I was browsing the TCS store (not their main web site) and came accross this new item called a "Keep Alive" http://tcsdcc.com/public_html/Zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=488 The main TCSDCC web site has no reference to this, or any technical documentation. Anyone know anything about these? I am curious if this is intended to be used with any DCC decoder and how it might be wired? I presume that it is a brand new product that they have not fully rolled out yet?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
No idea about this product but below is an article about keep alive, sometimes called, stay alive. Not really plug and play. You will probably need some technical experience in electronics. It would probably connect right to the filtered DC voltage on the decoder.
I did not find a data sheet on the device yet. I would be surprised if TCS doea not post the data sheet soon.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Verrrrrry interesting. It looks liek maybe they jumped the gun on the web site, since it otherwise doesn't show up on their New Products section. I also looked at the largepics of some of their newest decoders, none seem to have a 2 pin connector for the plug version of that keep alive to plug into.
I would suspect it attaches like a DIY keep alive, to the + and - after the rectifier in the decoder. If so these theorectically could be used with any decoder although removing the shrink wrap and solderign to the decoder generally voids the warranty.
SOmeone was just looking for keep alive information - Marcus is the one with all the info on his site: http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Here's an update. TCS is shipping the KeepAlive decoders now in several variations. Their basic complete decoders with the KeepAlive feature are upgrades to their T1 decoders with a 9-pin interface. They come with run times of 2-5 seconds or 5-10 seconds and 2, 4, or 6 functions. They also offer an addon KeepAlive which is just the capacitors with 2-5 and 5-10 seconds also but these must be soldered to the ground and common of an exisiting, installed decoder. Very few decoders can be upgraded this way.
Hank
Marcus Ammann's site http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm shows how to add keep-alive to many different decoders. This does naturally void warranties.
The newest versions of TCS's decoders have added a connector for the stay-alive unit, so you can add it after the fact without soldering.
On one hand, I'd like to try some fo these, or buy the new T1 with it integrated for a few installs where I have room, but on the other hand, I haven't had any issues where I migth need this, or more hold time than is provided by the sound decoders that already have some amount of keep-alive. I just don;t have power issues on my layout, although it might help with the club, where the older modules connect with a short straight and this tend to have no power. 2 and 3 unit consists are almost a must except for longer steam locos that pick up on both sides of the loco and tender.