I recently bought some 1A / 2A decoders. I ordered regular 2 function decoders but when they arrived they are also wired to connect stay / keep alives. It's good that they have this option but I didn't plan on adding the capacitors in. Do I have to add a keep alive or can decoders like this run without it ? If I don't add the keep alive do I have to connect the wires for the keep alive together ?
Do you have a link to what you bought? Probably would be useful. My guess would be 'No' don't connect the wires. A keep alive is wired to the ground and normally the blue (common positive) wire. Wiring those together would create a short. Still it would be best if we could see the manual/instructions for the decoder you are using. Sumner
the wires for the keep alive should be insulated from each other, and no, they do not have to get hooked up
The decoder is a Lais DCC , there is an online link which looses a bit in translation. One of the wiring diagrams is written in Dutch ..... I have no idea why ! https://laisdcc.com/LaisDcc_Decoders_Manual_V2.pdf I guess when Lais or any other manufacturer sell a DCC card set up for a keep alive they assume one will be fitted.
I will trim one to a different length, insulate both separately and put some heat shrink on the whole thing.
Sounds like you are good to go. Wondering did you just get the decoder? Which one is it? I got some a couple years ago (#860010 N Scale) but for the last year or more can't find them, only what they are advertising for HO. They were $12 at the time and I don't have much time on the loco I put one in but it ran fine and wouldn't mind picking up some more. Sumner
I got Lais DCC decoders from Buckambool model Trains, the owner is Jarryd Langford. Don't forget we're in Australia but I think he will ship to the USA. Web site is. https://bmodeltrains.com Contact page is. https://bmodeltrains.com/contact-us/ Decoder page is. https://bmodeltrains.com/product-category/budget-decoders/ I think the 860010 decoders are redundant but you better check with Jarryd. I purchased the 870012 when it had just come out and I wasn't aware that it would have keep alive functionality. The 870012's have double the amps of the 860010's. 870012's are about US$22.00 currently. By comparison a TCS Z2 costs us US$71 with postage. They are out of stock but he does seem to get new stock frequently. I want to buy some too. https://bmodeltrains.com/product/laisdcc-870012/ I put a Lais 860010 in my ConCor Turbine and it runs well. The only odd thing was it copied some weird settings from a TCS Z2 which I removed from the loco. The only clue I have is that Decoder Pro copied settings from the Z2 to the 860010 and the only link was the loco number. The 860010 happily accepted reprogramming to sensible settings.
........... then I found this https://laisdcc.com/decoders/ I have to keep remembering their name is LaisDcc ....... spell correct keeps trying to write laid CC .............. ?????????
Thanks for the info and links. I couldn't find the 870012 on AliExpress but did find the followig: Lais Decoders on AliExpress (HERE) The first two will need a wide body): 860014 -- .708” x .472” x .118” (18mm x 12 x 3) 9 wires – 4 Functions – $14.61 860021 -- .708” x .472” x .118” (18mm x 12 x 3) Wires going to 8 Pin (cut 8 Pin off) – 4 Functions – $15.59 The next one might work in a 'narrow hood' N Scale loco: 870015 – ,590” x ,374” x .114” (15mm x 9.5 x 2.9) Uses a Next18 Interface – 6 Functions -- $18.12 This adapter will work with the 870015 decoder: 860031 Next18 Adapter $4.23. I might put an order in for 2-860012's, 2-870015's and two of the Next18 adapters, Sumner
