HM|DC and automation

[Train-354733]

I recently thought it might be fun to automate my model railway and want to use a raspberry pi for it but I don't particularly want to get too much hardware so I was wondering if there's some way to connect a raspberry pi to a HM|DC controller

[96RAF]

Short answer is no. The HM DC app sends Bluetooth commands to the 6000 and 6010 modules which control respectively the track loops and accessories.

Long answer attempts to explain why.

The only way to control a DC layout with an Arduino or RasPi is to emulate that module functionality of driving the track and operating accessories thus taking those modules out of the loop.

It is presumed you would like to program a script that allows your ‘controller ‘ to overrule the HM6K modules in some way, by-passing the app commands.

At some stage the app may be developed to add programmed operation but for now all resource is tied up with HM7K.

Essentially the 6000 module is a twin channel dcc decoder operated by Bluetooth command only, no dcc direct command control is possible. Ditto the 6010 module although a recent user choice of firmware allows this module to operate on app commands or direct DCC commands purely by which power source is connected. If it is DC through the PSU jack or DC into the Track A-B terminals then it runs from the app only. If it is fed DCC through the Track A-B terminals you can control it from a hard-wired DCC controller such as yours, thus some limited automation is possible. DCC functionality is the same as the R8247 v2.0 device. App functionality is basic operation only.