Installation and First Start

Installation and first start

The supported installation method is the DCCExpressLite Web Installer. It uses Web Serial and therefore requires desktop Chrome, Edge, or another Chromium-based browser. Firefox, Safari, and mobile browsers cannot flash the device.

Install

1. Connect the EX-CSB1 to the computer over USB.
2. Open the Web Installer over HTTPS.
3. Select a DCCExpressLite release.
4. Connect to the serial port offered by the browser.
5. Install the merged firmware image.
6. Optionally enter the home Wi-Fi SSID and password over the installer serial connection.

The merged 4 MB image contains the bootloader, partition table, application firmware, web UI, starter layout, four locomotives, locomotive images, and signal rules.

Network modes

• With saved home-network credentials, the EX-CSB1 joins that Wi-Fi network.
• Without usable credentials, it starts its own access point.
• The LCD shows the address to open.
• Network settings are stored in ESP32 Preferences, not in exported layout files or the public firmware data set.

Open the installed application

Use either of these addresses from the same local network:

• http://dccex.local
• the numeric IP address shown on the EX-CSB1 display, such as http://192.168.1.143

The numeric DHCP address may change. Use it as a fallback when a client does not support or resolve the .local mDNS name.

Embedded Console and Web Serial

Normal browser control uses WebSocket and needs no special browser flag. Direct USB serial access from the embedded Console page additionally requires a secure browser context. The public HTTPS installer already has one; an embedded HTTP origin may need this Chrome flag:

chrome://flags/#unsafely-treat-insecure-origin-as-secure

Enter the exact trusted origins, for example http://192.168.1.143 and/or http://dccex.local, and relaunch Chrome. Do not add unrelated sites because the flag intentionally weakens secure-context protection for every listed origin.

First safety checks

• Keep the programming track electrically isolated from MAIN.
• Start with track power off.
• Verify turnout and signal addresses before operating physical accessories.
• Create a backup after initial configuration.