SoundTraxx Current keeper

This link is about a similar version. You want the two leads to connect to the output of the full wave bridge rectifier on the decoder. Very easy to find. Comes with instructions.

In case you do not have the SoundTraxx site.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/

Standard for any kind of keep alive circuits.

Stay alive does not mean you don't have to clean track anymore.

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm

Rich

Current Keeper

Thanks for the reply. My real question is how do you fit into the Engine? This is not a small unit

Possibly....

thumbs up for the CurrentKeeper

A while back I picked up a PBL K-27 #458, the owner had disassembled it and planned on installing DCC, but gave up. When I got it, it was in pieces, but as far as I can see everything is there. The bonus is that it came with a TSU-1000.

He hacked up the tender pretty bad, but I think I can cover the damage with a big coal load.

I have installed a Railmaster speaker and wired up the TSU-1000 and this afternoon I wired in the new Soundtraxx CurrentKeeper. Man; this CurrentKeeper allows this engine to crawl, and crawl over anything. I even had it moving, picked it up and put it on the kitchen counter and it ran or 6 seconds. The only issue I see is that if it ever derails, it will keep on moving possibly getting damaged.

I am installing a TSU FL4 decoder in the boiler, I am using the 0603 SMD LEDs for lights. I have installed one in the headlight and tinted it with Tamiya Clear Orange to give it more of a yellow glow. I have one light in the cab and another light in the firebox tinted with Tamiya Clear Red. I also managed to get the SMD in the classification lamps.

More to do, but thumbs up for the CurrentKeeper.

-- Bill Beverly   

Just saw the Current keeper

Just saw the Current keeper on a you tube vid. Pretty cool even tho its simple and basily just a large capasitor.

Question is this a direct PNP item that can be connected to a Tsunami decoder? or does it need to be solderd up to the track power pickup wires on the decoders harness ?

Read, heed, and Proceed with Caution

Dear LMACK,

Read (all the way thru),
Heed,
and Proceed with Caution

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

CurrentKeeper with Tsunamis

The instructions included with CurrentKeepers clearly describe and illustrate the installations for the various versions of Tsunamis. For all Tsunami installations the connector will have to cut off of the CurrentKeeper and the wires soldered to the appropriate decoder harness wires or solder pads on the decoder.

Connection to a SoundCar decoder is plug and play.

Future?

As I expect it to be on future SoundTraxx decoders. The Tsunami is, however, about as old as XP was when Microsoft pulled the plug.

Instructions

Hi Ken,

Any chance of getting a copy of those instructions?

John

in Fort Erie

CurrentKeeper Instructions

John, I dug around the club today looking for the instructions, but I could not find a copy. I will continue to look, but in the meantime I emailed SoundTraxx and asked them to add the instructions to the Manuals page on their website. If I find a copy I will scan and email it to you.

"Fairly" Easy...

Current Keeper Installation

Jerry,

I just finished installing a Current Keeper in a Genesis GP-9 last week.  I had to cut the center portion of the cab interior away and remove a portion of the weight in the short hood.  I also had to cut away excess shrink wrap on the Current Keeper so it just fit in the short hood (slightly askew so as not to interfere with the headlights).  It was very tight, but it worked.  I'll upload some photos in a day or two since I have two more GP-9's to upgrade and I'll take a few progress shots. 

As many have pointed out, they do make a huge improvement overall.

Regards,

-Neil Schofield

One warning about the current keeper or keep alive.

One warning about the current keeper, keep alive or other large capacitors. If your engine derails, it will keep on going for 6 to 15 seconds. This could be an OK thing or run your engine off a high bridge.

I have been thinking of using the TCS keep alive KA1, which is a smaller capacitor and will power your engine for 2 to 5 seconds, just enough to get you over the dirty spots.

Also remember to disable DC mode, to prevent a run-away.

-Bill

Current Keeper Installation Instructions - Genesis GP-9

Genesis GP-9 Current Keeper Install

Jerry Hampton asked about making room for a SoundTraxx Current Keeper in a Genesis GP-9.  It just happened that I had finished installing one a few days prior.  Rather than tear apart the completed model I figured I’d jump ahead and finish a second one this evening.  I had quite a few problems with my Genesis GP-9’s stalling on my old layout so I was determined to get Current Keepers in them.  The running quality difference is amazing and well worth the effort.  Here’s a photo sequence of the steps I took to install the current keeper in the short hood.

Photo Step 1 – Genesis GP-9 with SoundTraxx Current Keeper ready to instal

Photo Step 2 – After removing the shell, work is ready to begin

Photo Step 3 – Start by cutting the bottom of the cab interior floor out

Photo Step 4 – Use a pair of snips to cut the end walls out of the cab interior to create a gap between the cab interior.

Photo Step 5 – Illustration showing the walls and floor removed creating a gap for the Current Keeper to sit upright in the short hood.

Photo Step 6 – Moving onto the frame, I unscrewed the weight from the frame’s short hood and disconnected the headlights and front truck leads

Photo Step 7 – Next I removed bottom weight from the short hood and set it up in a vice to remove a portion of the weight to allow the Current Keeper to fit in the short hood.  I used a hacksaw to cut the top portion flush off where shown by the arrow.

Photo Step 8 – After removing the top portion of the weight with the hack saw, the remaining bottom portion was reinstalled to provide a base supporting the Current Keeper

Photo Step 9 – In order to make the Current Keeper fit, the ends have to be cut flush making it as small as possible.

 Photo Step 10 – Time to warm up the soldering iron and solder the blue and black leads in place as shown in the photo.  The blue and black leads were soldered per a photo provided by SoundTraxx technical support

Photo Step 11 – Current Keeper wired and installed with electrical tape

Photo Step 12 – Overhead view of Current Keeper wired and installed with electrical tape.  Note the Current Keeper has to sit slightly askew in order for the headlights to still fit in place on the short hood.  Also note the small frame tab on the shell has to be cut back.

Photo 13 – Completed GP-9 back in service.

Current Keeper Instructions

SoundTraxx has added Current Keeper Instructions to their Technical Documents section of the Manuals page: http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/TechGuides.php.

See:

CurrentKeeper Installation Instructions for the TSU-1000

CurrentKeeper Installation Instructions for the TSU-750

CurrentKeeper Installation Instructions for the TSU-AT1000

Install diagram for Econami Decoder

Is there a wiring diagram for the Econami Decoder and the Current Keeper?

Installing CurrentKeeper in GP-9

neilrs23... thank you! I just successfully completed my first real DCC project... and it works!

One note: In Photo 7 you refer to cutting something to the arrow. I could not see any arrow. But, as it turns out, the unit I purchased (mid-2016) has that weight in two parts. I unscrewed the top part and the bottom seemed pretty close to what you had in the vice-- so I went with it. 

Again, thank you. Your photos were most helpful!

Allen

@Allen

Hey Allen,

I'm glad it helped.  I'm up to five Genesis GP-9's now with the current keepers and that should be it for me, but hopefully you'll enjoy uninterrupted operation now.

-Neil Schofield