Connect With The Train Control

BlueRailDCC allows you to control a DCC decoder without the demand for a control station, cab controller, programming rail, or any special ability needs, all controlled by the BlueRail app on your smart device. Using the board in "DCC Style" is very easy to connect:
ii leads power the board (whatsoever polarity) and ii leads output DCC (any polarity) which serve equally the power leads to your decoder.

Your train can accept advantage of any feature your decoder offers (ie sounds, lighting fx, proceed alive, smoke etc). Users tin can besides easily edit CVs (read/write) from inside the interface. The board can exist controlled from 75' using a board with the built-in antenna, or upwardly to 150' using a board with an external u.fl antenna.

This makes the board peculiarly attractive to users interested in bombardment power or DC rail power, but also appeals to DCC decoder fans who don't want to bother with setting up a programming track to customize your train.

The board is controlled past the free BlueRail Trains app (available now in iOS).

The app is very easy to apply, and can also be used to run EZ App trains or Bluish Horse boards

The board can also read/write CVs.

For typical usage, a user volition utilize the BlueRail app to "Read All CVs" on a decoder one fourth dimension, which will load all CV values into the app. Each CV takes 1-2 seconds to read, and then reading all CVs tin be a 5 infinitesimal procedure (just you only have to do it once).

CVs may also be edited (read/write) ane at a time.

BlueRail volition proceed to update the app, so you can eventually wait the CV editing interface to improve and offer yous "presets" for popular decoders.

(The lath uses "Direct CV Mode" for reading CVs, and "Ops Manner" for writing CVs. About decoders fabricated after 2002 should back up these methods.)

You don't demand to know near DCC to have nifty sound in your locomotive and command it with your smart phone.

The gratis BlueRail Trains app (available now in iOS) is very like shooting fish in a barrel to use (with little to no pedagogy.

Your train will appear on the screen (whenever the train is receiving power). You lot can connect, and exist taken to a railroad train command screen that lets y'all run the train. There is a panel on the right that lets you lot trigger 28 functions that your train can practice (sounds, lights, behaviors).

If you lot are interested in "customizing" your train (changing the sounds, book levels, lighting fx etc), there is listing of CVs that tin exist adjusted. Modern decoders take hundreds of options and features you lot tin adjust by irresolute the CV numbers. 90% of users will be happy with the default decoder settings. If you desire to larn more about editing CVs, we will put a CV TUTORIAL HERE.

WIRING DIAGRAMS
What you should know is that the BlueRailDCC board puts out DCC signals to run a DCC train or decoder. The lath has 2 wires that put out the DCC indicate. If these ii wires are sending power to a DCC train or a DCC decoder, it will run.

The DCC decoder has colored wires that are connected to the motor and headlights (as seen below). Wire colors may vary.

IF YOUR LOCO HAS A DECODER...
If your loco has a decoder in it, yous will use the DCC output of the BlueRailDCC lath to ability the decoder.
IF YOUR LOCO HAS NO DECODER...
If your loco has no decoder in it, you will wire the low-cal, motor, and speaker wires from the decoder to your loco (using the diagram that came with your decoder), then use the DCC output of the BlueRailDCC board to power the decoder.
IF YOUR LOCO CAN BE CONTROLLED Past DCC...
Some locos can exist controlled by DCC and have the DCC decoder circuitry congenital into the circuit board in the loco. This includes:

MTH locos (2014 and newer)
Locos with drop-In mobile sound decoders
Many N scale DCC locos
Some HO, O and Thou scale DCC locos

To control one of these locos with the BlueRailDCC lath, the principal remains the same: instead of letting your circuit board receive power and DCC from the rails, information technology volition receive power and DCC from the BlueRailDCC lath.

Or you may power the board with a battery (as beneath):

If onboard audio is non important to y'all, you lot may use the BlueRailDCC lath by itself to control your loco's speed, management, and lights (front/rear) without the need for a DCC decoder.

In addition to the two DCC outputs, the board has a few extra connection points. By calculation a jumper beyond two of these points, the board can be put into "bones mode" to run your railroad train direct.

Once in bones fashion, the "DCC Out" connections can exist wired directly to your motor. three other connection points (labeled LF, LR and 3v) supply power to your Light-Front and Light-Rear (every bit shown). Here is a diagram of the connection points for "bones mode" on the small calibration lath:

The free BlueRail Trains app (available now in iOS) is very piece of cake to use (with little to no instruction.

Your train volition appear on the screen (whenever the train is receiving power). You can connect, and be taken to a railroad train control screen that lets you run the train, and control speed, management, and lights. (note, the bell and horn buttons on the interface will non trigger sounds in the board when running in "bones mode".

The Settings screen (accessed from the "cog" in the lower right of the train control screen) allows you to change your loco'southward name and other details. In that location is also a "CV Settings" page that let's you control basic details of your loco (ie acceleration and deceleration rates).

If you lot hear whatever "buzz" sound coming out of your motor, you tin can adjust CV9 to a PWM frequency that runs silently. Valid CV9 values are 0-15 (lowest to highest frequency). Default value is 5. Because different motors take different characteristics the best frequency for a specific motor can only be determined past trying different frequencies.

If you want to learn more than well-nigh editing CVs, nosotros will put a CV TUTORIAL Hither.

Below are some important items you should exist aware of before you get started.

DECODER ADDRESS MUST BE iii

At present the BlueRailDCC app expects your decoder to be set to address 3. If your decoder has an address other than 3, information technology will not respond to commands from the app. Please change the decoder address to "3" past adjusting CV1 using the CV settings page in the app.

Practise Non EXCEED MAXIMUM VOLTAGE

The large (5 amp) lath tin handle a voltage of 7-xviii volts. The pocket-sized (two amp) board can handle 7-16 volts, with a recommended range of 12-14 volts. Exercise not exceed these voltage maximums to forestall harm.

ANDROID IS NOT CURRENTLY SUPPORTED

The BlueRailDCC boards can currently be controlled past or iOS app simply (non Android). Please consider purchasing an iPhone 6splus (or newer), an iPad Mini2 (or newer), an iPad quaternary generation (or newer), or an iPod Affect 6th generation or newer. These devices can be affordably purchased (Ebay etc). You do not need a cellular service plan to control the boards.

NO IN-APP SOUNDS FOR BLUERAILDCC BOARDS

At nowadays in-app sounds are not played when decision-making BlueRailDCC boards. If you desire railroad train sounds for your loco, please select a sound decoder and adhere it to your BlueRailDCC lath. Sound decoders can cost as low every bit $twoscore-$60 or over $100 (depending on the quality/ability/features you are interested in). If you are humble almost buying a DCC decoder, remember controlling DCC sound decoders is profoundly simplified past the BlueRail app.

OLDER WI-FI REPEATERS CAN INTERFERE WITH WIRELESS SIGNAL

We have found that some older and off-brand wi-fi repeaters can interfere with wireless signals. If y'all experience connexion bug and you lot take a wi-fi repeater, endeavor turning of the repeater to encounter if it solves the problem.

NO OPEN-FRAME MOTORS WITH THE 2 AMP BOARD (BASIC Way)

Delight use only DC can motors when using the 2-amp board in basic mode. Open-Frame motors accept been known to cause issues. Besides, delight don't use a crummy onetime motor with the BlueRailDCC boards. If information technology doesn't run well on DC power, it's non going to perform any better using a BlueRailDCC board. A bad motor can fifty-fifty damage a control board, so best avoided altogether.

LGB & MARKLIN USERS: F1,F2,F3

Presently the Railroad train Command screen in the app has buttons that map to common functions: F1(bell), F2(airhorn) and F3(short horn). See the graphic below:

Some decoders used in LGB and Marklin trains use F1, F2 and F3 for other purposes (for instance F1 is often mapped to the whistle past default). Newer decoders permit you to remap these functions using CVs (consult your documentation) but some older decoders do non. If you have one of these older decoders, the bell push on the interface may trigger the whistle instead. Yous tin always trigger your functions using the function console (see image to a higher place) which allows you to proper name the buttons to match your functions. In a future app update nosotros promise to offer remapping on the Train Command graphic buttons, just they are presently setup equally depicted in the diagram above.

Install your DCC decoder in your loco according to your manufacturers instructions, except for the 2 wires that supply (DCC) power to the decoder.

Please reference the diagram below for wiring the BlueRailDCC board to your decoder.

ii power leads may be connected to the "Power" input using any polarity (red and black in diagram).

2 wires may exist connected to the "DCC OUT" using whatever polarity (blue and yellow in diagram) which will be used to power your decoder.

Exercise non allow the bare metallic prongs on the (underside of the lath) or the components on the lath to contact whatever metallic surface.

Remember to position the Rigado module so it is not next to any metal in your loco.

Double-sided record may be used for mounting purposes. If your loco has a metallic chassis, avert putting the metallic chassis directly nether the board. If convenient, add a layer of insulating material (plastic, styrene, balsa wood, foam etc) between the chassis and the lath (to improve radio reception, and prevent possible electrical shorts).

If you plan to use Air conditioning track power using a Lionel power pack that outputs "CHOPPED SINE Wave" power, please refer to the following document:
BlueRailDCC-ChoppedSineWave
With your board mounted and wired to your decoder, turn on your ability supply (or connect your bombardment). A green LED should illuminate on the board indicating it has powered up. Your DCC decoder may produce startup sounds. At this stage you are fix to launch the BlueRail Trains app and connect to your train. Please proceed to the section below "USING THE BLUERAIL APP".

Practice not exceed 18 volts of power to the five amp board to prevent damage.

A BlueRailDCC board may be operated in "Basic Mode" which will allow the board to control a loco's speed, direction, and lights (Front/Rear) without the need for a DCC decoder. To put a board in Basic Mode, a jumper must be added between two connectedness points on the board (as shown in green on the diagram below):

The large board contains 2 blackness narrow "headers" (~8mm high) with 7 connection points on each header, suitable for inserting the tip of a solid wire. To put the lath in Bones Mode, use a wire to connect the Ground(Gnd) to the Decoder Mode(R)

When the board is in Bones Mode, the "DCC OUT" tin can be connected directly to the loco motor. Once connected, if you detect the loco runs in the opposite management as expected (forward/reverse) so bandy the wires (white/yellowish in the diagram) as needed.

Located between the GND and the R (jumper) is a iii.3 volts (+) connection (labeled "3v" in diagram). Run a wire from this signal to the positive(+) side of each of your loco lights (Front/Rear). This output is 20 mA. If your lights are LEDs, a 100 ohm resistor may be added (if your bulbs cannot handle 20 mA).

The negative(-) side of each of your lights should be continued to LF (Lite Forepart) and LR (Lite Rear).

BOARD MOUNTING TIPS

When mounting the board in your loco, do not allow the blank metal prongs on the (underside of the lath) or the components on the board to contact any metal surface.

Recollect to position the antenna as high as you can in the loco.

Double-sided record may be used for mounting purposes. If your loco has a metal chassis, avert putting the metallic chassis directly nether the board. If convenient, add a layer of insulating material (plastic, styrene, balsa wood, foam etc) betwixt the chassis and the board (to improve radio reception, and prevent possible electric shorts).

If you plan to use Air conditioning track power using a Lionel ability pack that outputs "CHOPPED SINE Wave" power, please refer to the following document:
BlueRailDCC-ChoppedSineWave
With your board mounted and wired to your decoder, turn on your power supply (or connect your battery). A green LED should illuminate on the board indicating it has powered upwards. At this stage yous are ready to launch the BlueRail Trains app and connect to your train. Please proceed to the section below "USING THE BLUERAIL APP".

Do not exceed xviii volts of ability to the 5 amp board to prevent damage.

Install your DCC decoder in your loco according to your manufacturers instructions, except for the 2 wires that supply (DCC) power to the decoder.

Please reference the diagram below for wiring the BlueRailDCC board to your decoder.

2 power leads may be continued to the "POWER" input using any polarity (crimson and black wires in diagram).

two wires may exist connected to the "DCC OUT" using any polarity (yellow and white wires in diagram) which will be used to power your decoder.

If your loco has very little space and you need to shorten the length of the board, the iv wire connector can exist removed at one finish (left side in diagram beneath).

Alternating ability in and DCC out connections are provided which you may use instead (soldering required). You may also break the left end of the board off at the perforations indicated in the diagram (if desired) to reduce the board length to 1.5".

When mounting the board in your loco, practice non allow the bare metal prongs on the (underside of the board) or the components on the board to contact any metallic surface.

Call back to position the Rigado module and so it is non adjacent to whatever metal in your loco.

Double-sided record may be used for mounting purposes. If your loco has a metal chassis, avoid putting the metal chassis direct under the board. If convenient, add a layer of insulating material (plastic, styrene, balsa wood, foam etc) betwixt the chassis and the board (to improve radio reception, and preclude possible electrical shorts).

With your lath mounted and wired to your decoder, plow on your power supply (or connect your battery). A green LED should illuminate on the board indicating it has powered upward. Your DCC decoder may produce startup sounds. At this stage you lot are set to launch the BlueRail Trains app and connect to your train. Please continue to the section below "USING THE BLUERAIL APP".

Practise not exceed 16 volts of power to the two amp board to prevent impairment.

A BlueRailDCC board may exist operated in "Bones Mode" which volition allow the board to control a loco's speed, direction, and lights (Front end/Rear) without the need for a DCC decoder. To put a board in Basic Mode, a jumper must exist added between ii connection points on the board (as shown in green on the diagram below):

To put the board in Basic Style, use a wire to connect the Ground(Thou) to the Decoder Style(D) (Light-green in diagram below).

When the board is in Basic Style, the "DCC OUT" (yellow and white wires in diagram) can be connected directly to the loco motor. In one case continued, if you find the loco runs in the opposite management as expected (forward/opposite) then swap the wires (white/yellow in the diagram) every bit needed.

Located between the GND and the D (jumper) is 3.3 volts (+)connection point (labeled "3" in diagram). Run a wire from this point to the positive(+) side of each of your loco lights (Forepart/Rear). This output is 20 mA. If your lights are LEDs, a 100 ohm resistor may exist added (if your bulbs cannot handle 20 mA).

The negative(-) side of each of your lights should be connected to L (Light Front) and 50 (Lite Rear).

BOARD MOUNTING TIPS

When mounting the board in your loco, do non let the bare metal prongs on the (underside of the board) or the components on the lath to contact any metal surface.

Retrieve to position the antenna every bit high equally you can in the loco.

Double-sided tape may exist used for mounting purposes. If your loco has a metallic chassis, avert putting the metallic chassis directly under the board. If user-friendly, add a layer of insulating material (plastic, styrene, balsa wood, foam etc) between the chassis and the board (to improve radio reception, and forbid possible electrical shorts).

With your board mounted and wired to your decoder, plough on your power supply (or connect your battery). A green LED should illuminate on the lath indicating information technology has powered up. At this phase y'all are ready to launch the BlueRail Trains app and connect to your train. Delight proceed to the section beneath "USING THE BLUERAIL APP".

Do non exceed 16 volts of power to the 2 amp board to prevent harm.

When you lot launch the BlueRail app (with your lath powered and in range), information technology should appear on the home screen of the app

With the default name "BlueRail TamVy" and a "CONNECT" button to the right.

Click the "Connect" button to connect.

The button will change to "Connecting", and in one case connected the button will say "Disconnect".

The kickoff time yous connect to a board, affect the name "BlueRail TamVy" and you will be taken to the "Settings Screen" where you are given an option to proper name your lath (Loco Nickname) and "choose your decoder type", as well every bit a few other options.

Please select one of the decoder type options from the list:

128 CVs
Basic Style
Tsunami Diesel
Tsunami Steam
TCS
ESU Diesel fuel
ESU Steam

These are interface presets that dictate which function buttons will display by default, and the CVs displayed on the CV editing page. Choose the nearly advisable selection. This can always be inverse on the "Settings" screen for every loco.

Once you have fabricated a choice, click the imprint at the pinnacle of the screen, and you lot will be taken to the train control screen.

The "CV Settings" let's yous read/write the CVs in your decoder.

The "Read All CVs" button will read all CVs in your decoder and load all CV values into the app. Each CV takes ane-2 seconds to read, so reading all CVs can be a 5 minute process. Once you lot have read all CVs into your app, they will be stored permanently within the app. Yous mostly merely have to do the "Read All CVs" procedure once for any decoder.

Straight beneath the "Read All CVs" button is a single line that allows you to read or write the value of whatever specific CV.

For CVs 1-256 the page tin be prepare to either "0" or "1".

Directly below the "unmarried line CV read/write" is a sub-section containing "CVs 1-256". You must open up this subsection when using "Read All CVs" so the app tin can read the data in that subsection.

Some decoders utilize more that CVs 1-256. If you have selected a Tsunami decoder blazon, boosted subsections will appear in this area (Page1, Page2, Page3).

If you are using a Tsunami, TCS or ESU decoder type and your decoder has the mill settings, nosotros have attempted to pre-enter all of the default manufactory CV values into the app subsections, and so a "Read All CVs" may not be necessary.

All CV reads are performed in service mode using "Direct CV Way". Your decoder will get into service manner (no sound, no train control) whenever you lot perform a "read".

All CV writes are performed in "Ops mode". Yous may operate your loco when performing CV writes.

"Straight CV Mode" and "Ops Mode" methods should be supported by most decoders fabricated after 2002.

The BlueRail app has excellent consisting and speed-matching built right into the app which will allow you to easily consist and speed match trains without the need for making DCC adjustments. When running multiple trains, trains may be "linked" to a consist using a pulldown button (chain-link icon) located beneath and to the left of the greenish throttle knob (see below - boxed in yellow).

To assign two locos to consist "A", click the link button for each loco and select "A".

The outset train selected volition automatically be assigned as the "Lead" loco in the consist. Sequentially selected locos volition be assigned "mid loco" or "rear loco". Locos may exist assigned as "Facing Frontwards" or "Facing Astern". The "Lead Loco" will have throttle, lighting and audio controls. The "Rear Loco" can become the "Lead Loco" at whatever time, past selecting the "Make Lead" button.

When two or more than locos are selected, a speed-matching button ("SM") will appear at the bottom of the Multi-Railroad train screen. This button gives you access to the speed-matching utility which volition allow you to speed friction match the consisted locos at 3 speeds (Low, Med, High).

This utility will allow y'all to "tweak" the relative speed of your consisted locos at iii speeds (Low, Med, High). You can also tweak locos to outset/stop a niggling earlier or later (to meliorate align starts and stops). All adjustments are saved within the app and used whenever the locos are consisted together.

The video tutorial below explains how to use the speed matching utility.

Speed Matching is compatible with BlueRailDCC, Bachman E-Z App and older BlueRail boards.

Beneath are fixes to consider if you tin can connect to your board, but cannot run your train:

The BlueRailDCC board has a reddish LED that blinks whenever the lath receives a command from the app. Please verify that the red LED blinks whenever you endeavor to command the train from inside the app. This will help you understand if the lath is receiving DCC commands from the app.

Brand sure that the app is correctly identifying your board equally a BlueRailDCC board. The app determines what blazon of lath yous take when it connects (ie BlueRailDCC, Blue Horse, or EZ App) and uses that determination to evidence the proper interface elements and transport commands. On sure older iOS devices, information technology is possible your smart device is misidentifying your board, and may think your board is an EZ App loco. Here are some clues that your smart device may exist having this issue:

For a BlueRailDCC board, the "role console" in the train command screen should accept a "MUTE" button in the upper right corner and selectors for "FCN1-14" and "FCN15-28" in the upper left (see screen capture in the TRIGGERING FUNCTIONS subsection.
For a BlueRailDCC board, the "Settings Page" (accessed from the cog graphic in the lower right of the train control screen) should resemble the screen capture in the SETTINGS SCREEN subsection.

If either of these screens (in a higher place) are not displaying correctly, and then your smart device is failing to correctly identify the type of lath you are using. This diagnosis is reinforced if the crimson LED on your lath does non glimmer when you lot attempt to run the railroad train (or command the lights/sounds). If you have access to another iOS device, please download the BlueRail Trains app onto the other device and run into if the problem goes away. To help us farther sympathise the problem, delight go into SETTINGS > General > Almost in your iOS device and note the "Model Name", "Model Number" and "Software Version".

Verify that your decoder is receiving ability (most modern decoders have an LED indicating they are receiving power). If you lot suspect your decoder is not receiving power, check the connexion the the "DCC OUT" on the BlueRailDCC board.

Please consult the INSTALLATION section of the userguide and verify your wiring is correct, and check all connections.

Both of the BlueRailDCC boards take adjustments to melody motor performance in BASIC fashion. The principal aligning is the Pulse Width Modulation frequency controlled by CV9. The adjustment range is 0-15 from lowest to highest frequency. The default setting is v. Most motors run fine at this value and there is no demand to change it.

If the motor whines or runs rough at certain speeds, effort different CV9 values and pick the one at which the motor runs best. In general the lower frequencies provide better depression speed command, but may become noisy and crude running at college speeds. Higher frequencies in full general create very smoothen and repose operation, merely provide less precise depression speed control and require a higher throttle setting to showtime the loco moving.

To compensate for the higher throttle setting set CV2 (Vstart) to college value. Default value is 10. Also increase the value in CV65 (Kick start). Default is 25.

Very quondam HO scale locos with open frame motors may require special consideration with a 2 amp board. These motors generate voltage spikes in certain situations. If these voltage spikes get as well large or too frequent the board will close off the motor output to protect itself. To indicate this over voltage situation the board flashes the red LED on the board and alternately flashes the head and rear light for v seconds. After five seconds the lath will over again attempt to run the motor. Increasing the PWM frequency will generally right this situation.

Note that the CV9 values are non linear. Values v and 12 are special cases due to astern compatibility requirements. Here is a table of the possible CV9 values: