FireBox: A Tiny DCC Train Controller

[trainpixsnet]

Add me to the list.
I am curious how it will compare with the Sprog/RaspberryPi. Nevertheless, I am excited that I will have a control system to use for a small layout while I save up money for materials for the main layout.

[dcutting]

I am curious how it will compare with the Sprog/RaspberryPi.

FireBox has higher current limits, integrates a programming track, and has RailCom. I'm going to start experimenting with autoreversing in the next few weeks, hopefully we can pull that off. Then with an expansion board you should be able to create an auto-reversing booster.

[dnhouston]

I'm in

[Ngineer]

Just ordered one. Thanks for bringing this topic up.

   Javier

[RAILCAT]

I am in Ireland, is there any guesstimate of the shipping cost?

Postage costs from the USA to Europe can be more than the cost of goods sometimes.

If it is sensible then I am in for 1.

[dcutting]

I am in Ireland, is there any guesstimate of the shipping cost?

International shipping is a flat-rate $30.

[C855B]

Congratulations are in order, David - you made $1000 over your goal in two days!

[dcutting]

Congratulations are in order, David - you made $1000 over your goal in two days!

Everyone - THANK YOU for your support. This has been such a success so far, and there's still 30 days left in the campaign. I'm now starting to work on expansion boards that will be available after the campaign is over - including a booster station board and LCC/loconet expansions. I'm so excited to get these boards out to y'all!

Thanks,
David

[dcutting]

I sent out an update to backers over the weekend, there is a link to it here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wasatchscalemodels/firebox-a-tiny-dcc-train-controller/posts/2869528

In summary, I've made some major changes to the board:

• Change the processor to the SAMC21 to make life easier for the LCC fans out there
• Use a higher pin-count version of the processor so that there's more pins available for user expansion.
• Fully isolate the USB interface to protect your computer. The isolator chip can withstand 2500V.
• Switch the h-bridge from the DRV8874 to the DRV8873 so that there is better short circuit protection and the board runs cooler

I'm hard at work making a couple of expansion boards, and details will be available on those in the next few days. Expansion boards will be available as add-on items after the campaign is over, and before rewards ship.

Thanks everyone for the continued support!

David

[Cajonpassfan]

Excuse my ignorance, but how does one actually run trains? What’s the engineer/loco interface? A smartphone? A tablet/laptop?
Otto K.

[greenwizard88]

A computer running JMRI gets plugged into the USB port. Anything that interfaces with JMRI can then control your train. Generally yes, this means a phone/tablet or using JMRI itself on your pc.

[mighalpern]

David:
can you daisy chain two or more for a large layout. and then drive that thru one computer ??
very interested in these
Miguel

[dcutting]

can you daisy chain two or more for a large layout. and then drive that thru one computer ??

I will be offering a booster board once the campaign is over. That board will be able to "amplify" the signal on the tracks, and because FireBox has two 5A motor drivers, it will create two new zones, with RailCom detection in each zone. I'm ordering a prototype for this board in the next week.

David

[mighalpern]

Ok David:
 I kicked in.
 Wish you well on the project
Miguel

[VonRyan]

If Kickstarter took PayPal I’d have been interested.