prostocktrainguy Can a current keeper be installed into any engine with dcc?
Can a current keeper be installed into any engine with dcc?
Installed in any DCC engine? Theoretically, there's no reason why not.
Things to watch:
1/ measure the available space inside - the ST CK is quite bulky
2/ there's plenty of schematics online, Yes, but there may not be one for your particular loco; and if there's no socket to plug it into, one has to be comfortable with using a DMM (to find the +/- output points of the rectifier bridge) and have good soldering skills (once you find those points, you'll need to solder your CK wires onto the decoder PWB - this requires some skill)
3/ CK 'blue' wire goes to bridge '+' point; CK 'black' wire goes to bridge (-) point
That's it. One note however.
Even with latest technology decoders and motors and at standard HO track voltage around 14.4 V, CK discharge current will be @100 mA. At this rate and voltage, the theoretical max discharge time will be 6 sec, and not the marketed 10 sec. In my case it was 1.5 sec (with all new decoders and motors, discharge current @70 mA), before I started modifying the things.
With older motors, the discharge time should be expected to be shorter.
Just sharing my experience, so don't be surprized or upset. Just learn and move on! :)
Good luck!
Thanks Randy.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
If you can find the negative side of the power circuit, you can connect the current keeper. No different than any other decoder. That's the hardest part about trying to connect one to a decoder that didn't come with the option for one.
Can certainly get better sound and drive performacne from a newer decoder - sound especially, as those old decoders are 8 bit low bitrate sound, and can only play 3 sounds at once. Not to mention the microcontroller is somewhat overloaded with the sound playing, so blowing the horn with BEMF turned on makes them slow down - the processor doesn't have enough horesepower to play sounds AND do the BEMF calculations at the same time.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinkerThat will have an early Digitrax sound decoder in it. Unless it has been swapped out.
I thought the date might be significant but I don't know. What does that mean for the OP, could he get better performance from a newer decoder? Will it still accept the current keeper?
That will have an early Digitrax sound decoder in it. Unless it has been swapped out.
We have dueling threads.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/281683.aspx
The OP has a Tower 55, which I hadn't heard of, but is a line of plastic locos from Overland reviewed in MR in 2006
One example. Shrink wrapped decoders will be difficult.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0cXXBtPFmY
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.
well, yes , but ...
The ground pad will need to exposed, they all have them, but some are not labelled / exposed ... The positive normally goes to the blue [positive common]
This site covers a good portion of decoders (sound and non-sound) and how to attach a stay alive capacitor to them ....
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Usually but check the SoiundTraxx site for instructions if you are new to DCC. Decoder installs vary.