I could not find the old thread I had, but I questioned why after I put the soundtraxx tsnuami into my shay(s), and climax, they began to get very cranky. Clean track helps, but not enough. I had been turned on to a thread where you insert capacitors in with the decoder, and the largest I can get in is like 300-400 range (whatevers). It does help to have the capacitors, but not enough. I do note that with the resistor inline it does take a few minutes to charge the capacitor, which it will not do unless the engine is moving slightly. After awhile, it is better, but still not enough. I also noted with one of the shays that putting extra weight on one side only (R) helped immensely, but not with the others. Is my only other solution using a sound system that has speakers in the layout? Thusly increasing my wiring immensely, which I am not really fond of. But, I have some very, very long hidden track sections where this stalling can happen, and I am mobility challenged enough that getting under the benchwork is a real PIA. I am totally open to suggestions, ideas, your fixes, alternatives. From my end, I prefer not to have to work under the layout, but if I am going to have to do a full sound system under it, I need to stop and get that done before I go any further. I would also need recommendations as to which ones are most recommended. Cpst is a factor OR do I need a different brand of sound decoder?
Jack, Try a larger capacitor. Like 2200 uf. The standard capacitor that comes with the Tsunami is 220 uf. The 2200 is 10 times more capacitor. Try this for some ideas on the Tsunami. http://litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/FaqTsunami.htm You should have room if this is a HO scale Shay. If you don't have room, use two or more capacitors wired in parallel. Some times you can fit 2 or 3 470 uf capacitors into a small space, as the 2200 takes lots of room. That would give you 940 or 1410 uf. The idea of using the diode and resistor with the capacitor is to limit inrush current, so your DCC system will not shut down. Here is a shot of where your decoder should be in your shay. http://litchfieldstation.com/DCC-University/install/HOSS/Bachmann-Shay-826020.htm Make sure you mount the Tsunami to the top of the tender with a good quality tape or use tub and tile caulking. You want the tender to be a heat sink for the Tsunami. They generate a lot of heat and are subject to thermal shut down if they get to hot.
Cool, except mine is On30, 2 truck shay, a kit bashed HO 3truck shay bashed to On30 without the third set of trucks and a Climax On30. I need to add more weight to all of them and even the micro tsnumai (the more expensive one) does not leave room for more than one 470. My only option would be a tender or dummy something that would always be attached, that would also have a benefit of pickup in an additional location so I can put on more of the snot stuff. I could put a 4000 in then (Bullfrog snot works, but does interfere with pickup if you do too many drivers, and one just isn't enough) The Climax does the best of them all including pull power.
Snotty Climax (Bullfrog snot works, but does interfere with pickup if you do too many drivers, and one just isn't enough) Once the BULLFROG SNOT is cured, trim it from the flanges. Get the wheels spinning and use a lathe action with an xacto knife. You'll get your grip and juice too. Bill
That doesn't sound right; it should charge in a few seconds or less. I'm not sure what circuit you're using but if the current has to get out through that resistor as well (when 'bridging' a bad contact patch) then it won't be able to put enough through to stop the decoder stalling. Even if it doesn't suffer that problem it means that once it has discharged to do a 'bridge' it probably won't have recharged by the time the next dead spot occurs, at which point the decoder will again run out of power.
The below link has a lot of stay alive info. http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm Anyone reading this message, store the link in the Favorites folder. Some brands of decoders are more susceptible to DCC interuptions. I know my two LokSound decoder equipped locos do not have this issue and both are eight wheel short wheel base locos. My Tsunami do have this issue and really need clean track, clean wheels and clean wheel pickups. Rich
Yep, that is the setup I used. After things warm up it seems to get better. ????? Things going to have to wait, I am on doctors orders to sit on my buns until I get a procedure done on Monday. Not even play trains :thumbs_down:
