted member 1986]

ntpntpntp
“I run an NCE 10 amp DCC system, with decoders of several different brands in the locos. The NCE is powerful yet easy to use, sadly their wireless system isn`t legal in the UK and that`s one thing in favour of other systems such as Massoth when it comes to an outdoor line.”




Also being a long time devotee to NCE, was not yet willing to cosign it to the dustbin of history in the pursuit of running “trains in the garden”, a chance remark by a member of this parish, Exeter Geek who also kindly donated the Belkin Router, ignited a spark, with  some further research and a fair bit of tinkering now have the following.


As they say a picture paints a thousand words.



The system is fairly straight forward in it`s implementation using readily available items and as in this case  a touch of “recycling”.

The NCE parts consist of the USB interface and an SB5, the SB5 was chosen as it`s upgrade path to enhancing any future power requirements, is a simple process to add an additional SB5 as a booster.

The netbook is an aging eMachines E250 that originally came with XP installed, the memory was upgraded from 1 megabyte to 3 megabyte , and it still ran like a donkey with three legs. With the demise of XP, and now that Windows 7 is to follow the same path, a conscientious decision  was made to change the  operating system over to Linux, breath of fresh air, runs as sweet as a well oiled piece of machinery. WiFi network services were configured to connect to the reconfigured router now acting as a stand alone WAP (Wireless Access Point)



The latest version of JRMI was installed, and the NCE system was configured to operate within the program. Web services and  WiFi Throttle were setup and to start automatically from within the program.




On the phone, tablet, a copy of Engine Driver was downloaded and installed, configured to connect to the stand alone WiFi access point, therefore enabling access to the  JRMI WiFi throttle installed on the netbook.



In practice, Linux is a slick operating system, and JMRI runs without a glitch, the WiFi connection is fast and reliable, and connecting via an Android device, to operate trains and points is as easy as a walk in the park. The range as a stand alone WAP between devices is well in excess of 300 ft, on test when originally part of the home WiFi system was way beyond 1000ft, as living in the sticks do not have access to fast broadband and very limited bandwidth, therefore prudent to run as standalone and not to rely on the home WiFi system which is creaking under the devices it already has to support.




Also have a similar setup running a Sprog 3, which is how this all came about in the first place!


Resources:


NCE, the company themselves.
http://www.ncedcc.com/

Mark Gurries, just about everything you would need to know about using NCE equipment.
https://sites.google.com/site/mgurriesncedcc/home

Greg Elmassian, what you could call a “power user “ of NCE equipment.
http://www.elmassian.com/dcc/my-implement

Steve Todd, Engine Driver for Android.
http://enginedriver.rrclubs.org/

JMRI, Java Model Railroad Interface.
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

The operating system, using Linux Mint 13 “Maya” Mate version, latest release is Linux Mint 17 “Qiana” Mate version.
http://www.linuxmint.com/index.php
Android-x86 Project - run Android on your PC, yes does work, and if you have “klunky” fingers like me, the use a real keyboard and a mouse to navigate around is a godsend.
http://www.android-x86.org/

The phone, Huawei Ascend Y330, purchased from Sainsbury`s was on offer for £39.00, now back to £49.00
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y330-6493.php

The tablet, Q8H from Banggood £33.25.
http://www.banggood.com/IPPO-Q8H-Allwinner-A23-Dual-Core-1_5GHz-7-Inch-Android-4_2-Tablet-p-914648.html

The article used to reconfigure a router as a DIY wireless Access Point, adapted to use as a  stand alone WAP.
http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/1575/using_an_old_router_as_a_diy_wireless_access_point/index.html

 

[ntpntpntp]

Yep, I`ve done that too with JMRI and a netbook.  Not actually used phones and WiThrottle, but I have run the layout wirelessly directly from the netbook via PanelPro layout diagram and throttles.  I bought a 2nd wifi router and a simple serial to Ethernet terminal server (both ebay purchases) to plug into the command station serial port.  Works fine, but tbh for just sitting in the garden and running trains I prefer my tethered throttle and little box with mimic diagram and stud/probe for point control (I use an NCE MiniPanel in the box). 

NCE command station, mimic panel and terminal server pictured (WifI router not shown, I`ve temporarily re-purposed it!).  The mimic panel box plugs into the NCE bus (see the exposed NCE bus sockets of the Minipanel module fitted inside the box).






Layout under control with the netbook in 2009



Since then I`ve also purchased one of those 12 channel r/c relay modules and button remote that are available on ebay, and can plug the relay outputs into the mimic panel to operate the points remotely if necessary. My plan is to rebuild the mimic panel using push buttons rather than stud/probe, with the r/c remote inside so that the box is wireless.

 

[Deleted member 1986]

Novel approach to operating outdoors, reassuring to note that my decision to keep the NCE equipment and use it for a basis for expansion in the wilderness was sound.

Though the use of the WiFi throttle does reduce the need for any extra add ons to operate the NCE Switch -Kat point decoders, as Engine Driver has the ability to operate single points or route setting, as set up in Turnouts or Panel within JRMI.

Anyways final testing has finished, hope to install and operate in the big wide world over the next week or so........................

 

[Tim Brien]

While I do have the ten amp NCE with wireless control (bandwidth is legal in Australia), its range is nothing to get excited over. In reality, a booster/ancilliary aerial is needed to avoid obstacles in its path. Ideally the booster aerial could be left permanently connected outdoors making connection of the NCE system a little motre user friendly. I do enjoy the system but the handpiece has the concealed aerial and this possibly reduces the range.

The extremities of my railway are beyond range, so to avoid loss of signal I find that I need to keep relatively close to the aerial (say within ten metres line of sight). Once the handpiece is 'out of sight' of the aerial then range reception becomes intermittent.