DCC DIY Decoders

Accessory Decoder.

The only difference between a function decoder and a steady state accessory decoder is that it requires different firmware because it responds to different packets.

Many people are already using DIY function decoders on spare loco addresses to operate accessories around the layout and in many situations this is the best way to do it but there are some situations where an accessory decoder needs to respond to proper accessory packets so I have developed some replacement firmware that can be dropped into a DIY function decoder to turn it into a steady state accessory decoder.

Electrically the steady state accessory decoder is pretty much the same as the function decoder but in order to allow for a cknowledgement pulses when programming with no load there has been a pin reassignment amongst the outputs with output D being moved to pin 6 of 14-pin chips and no longer available on 8-pin chips. Accessory decoders tend to have their outputs in pairs so there are two versions, a 2-output that has one pair of outputs, and an 8-output that has four pairs of outputs. The NMRA Output Addressing Mode is supported so that 2-output accessory decoders can be put on consecutive addresses without leaving any gaps.

The current version of the firmware (V0.05) supports three operating modes.

* Toggling (CV3-6 = 0) - where a pair of outputs will toggle when one or the other is operated.

* momentary (CV33 = 64) - where each output is active only momentarily while the function is activated.

* NMRA Pulse (CV2-6 between 1 and 144) - where a pulse is generated each time the function is activated. CV33 = 15 will prevent reactivation of the same output.

Not all command stations support the momentary option so unless you have a Roco or similar command station which sends deactivate commands you will not be able to use momentary mode and will have to stick to steady state toggling or pulse which will be suitable for most things.

Hopefully there will be a new, release version of the firmware soon that will support being able to control the eight outputs separately on eight addresses which will be ideal for those of you wanting to control relays, lighting or similar and don't require the toggle function.

The very high power accessory decoder hardware (kits are available if required) will drive up to 8A and is opto-isolated to prevent high power spikes getting on to the DCC bus. It can be powered from and DC supply up to 50V and a suitable CDU is available (see CDU page) for powering solenoids from the track supply to keep the wiring simple.

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Accessory Firmware Supported CVs.

CV	Alt. CV	Default value	Range	Description	Notes
1	513	1	0-255	Lower address bits	0-63 only for decoder address mode
3	515	0	0-144	Output on time in 10mS increments	0=constant, 1=10mS, 100=1S, 144=1.44S
4	516	0	0-144	Output on time in 10mS increments	0=constant, 1=10mS, 100=1S, 144=1.44S
5	517	0	0-144	Output on time in 10mS increments	0=constant, 1=10mS, 100=1S, 144=1.44S
6	518	0	0-144	Output on time in 10mS increments	0=constant, 1=10mS, 100=1S, 144=1.44S
7 (read)	519	-	-	Software release number
7 (write)	519	0	0,1,2,10,11,12	LokMaus2	Used for LokMaus2 programming mode
8 (read)	520	-	-	Manufacturer ID	Not yet set (still development)
8 (write)	520	-	8	Factory Reset	8= Reset to defaults
9	521	0	0-7	Upper address bits
29	541	128	128,192	Configuration bits	192=output address mode, 128=decoder address mode
33	545	0	0-127	Mode	Bits 0-3 as MERG toggle mode, bit 6 Roco momentary mode
34	546	0	0,8	ACK pin	0=pin 6, 8=pin 5 (8-pin) or 11 (14-pin)
35	547	0	0-255	invert	Each bit inverts an output pin when set to 1
36	548	255	0-255	Flicker on 14-pin chips	Each bit sets an output pin to flicker when set to 0 (only pins 5-10)
37	549	0	0-255	Default output state	Each bit will set an output to be active at reset
					Colour key
		Supported CV Table for V0.05 DIY Acc firmware			Not yet implemented
					Not as per NMRA recommendation
					Not NMRA recommended default

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