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Anyone installed a Soundtraxx Current Keeper?

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  • Member since
    July 2009
  • 178 posts
Anyone installed a Soundtraxx Current Keeper?
Posted by erosebud on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 8:43 AM

I must say I'm impressed by the YouTube demo of this new product, but I'd rather see a video showing someone actually installing one.  Unless it means just taking off a tender shell and plugging something in, I'd need a lot of specific instructions, and there doesn't seem to be anything yet on the website.  Has anyone here put one of these to use?

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 9:19 AM

It appears to be the same thing as TCS' "Keep Alive" board containing several capacitors.  I installed a TCS WOW! Sound decoder with Keep Alive into an IHC 2-10-2 tender, and the sound actually keeps working for about 8 or 10 seconds after power is cut off or the locomotive is removed from the track.

The SoundTraxx product probably requires soldering since there is no provision on a Tsunami decoder for additional circuits that I know of.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 9:32 AM

THis link will give you an idea of what's involved in wiring a "keep alive" if a direct plug in socket is not provided. http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm . I don't know if Soundtraxx is now supplyinf their decoders with a plug like the TCS decoders have.

Joe

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 2:35 PM

To date, only the shrink wrapped 1 amp Tsunami has a nine pin connector.

 All the stay alive options have to be connected to the main filter capacitor on the decoder. One lead, the positive is blue. You have to remove the shrink to get to a negative lead for the DC power in the decoder if the negative connection is not available.

 The light board decoders are already open.

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.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
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Posted by cmrproducts on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 8:09 PM

Digitrax NOW has the Keep Alive option for their Series 6 Decoders!

This is the new Buzz Word Projects ALL the DCC Mfg are coming out with!

Seeing as how there hasn't been much NEW innovation on any other area of DCC

I guess this is all we will be getting for a while!

I guess we have pretty much tapped out the DCC Innovation as nothing earth shaking is being developed or being made available for sale!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

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