Ok, I am trying to learn how to attach a keep alive to a decoder. I think I've watched every You Tube video on the planet. What I don't understand is where you attach the keep alive. I get that the 2 wires (TCS keep alives have 2 wires) go to the tabs that control motor power. But how do you know which tabs on the decoder those are? Since decoder plugs are standardized (right?), shouldn't the keep alive always be wired the same, regardless of the brand of decoder? Or should I swap out all my decoders for decoders that either have keep alives already installed or that have that little connector plug the keep alive would plug in to?
Lefty
a keep alive is relatively simple to hook up. the positive goes to a connection point to the blue wire,, while the ground wire -should- go to a point on the diodes where the negative is located .. there are two choices for this ...
i don't think there is two way comminication on the 8pin, or 9pin, or the 22pin connectors themselves
Some decoders provide a negative solder pad marked (-) that you can attach the "ground" wire to. Look closely for one. If you are still in doubt as to the connections, contact the manufacturer. Most will provide the desired information. Just be sure to tell them you are trying to connect their keep-alive product to their decoder. They may be more cooperative if they think you are using only their products.
Hornblower
abbieleibowitzSince decoder plugs are standardized (right?), shouldn't the keep alive always be wired the same, regardless of the brand of decoder?
Decoder plugs were standardized before "keep-alives" were a common thing.
Hello All,
abbieleibowitzOk, I am trying to learn how to attach a keep alive to a decoder.
The term "Keep Alive" is a trademarked name for an Energy Storage Device (Unit)- -ESD or ESU by the company Train Control Systems (TCS)- -Keep Alive.
Digitrax calls them "Power Xtenders" and ESU calls them "Power Packs." Other manufacturers call them something else.
Most are attached via two (2) wires, some use three (3).
Unless you are building your own generic ESD, many of these are proprietary to the manufacturer.
Knowing which decoder manufacturer and sound or non-sound, helps in the installation.
With Digitrax decoders most come with a two (2) pin socket that the Power Xtender plugs directly into. There are specific Power Xtenders for sound or non-sound applications.
Even within the Digitrax decoder line, these are not interchangeable.
Another consideration is the space available for your application.
TCS offers decoders with the "Keep Alive" function built into the decoder, so no extra space is needed for the capacitor array.
Knowing which decoder you are dealing with can help the great folks on these forums to assist you in your solution.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"