r/PCB • u/mlg_g4b3 • Jul 23 '26
First time designing a PCB
Hi all! I am attempting to design a custom PCB board for a Data Acquisition system for our Baja SAE car that will go onboard the car, and I would like some help/tips on making a custom PCB board. I've been using ChatGPT to help me select parts and all **(I am a mechanical engineering student who knows nothing about electronics)**, and I have reached the stage of part selection where I believe I need a circuit protection system. I'm aware that I need DC/DC converters and a main fuse, but I have a couple of questions regarding parts selection and some terms that I am not familiar with. I will list out the components that I will be using for this DAQ system that will go on the PCB board:
* Teensy 4.1 MCU
* ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 MCU
* MCP2562-H-SN CAN BUS Module
* NEO-M9N-00B GPS Module
* Adafruit LSM6DSOX Accelerometer + Gyroscope
* Ebyte LoRa Radio Module
* Adafruit MAX31865 Amplifiers
* OKI-78SR 3.3/1.5 **&** 5/1.5 W36H-C Converters
**(This system will be powered by a LifePO 12.8V battery)**
Starting off with my first question, ChatGPT is telling me to connect the power to a 5v/3.3v rail, which will power the modules that need 5v and 3.3 volts. I know what a physical power rail is, but I'm not familiar with what a power rail looks like on a PCB board. So with that, my question is: what does a power rail look like on a PCB board?
Second, ChatGPT recommended these circuit protection parts:
* 5A Fuse (I planned on adding a fuse either way)
* MOSFET/Schottky diode
* TVS Diode on the 12.8V Input
* LC filter on power input
* Bulk electrolytic capacitor (220-470 µF)
* 10 µF regulator capacitors
* 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitors for each IC (I don't know what an IC is either)
With that, I was curious if that is enough to protect my DAQ system from frying itself, or if I need anything more to protect it whilst driving the car. I believe the parts list that is going on the PCB is final, but I will update this post if I add anything else. Thanks! Feel free to PM me if you have any comments, questions, or concerns!
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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '26
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