DCC

Booster

The booster gives power supply to track and transmit DCC data from Command Station.

Depending on booster power you can driver more or less locomotives in the layout at the same time, in N scale, every locomotive gets between 0,3A and 0,5A then with a 2A booster we can drive 4 locomotives at the same time, if accesory decoders get its power from the booster you need aditional power, a 10A booster isn't useful because in a short the 10A were continuosly present with the risk of burning somewhat, its better to divide the layout in parts cutting both rails and connecting a little booster per zone (from 3A to 5A), in this case becareful with the polarity you connect the boosters to prevent having double voltages, you can build an DCC polarity tester to verify that two adjacent booster are in phase.

There are diferent boosters you can use with DCC_Gen, here you will find some of them but in general any booster that can accept a 5V DCC data is valid:

Prototype Booster
MiniDCC Booster
NMRAF8 Booster
BoosteR-CDE
Other boosters

Roco10761-CDE, CDE Adaptor for Roco 10761 booster
BoosterDisp, Display to view current consumption of NanoX, NanoX-S88 or BoosteR-CDE
VoltAmpDCC, DCC Voltage and Current meter

Prototype Booster

MiniDCC Booster

The MiniDCC booster of estacion digital uses a LM18200T and a few parts, to connect this booster to DCC_Gen conect the DCC out from DCC_Gen (X2-2) to the booster input (pin 3 of the LM18200) and the booster ground with DCC_Gen ground (X2-1) on the other hand you have to power the booster between 11V to 16V DC and with the same power the station (X3)

Fernando Rey sends me his board design of this booster, you can download here

Another booster that uses a LM18200T is the one from HABA, this is optocoupled, and when DCC signal is lost at the input, disconects the track power. To conect to DCC_Gen, join the DCC out from DCC_Gen (X2-2) to the booster input IN1 and IN2 to DCC_Gen ground (X2-1), you have to power the booster between 12V to 16V DC, you can also power the station (X3).
Satur sends me photos of his booster HABA, the only one rare part is diode D1 (E452) but you can use a normal diode.

NMRAF8 Booster

This booster of TMWDCC uses a L298, its optoisolated and gives up to 6A (with a good heatsink) in this case the opto (IC3) its connected with the output of DCC_Gen (X2-2) to the positive input (data from computer) and the ground with the opto negative input (signal ground). The other opto (IC2) overload indicator don't have connection to DCC_Gen because this signal itsn't used so itsn't necesary to mount this opto, beware when booster LED D2 lights showing overload to give out the short preventing overheating of the L298.

Other boosters

There are more boosters you can use like Le Monde du digital that uses a L298, in this case connect the trafo to JP1 and X3 of DCC_Gen, the connect JP2 to DCC_Gen (ground -> JP2-1 with X2-1 of DCC_Gen and DCC data -> JP2-2 with X2-2)

As you see boosters conection is very similar, on one side two wires to transformer and two more wires, one joining DCC data out of DCC_Gen with booster DCC(+) data input and other joining DCC_Gen ground with booster ground or booster DCC(-) input.

There are more boosters using L298 and other using other integrated circuits like SHMDBoost, and others with more or less power with transistor output. Search the most convenient for you.

The most recent booster can generate the cutout for RailCom as the BoosteR-CDE

The BoosteR-CDE needs a DCC signal varying from positive to negative, you have to connect like this:

Roco10761-CDE

Roco 10761 booster is quite popular but hasn't CDE inputs, and the short-circuit protection is managed by the Lokmaus / MultiMAUS throttle connected to Master plug so if you want to use as independent booster the output has to be protected (usually by a car bulb or a fuse).

Along with Jindra Fucik I designed an adapter for the Roco 10761 booster with CDE inputs, for more details see here.

WARNING!: Always connect the E signal to prevent the fuse blows in case of short circuit.

Download PCB, schematics and manual here in pdf format from Adobe, if you want to build your own PCB or identify componets see this tutorials.

BoosterDisp

Display to view current consumption of NanoX, NanoX-S88 y BoosteR-CDE with one LED point indication.

Download PCB, schematics and manual here in pdf format from Adobe, if you want to build your own PCB or identify componets see this tutorials.