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The NEW home for the "OLD" Tutorials Tip & Tricks

Tutorials, Tips & Tricks -->>

Tutorials, Tips & Tricks -->>

 
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Email sales@sbs4dcc.com or call 317-201-4974 to discuss your project today!

 

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Streamlined Backshop Services is an authorized dealer for all major DCC manufacturers including:

 

CT Elektronik

DCC Specialties

Digitrax

ESU-Electronic Solutions

Lenz USA

MRC Corporation

NCE Corporation

QSI Solutions

Soundtraxx

SPROG USA

TCS-Train Control Systems

Zimo USA

 

Be sure to contact us if you don't find what you are looking for.  We can ship most items in 5-7 business days.

 

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Be sure to visit our store,Streamlined Backshop Services, where you can purchase many great items like DCC Decoders and Command Stations, DCC Installation Parts, Locomotives and Rolling Stock, Ready-To-Run Sound Cars, and our exclusive custom-engineered truck pick-ups.


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Be sure to visit our friends at www.hoseeker.netwhere you can find parts lists and diagrams of all your vintage and contemporary locomotives.

 

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MRC "Stay-Alive" Installation
 

By now many folks have discovered the value of adding a keep-alive device like the TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules to you locomotive fleet.


I like to think of these devices as big Band-Aids for poor electrical continuity or a UPS Battery Backup System for a personal computer.


The product simply hides the imperfections in our track and wiring.  They should never be a substitute for proper locomotive maintenance or track cleaning.


Having said that, I cannot deny their usefulness and strongly recommend their implementation in any install where they will fit.


I HATE TRAINS THAT DON'T RUN.  Period.


Products like the TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules can all but eliminate this problem.


This page is offered to provide the correct points for connecting the TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules  to MRC decoders.

The Disclaimer
The TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules can be used with any brand of decoder if connected properly.

Connecting a TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules may involve removing the protective shrink wrap from the decoder which may void the Manufacturers warranty.

Connecting a TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules may involve soldering directly to components on the decoder which may damage or compromise the decoder if not done properly.
 
Connection Diagrams
 
The TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules  has a two-wire harness that extends from one end.  

In all instances, the blue wire from the TCS KA series Keep-Alive devices, SoundTraxx Current Keeper, or NCE No-Halt Insurance Modules  will connect to the DC Positive, usually the blue wire on any decoder, and the black wire will connect to the Ground or DC Negative.
 
As MRC explains the point of connection for their product, simply locate the diode bridge, a grouping of four diodes arranged as shown, on their boards and note the orientation of the bands.

The positive wire of KA device will connect to the PLUS and the negative wire of the KA device will connect to the MINUS.

Image courtesy of MRC Tech Support

It is important to note these instructions would work with any decoder from any manufacturer.  All decoders use a diode bridge to rectify the square wave DCC signal to rectified DC to power the motor and function outputs.

 

 

You can purchase all of the great NCE products today from my online store

 

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