miniThrottle: A model railroad WiFi throttle.
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It is a pre-configured and pre-compiled version of miniThrottle. Calling it prebuilt is a bit of a misnomer as it is not a ready-to-run option. It is a pre compiled image. You still need to source your own hardware and assemble it yourself. But the firmware is ready to install, and assembly follows a recipe. As such it can be installed on a specific hardware configuation, which then allows:
Note: The pre-compiled version is not suitable for a stand-alone / hand-held WiFi throttle.
While it is possible to connect the module directly to DCC-Ex, this is not recommended. Mounting the module on an Arduino prototyping board, requires slightly more effort and allows the module to be stacked on DCC-Ex.
As a precompiled version, no compiler / Arduino-IDE is required. Some downloads are required as indicated below. And the Esp32 module is connected via a USB cable in order to flash the precompiled image to it.
By downloading from this site you accept the conditions of use.
File Name | Save At | Function |
---|---|---|
miniThrottle_bin/0x1000_bootloader.bin | 0x1000 | Boot loader |
miniThrottle_bin/0x8000_partitions.bin | 0x8000 | Partition table |
miniThrottle_bin/0xe000_ota_data.bin | 0xe000 | Over The Air (OTA) update data |
miniThrottle_bin/0x10000_miniThrottle.bin | 0x10000 | Program code |
The module used can found by searching Google (or other search engines) using the term "esp32 oled", and purchased from AliExpress, Ebay, Amazon etc.
Left Hand Side | |
---|---|
Pin(s) | Usage |
36 / SVP | 10k - 20k potentiometer centre / slider, pot pin 2 (any linear potentioneter in this range should be OK.) |
25, 26 | 4 x 4 keypad, membrane type recommended, same keypad as pins 0, 2, 14, 12, 13 and 15. |
S1, CM, SO, CL | no connection - used to access internal memory |
3V | potentiometer high / fast side / pot pin 3 |
GND | potentiometer low / slow side / pot pin 1 |
Right Hand Side | |
Pin(s) | Usage |
SVN, 39 | RX connect to DCC-Ex TX pin (via 5K resistor to DCC-Ex and 10K resistor to GND) |
16 | TX connect to DCC-Ex RX pin |
5, 4 | no connection - used by I2C connection of display |
0, 2, 14, 12, 13, 15 | 4 x 4 keypad, membrane type recommended, same keypad as pins 25 and 26. |
RX, TX | no connection - same console connection as USB serial |
GND | Connect DCC-Ex GND, common ground |
5V | 5v supply from DCC-Ex |
Note: If using this as WiFi relay only (ie no local controls) then the potentiometer and keypad connections are left disconnected. In this case you don't need a module with a display, as long as pins SVN (39) and 16 are available to connect to the DCC-Ex module.
Time to customise the unit!
You can configure the unit either via web page or connecting to the serial port. The serial port parameters are 115200 (speed), 8bits, no parity, 1 stop bit and no flow control. On a PC you need a terminal emulation such as Putty or TeraTerm-Pro and a USB cable attached to the miniThrottle device. It is assumed that for most users the web page will be the best option. However, the serial port option can still be useful if you have forgotten the admin password.
On the first start the unit should run an unsecured access point called "dccStation". No password is required. Connect to this access point and use your web browser to go to http://192.168.4.1. To access anything other than the status page you will need an admin password. This is initally a user of "admin" and a password of "mysecret", neither of which contain either quotes or capital letters. Now work through the various options to customise your miniThrottle device. See the web interface configuration page to review details, but here are some general comments.
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