It uses a single ULN2803 or ULN2003 to select a group of 4 bus signals out of 16, namely D0 to D15. If you use a ULN2003, you simply make sure it plugs into the correct spot on the socket. This is bottom justified leaving pins 1 and 18 of the socket blank.

Boards are cascadable so that 16 relays could be run with 4 boards.

When used with the DT004 board, a stand alone Printer Port to Relay board is produced, no Microcontroller!!!
Interfacing real world things with a Dontronics DT205 relay board via a computer parallel port

The relay base layout is the same as my old relay board. This allows a wide range of relays to be used. If I was to design it for just one type, it could have been a lot smaller. It's length is 2.65", so I have called it a 2.5 Inch platform.

The AUX VBB/GND input terminals may appear to be in an awkward spot but my friend Mick convinced me that this isn't a problem. If it goes in a simm socket, you connect up the power before inserting it. If it connects via male/female pins, it isn't a problem anyway.

Has 4 LEDs and resistors across the coils so that visual operation can be seen. 560 Ohm resistors have been chosen so that 5 to 12 Volts can be readily used on the LEDs and coils.

For testing, a 3 pin header is provided so that VBB can be easily jumpered to either +5V or PWR signals on the SimmStick Bus.
Price $15AUD (~$12USD)

Download Schematic in PDF format

Free Local And International Air Mail Postage on Printed Circuit Boards. Conditions Apply.

Board Components:

1 by DT205 PCB
1 by ULN2803 or ULN2003 Driver Chip
1 by 18 pin socket. (Optional)
8 by 9 pin strips of socket header pins.(Optional)
4 by 560 Ohm Resistors .25 watt
4 by 5mm LEDs.
2 by 6 way PCB mount Screw terminals .2 Inch centers.
1 by 2 way PCB mount Screw terminal .2 Inch centers.
A set of 3 male header pins and a test or shorting shunt. (Optional).
4 suitable Relays. Read text below.

NOTE *** If your DT205 is only going to be set for a group of 4 signals then you can solder your chip straight into the board, or at least use a single socket.

If it is for development, it would pay you to get the 8 strips of socket pins so that any group of 4 signals can be selected.

If using D0 to D3 to drive the four Relays, install your ULN2803 into the E1 pin 1 position. This is shown on the overlay as '1' and lines up with '8'. The 8 signifies that you are using an 8 bit driver chip. If you were to use a 7 bit ULN2003 driver I.C., then pin 1 lines up with '1' and '7'. This will leave pins 1 and 18 blank on the socket.

The only difference beween the two chips is the extra gate and two extra pins at one end of the chip, so either chip can be used as only 4 gates are connected to the Relays. Just make sure that you bottom justify the chip to line up with the ground and VBB pins.

For D4 to D7 install your chip into E2, same principles as before.
Use E3 for D8 to D11, and install E4 for D12 to D15 selection.

Assembly:
Not that difficult, but I would recommend using the 8 socket strips for the chip if this is the first you have put this board together.

All hand assembly should be done by installing the shortest height components first.
Resistors don't matter as the legs can be bent over to hold these in place at any time.

I would suggest:
Install the Socket or socket header pins.
Install the 4 LEDs. The Cathode end is nearest the SimmStick bus. It is shown on the overlay as the dark flat marking near the lower leg. The LED itself has one leg shorter than the other. This is the cathode. It also has a flat edge. This also marks the cathode.
Install the 1 by 3 pin header block for the test or shorting link.
Install all Resistors standing upright with one leg bend over the body of the resistor so that each one will fit the .1" pattern as shown on the overlay of the board..
Install the 3 sets of screw terminals.
You can install your Relays after you have tested the LED operation of the board if you wish.

Then insert your chip. You are finished.

The walking LED test program sample is all you need to make this board work.

The 560 Ohm resistor has been chosen so that it can be used with both +5V and approx. 12 to 15 Volts. Power can be supplied to the board from one of 3 sources.

1. On J3, connect your shorting link on the 3 pin header between +5V and VBB. This is enough to turn on the LEDs, however the voltage probably won't be enough to pull in the Relays.
2. Connect the shorting link between VBB and PWR on J3. This should make the Relays operate.
3. For serious Relay work, an alternative power supply may be needed. If multiple boards are used, the existing SimmStick power supply may well fall short on being able to provide enough power for lots of Relays being switched on at once. The VBB/GND screw terminals are used for this function. Don't install a test link on J3 if using the AUX VBB input.

The DT205 Relay board can be plugged straight into a SimmStick bus via a Simm Socket, or it could be mated with a main-board or motherboard using right angle male and female pins. If the later is done, you can then solder a right angle female connector to the board so that additional Relay boards can be added.

NOTE **** Only the SimmStick bus signals D4 to D15, plus PWR, +5V, and ground are allowed to continue on the bus, so if you are using D0 to D3 for Relays, then this board must be the first in the chain.

8-Jul-2004 Took us this long to find and document this flaw, 7 years after the initial design.
There is a manufacturing defect that only affects the ability to cascade when using the D5 signal. See track missing below:
It is easy to jumper over the missing track with a short insulated wire.

Relay Selection:
Here are the measurement in inches of the relay base dimensions for the DT205 Relay board.
There are 9 large 50 mil holes on 100mil pads. The dimensions are shown below.
All other holes are 35mil in 62 mil pads. These are all at .1 inch centres in a matrix pattern.

The relay coil can be at .1, .2, .3, or .475" centres. The row of holes below the relay coil are at the .1" pattern. The lower large hole is used for the common connection relay contact on some relay types.

TOP VIEW:

Relay Types:
As more International universal Relay types become known, the list will be updated.
The Digi-Key Part listed below is the same base as the Good Sky Relay.
Aromat JS1-12V,  Digi-key part # 255-1104-ND

Doug Braun 18-Jan-2001
I just ordered some suitable relays from Mouser Electronics (www.mouser.com)
in the USA. They are a bit more hobbyist-friendly than Digi-Key, since they
have no minimum order. I ordered some Omron 653-G5LE-1-DC12 relays,
which cost $1.58 (US) each.
 

View the schematic on screen at http://www.dontronics.com/graphics/dt205act.gif

It is possible to use the same sort of setup for interfacing switches and leds to a PC parallel port to interface real world things.

Photo showing a DT205 relay board mounted on a DT004 mother board connected to a PC parallel port via ribbon cable

Download sample windows program for controlling 4 relays.

Screen shot of relay control program

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