Tools & Tips

USB Serial Cable

With this handy module you can make a USB to 5v serial cable. With it you can connect the node to a serial terminal program or to a computer running JMRI.

USB-Serial
DigiKey item MOD USB SERIAL 5V EMBEDDED PCB 768-1017-ND $15.00

Power Connector

This is what I'm using to tap into the DCC 14ga buss (N scale).

DCC Pwr Conn

Much better than the old perf board version. There are ten on one PC Board so with 3 boards per OSHPark order you get 30 connectors. At $37.55 per order that's $1.25 per board.

The terminal blocks takes up to 14ga wire.
The DigiKey part number is ED1601-ND

Download PC Board file here.