ESU Loksound XL V3.2/V3.5....'keep alive'?

[beavercreek]

I have a few of the newer Loksound XL V4.0 decoders which have 'keep alive' built in but I also have quite a few of the older V3.2 and V3.5 XL which do not.
Is there a way of attaching a 'keep alive' module (backup capacitor) to the V3.2/3.5 decoder?
Has anyone actually done this?

This would eradicate the sound drops, light flickers and any motion problems due to any small track imperfections.

Please don't tell me to fix my track ;-)

 

[Cliff George]

Well Mike I asked this very question on the ESU forum and direct to customer service.

Apparently it can't be done, but I bet it can if you know how. Unfortunately I don't know how!

Customer service advised me to replace all of my V3.5s with V4.0s, which I didn't find helpful!

I have three V3.5s, one each in Thomas, Percy and James. I fitted the troublesome trucks with power pick up wheels and fed in the extra power, that seems to solve the problem.

The lack of a power buffer makes these engines prime candidates for the battery conversion via the Tam Valley dead rail treatment.

 

[beavercreek]

Hi Cliff
Yes, I have sent a message to ESU but, by the reply you received, it seems that tyhey are not interested in helping user to `upgrade` the older decoders.
This is a shame as some other manufacturers have either produced their own `keep alive` modules or shown how a scratch-built one can be attached.

There is an explanation on the web of how non-XL Loksound decoder can have a `keep alive` module attached. It needs a bit of soldering but it is possible. So presumably it should be possible on the larger scale XL version......

Loksound (non-XL version) keep alive demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUKlg577ptc

details on a range if smaller scale decoders and `keep alive` modules:
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm

photo of the Loksound (non XL version) `hack` to attach `keep alive` solution:
(The blue and black wire from left of decoder)..the two other black wires are for a hall sensor