This page features schematics and diagrams that are for use with the MiniDCC© system. - A DCC ( Digital Command Control) do-it-yourself project....
The schematics are for two versions of the MiniDCC© circuit. The first using the original PIC 16C84 controller and the second version using the newer the PIC 16F628 controller.
NOTE - Resistor R12 in the original version of these circuits at the MiniDCC© site is not required and has been omitted from the following schematics. It can be left off of the circuit board as well.
The third diagram is a connection diagram for the controllers printed circuit board and is for both versions of the controller circuit.
The fourth diagram is for a DCC booster circuit based on the LMD 18200 - H Bridge motor driver integrated circuit. This booster was designed to be used with the MiniDCC© system.
More information about the system and purchasing components is available at the the MiniDCC© home page.
A 1 Microfarad tantalum capacitor has been added to the 5 Volt supply connection of the controller circuits that did not appear in the original MinDCC© files. Also the booster circuit has a different capacitor compliment than the original. These changes were made based on my personal design preferences.
This web page has no official connection to the MiniDCC© system. The diagrams on this page were produced for my personal use and are posted here with the permission of the designer of the MiniDCC© system.
Diagrams and general information for the MiniDCC© System that I built for my personal use on this web site also.
The explanations for the circuits on these pages cannot hope to cover every situation on every layout. For this reason be prepared to do some experimenting to get the results you want. This is especially true of circuits such as the "Across Track Infrared Detection" circuits and any other circuit that relies on other than direct electronic inputs, such as switches.
If you use any of these circuit ideas, ask your parts supplier for a copy of the manufacturers data sheets for any components that you have not used before. These sheets contain a wealth of data and circuit design information that no electronic or print article could approach and will save time and perhaps damage to the components themselves. These data sheets can often be found on the web site of the device manufacturers.
Although the circuits are functional the pages are not meant to be full descriptions of each circuit but rather as guides for adapting them for use by others. If you have any questions or comments please send them to the email address on the Circuit Index page.