Turn this into a function decoder with integrated lights?

[KevanBuilds]

Hey All,

I'm looking for a cheaper way to integrate DCC lighting in all my vehicles and thought this might be a nice project to fork from and make my own DCC-decoder integrated light strip.

Lets say I design a schematic and PCB based on this decoder that doesn't have a motor output, would that work? Or do I have to remove and rewrite parts of the software as well?

Also, a short question about the design, the wiki describes that the 6 GPIO's can be used for light loads. I gather that that is 3V max at 50A total for all 6?

Hope you can help me gather some sense in this project before I get started, thanks.

[KevanBuilds]

Also, not that my decoder needs this per-se, but would it be possible to add more Amplified function outputs by adding more N-Channel MOSFETS and connecting those to GPIO0-GPIO5 instead of the soldering pads?

[gab-k]

Hi, your findings are mostly correct i would say. You can just use the DCC functions to switch your lights. The RP2040 datasheet states 50mA current source capability for all IO combined, of course switching another 5 or however many mosfets should work fine for your application.