Skip to content

Loco.Engineering RC car board

Wireless DCC train/multifunction decoder

Note: If there are any features you would like to use with this board, feel free to contact us at hey@loco.engineering with a description of what you want to achieve. We will add those features as quickly as possible.

Getting Started

The steps below apply to Loco.Engineering RC car boards and custom boards using SimpleDCC/WCC firmware, which you can download from our GitHub repository.

  • Solder the components: Attach DC motors, servo motors, and other sensors. Follow the schematic provided below for proper connections. Schematic - RC car circuit for Arduino
  • Prepare the board: Insert the board into a firmware uploader tool and connect the tool to a computer if you need to upload the firmware. Alternatively, connect the board to any power source if the firmware is already installed. Firmware uploader RC car circuit for Arduino
  • Connect to WiFi: Open the WiFi network list on a mobile device, laptop, or tablet and connect to the "loco_rcxxxxx" network.
  • Access the web app: After connecting to the decoder’s WiFi, open a browser and navigate to http://loco.local or http://192.168.4.1. From there, you can access the web app to configure and control the decoder. Note: While connected to the decoder’s WiFi, your device will not have internet access.
  • Control the board: Use the web app to control the board. If you don’t see a specific feature, feel free to contact us at hey@loco.engineering with a description of the features you would like to have. Most features can be implemented within 1–3 days.

Loco.Engineering Train Decoder Specifications

  • 6 layer PCB with everything you need to build a RC battery-powered car/vehicle with realistic physics even in small scales (1/87 and bigger)
  • Based on ESP32S3 - Dual-core XTensa LX7 MCU, capable of running at 240 MHz with 4MB flash memory and 2MB RAM.
  • Control up to 2 DC motors and similar loads with 2 new DC motor drivers from Texas Instruments, total current up to 3A, Back EMF, and current sensing.
  • Control up to 4 servo motors.
  • WiFi/BLE connectivity.
  • Battery charging - you can connect a li-poly or li-ion battery with a nominal 3.6V.
  • Built-in audio amplifier - just connect a speaker and you can play sounds from your vehicle.
  • Source available firmware based on Arduino and ESP-IDF, including special firmware for a remote controller. Check the repository on GitHub.
  • 7 GPIOs with PWM to control lights and other loads.
  • Battery level indication.
  • I2C and SPI to connect external sensors like gyroscope.
  • 5V and 3.3V outputs.
  • The smallest circuit with such features available on the market that fits even vehicles in scale H0 or 1:87, dimensions - 15mm x 27mm.
  • Over-the-air updates.
  • Firmware updates every week.
  • Designed and produced in Europe.
  • Available in 2 versions - bare circuit and with soldered wires.
  • Fast and friendly support.
  • Costs less than buying development modules with components and soldering them together.
  • Commercial license available for everyone including small indie brands and manufacturers without any "leave you phone number, we'll discuss details". We charge a small fee (2%, max 2EUR) per each sold product with our hardware and firmware without any additional fixed and initial fees.
  • Possibility to connect UWB (Ultra-wideband - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-wideband) modules for indoor tracking with accuracy in a few centimeters.
  • Possibility to connect an NFC reader.
  • Car modules can communicate with other car modules to make your layout more interactive or just play with friends.
  • Removable USB type-C for charging and firmware uploading.
  • Possibility to connect your own charging module - for example, wireless charging.
  • Zero vendor lock-in, you can change the firmware as you want.

What remote-control battery-powered projects can you build with the Loco.Engineering car/vehicle module?

The module features 2 DC motor drivers capable of controlling 2 brushed DC motors, 5V and 3.3V outputs, and 7 GPIOs for connecting servo motors and other sensors, NFC readers, and UWB modules. Here are a few examples of projects you can create with this board:

  • Cars for your train and city layouts where cars follow magnetic links.
  • Small RC cars where you can use only a brushed DC motor for steering because there is not enough space for a servo motor. The module has 2 independent DC motor drivers, allowing you to use 2 DC motors in your car.
  • Any battery-powered vehicles such as cranes, boats, etc.
  • RC cars with steering powered by a servo motor and realistic physics.
  • RC battery-powered trains that require 5V or less.
  • Convert your favourite Hot Wheels and other cars to a remote control car
  • Create interactive layouts with cars, traffic lights, movable infrastructure objects (for example, garage doors), displays, sound

How to control a car/vehicle with the Loco.Engineering car module:

  • Using a remote controller over ESP-NOW. Firmware and schematic examples with 2 joysticks powered from a battery are available in our git repository. The kit with all required components to build a remote controller is available at our online shop.
  • Over WiFi from a browser on a mobile device or computer.

Circuit Schematic

Custom Firmware/Code

An RC car board is based on ESP32S3 SoC that's why any project that can be launched on ESP32S3 (Arduino or ESP-Idf based) will work on this board. Follow the instructions for building and uploading custom firmware in our GitHub repository.

Where to Buy?

You can order Loco.Engineering RC boards exclusively from our online shop.

Questions?

Contact us at hey@loco.engineering