Page 003 MERG CANUSB4 - johnmholmes/Arduino-CBUS--Introduction-Series GitHub Wiki

Last updated 5/10/24

MERG CANUSB4 Unit

To follow along with this guide you really need this kit from MERG.

IMG_3230

  • To join MERG you will need to visit. the cost of a yearly subscription depends on your location.
  • The price of the unit was £12.68 plus postage and packing when I started the series.
  • Once you have joined you will have access to the kit locker page, which has many different kits you can use for CBUS Kits.
  • The CANUSB4 is the method I will be using through out this journey.
  • The kit comes with a 4 page build instructions which needs to be followed.
  • The CANUSB4 has one USB port. This can be shared using the CBUS SERVER. This makes it possible to use e.g. JMRI and FCU from one CANUSB4.
  • I am limited to what I can show due to copywrite of the MERG documentation.

LINK 2 setting

You will not see this mentioned in the instructions but this was advised to me by Ian Hart the person who designed the unit, and built my unit which has made this journey possible due to time constraints I have.

While I will not go into details of the kit, LK2 in the picture is set to “12v”. I would recommend this being set to (USB) This means that the CANUSB4 is powered from the computer.

This is preferable as if powered from the 12V it will “disconnect” from the computer when the 12V is interrupted and can “crash” the program as it loses the USB connection.

  • 12 volt I will not be connecting at all.
  • L choose a colour for your system and stick with it is my advice.
  • H As above.
  • 0v It is important to make sure you use a common ground between all modules.

Test as Per instruction

Once you have carried out the tests set out in the instructions we are ready to connect the CANUSB4 to either JMRI or the FCU.