The CurrentKeeper will provide power to the decoder for up to10 seconds, avoiding interruptions from dead spots or interrupted DCC signals ranging from a variety of issues while running trains.
This is a capacitor bank plain and simple. A capacitor acts as a battery. When there is a current break it will supply power for a limited time (depending on the amount of capacitance). I have several of these in different locomotives. Luckily, all of them were placed in locomotives that have either the PNP Econami or Tsunami2 decoders in them (they have a built-in plug). I removed the current keeper from its package, plugged it in, done, and all the hesitation problems with the locomotives disappeared, that simple!! If you want to put one of these in a locomotive that is not equipped with the necessary plug there is a small amount of additional work involved (instructions included), nothing difficult at all (as long as the decoder is a Tsunami!!). I say this because the instructions are specific to Tsunami decoders. I know for a fact that some decoder manufacturers give instructions on installing a current keeper on their boards (TCS comes immediately to mind but it may be their current keeper, sorry don't remember). If your board is not Tsunami RESEARCH FIRST!!
Great product to prevent power glitches on dirty track or through crossovers or switches. Smaller size fits inside locomotives that may not have room for the original Current Keeper. I installed this new CKII unit in an Athearn Genesis ES44DC in place of the cab interior which was a good tradeoff. This locomotive has the O.E. Tsunami2 decoder which came factory equipped with the proper receptacle allowing the Current Keeper to be a plug-and-play installation.
It is easy to install, comes with diagrams for different decoders. Works well, would recommend for anyone who has trouble with there Locomotive making across turnouts or has dirty track in spots.
Great product that makes almost any track DCC friendly.
The Currentkeeper makes up for minor problems that make especially older tracks very DCC unfriendly. An older loco on my layout that would stop or hesitate on places that might have a break in the current now runs great thanks to the Currentkeeper and its array of capacitors. Great product.
If you are into Soundtraxx decoders with sound and you want reliable, rock solid performance add this CurrentKeeper to your Econami or Tsunami. If you have dirty track, spotty power or isolated frogs add this device.
This is the larger of two choices from Soundtraxx. It is fitted with a mini plug to connect it to the decoder board without needing to solder it. Some track work and switches have a “dead” spot, and this feature keeps the locomotive rolling along without hesitation.
Since methods of hooking up a current keeper vary greatly due to the possible variety of locos and decoders this requires much support from the company. Emailing them proved very helpful as they respond very quickly. Current Keepers have proven to be a miracle when installed correctly in balky locos.
the mating of the keep alive 810140 actually plugs right into the Tsunami 2... no trying to figure out where what wires to cut or anything else. just plug and play. I turned on my engine, turned off the power and it operated for about 15 seconds. Wow, what an improvement. thanks. Jerry Wilson
Good product. Make sure you have good soldering skills if it's not an exact for your loco.
Exactly as advertised, and although not specifically for the brand of loco I was upgrading, I was able to find instructions online easily and the installation was done easily.
These are easy to install and maintain power for up to 10 seconds which is more than ample for dirty, defective track and points, but the best thing is you don't lose the decoder when you have a short break in power, she just keeps on going, no restart, loss of sound or flicker. I have all three brands of the Current, power, whatever you want to call them and recommend them especially when you run on other than your own layout.