DCC Zimo SC68 Stay Alive pack

I’ve bought a couple of these to try:



Note the physical size – they are tiny!

With 6800μF they apparently give about 1 ½ seconds using a Zimo MX645.

I’ll let you know……

Tim

That's very interesting... I do need something for a couple of my engines..

Do they have a larger pack for an extended length of dead time?

JB.

Hi JB

They do these for the larger decoders( MX695 etc)





I have used a GOLMLANG in a Heljan Hymek, and a GOLMRUND in my JLTRT Class37, and when the locos are lifted from the track, the sounds continue for 5 secs or more. I've also tested then by running over an A4 sheet of paper, without interruption..

Beware though - I believe they are not to be used with small decoders (eg MX645 etc).

HTH

Tim

Thanks for that Tim.. I have a few of each of the smaller and larger decoders..

JB.

If you are prepared to build your own 'stay alive' power packs using the diagrams in the Zimo manual then all the parts are available from Maplins. Here's one I built several years ago for a Zimo MX64 decoder for soldering onto the SUSI pads.



David

Anyone know which model Zimo chip this is in the Lionheart Pannier and to which terminals a suitable stay-alive should be connected?

A quick look at the Zimo manual suggests a MX644C or D, which means pin 16 (+) and pin 17 (-) are for the caps. Maybe check if these pins go anywhere on the loco breakout board?

Thanks for the info Jon - much appreciated.

I phoned Digitrains of Lincoln earlier today because I bought my Powercab from them a couple of years back at the Telford show and whilst nattering I emailed him the same photo of the chip and he immediately said it's an MX644D so a pre-made stay-alive unit's on its way. I didn't realise the chip's only the smaller oblong unit attached to the board beneath - just proves my lack of electrickery knowledge.

He said I could make one myself more cheaply by buying the bits from Maplins but when I explained my electrical knowledge was somewhat minimal, he said the already made one, although more expensive, would probably be a wiser route to go.
He did stress the need to connect the two wires the right way round as getting it wrong would leave me with a cooked chip and I doubt he was referring to the food variety . . .

Cheers,
Martyn

No problem Martyn

I assume the Zimo caps will come with decent instructions (the germans are good with that stuff bless em) but just in case:



Looks like a couple of solder pads on the "bottom" of the decoder.

Thanks again for the illustration. Seems likely they are, although the 'Gray' dotted line's not linking directly to the bottom one as the 'Blue' is above?