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Reply to "Atlas O MP15 with ESU Loksound Select L sound decoder upgrade"

Scott Kay posted:
Hudson J1e posted:

RDUNNIII, yeah I agree with you. Tiny solder pads are no fun. 

<..snip..>

Bill or anyone else, have you guys tried the ESU Power Pack Maxi? I was just wondering if it was worth the added expense. 

Hi Hudson J1e,

I used the smaller ESU Power Pack on this install as I stated in my original email but this new Power Pack Maxi for the larger scales looks very interesting, indeed.  It says the Power Pack Maxi has 5 Farads of capacitance .  It will be interesting to see what the price ends up being.  I have been finding that for really good reliable backup power on other O Scale sound decoder installations on dual motor drivers, I've needed to install three TCS KA2s in parallel and this still only gives about 1.8 Farads of capacitance vs. the 5 Farads on the Maxi.  I have not seen any prices yet (the ESU web site says expected delivery for the Power Pack Maxi is 2Q/2016), but even if it comes in at around $75, I can still see justification. To me, these super capacitors in itself , have created a mini revolution in model railroading by negating the need for keeping track absolutely spotless and all frogs be powered to have uninterrupted operating performance.  The downside is if you look at the prices of these Keep Alive components (even the KA2s), the manufacturers are generously marking them up.  ESU justifies some of that markup with the on board chips to stop the charging process when in programming mode or to adjust buffer times, which are foo-foo features that a programming track booster, like the DCC Specialties Power Pax and the Soundtraxx PTB will work around.  In any event these little gadgets do really improve the "quality of life" when running trains with DCC.   Hopefully in time these backup power modules will come down in price like the decoders have done but for the early adopters, it still hurts a little in the backside pocket on each installation .

Scott K.

Austin, TX 

I absolutely agree Scott. The capacitors are a game changer. To me it's worth the extra expense to get it done right the first time. I have never regretted installing as much capacitance as I could fit, but I have regretted not doing it.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
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