Keep Alive on ESU Select Direct?

[nebrzephyr]

Anybody add either a TCS or Soundtraxx keep alive module to the ESU select Direct? In looking at the ESU manual not sure as it basically shows using the ESU version. If you can add a non ESU keep alive where would it attach to the board - main board or the micro module?

Thanks. Bob

[atsfgp7u]

The decoder unclips from the board as you mentioned.
The keep alive attaches to the decoder.
Two wire keep-alives connect where the 'U+' and 'ground' wires for the Loksound keep alive attach (ignore the Charge connection).
You may have problems reading and/or writing to ANY decoder once you install a keep-alive. Adding a switch or connector to one lead from the keep-alive allows you to temporarily disconnect the keep-alive while programming (a 2 pin plug is fine, disconnecting both leads if that's easier)
Hope this helps
cheers
Dave

[edwardsutorik]

Sept 3, 2017 17:19:19 GMT -8 atsfgp7u said:

You may have problems reading and/or writing to ANY decoder once you install a keep-alive. Adding a switch or connector to one lead from the keep-alive allows you to temporarily disconnect the keep-alive while programming (a 2 pin plug is fine, disconnecting both leads if that's easier)

I found when I added a two-wire Digitrax "keep-alive" to their sound decoder that I couldn't use the program track. But I could program on the main, but not read. This meant writing down every new entry. Since I know how to write, it wasn't much of a problem.

I expect this is true on any two-wire "keep-alive" installation.




Ed

[kentuckysouthernrwy]

I have done several using TCS and one with a soundtraxx, the TCS units are a bit smaller and easier to fit once installed. I like the KA-4 the '4 pak of beer' shaped one, the best.

One wire, goes to the blue common where it connects to the board, or close to it. That goes in the BLUE line.

Use the diagram that shows the Capacitor and resistor in the ESU manual on keep alives (Page 17). Mine were all done using the Select MICRO decoders, no experience with the larger Select or the other ESU decoder.

I agree with Ed, so I also put a tiny on-off slide switch in the one I put in my Walther's 'new run' SW-1, it programs better with that, disconnect the KAL unit while programing. IF you can shoehorn all that inside what you're working on.

[nebrzephyr]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Bob

[edwardsutorik]

A more detail description of the installation I mentioned earlier.

First, it's Soundtraxx, not Digitrax. Can't imagine how I could confuse the two: one has two "x"'s, and the other has one.

Anyway, I had lotsa room inside. So I could/can add a switch. But the model was done and buttoned up. My enthusiasm for taking the model all apart and adding a switch was being kind of low. I had been working on this long and hard, and I wanted it done and running.

So, instead, I did programming-on-the-main. Remember, you can't read on the main, only program. Well, I put in a value for CV 29. And wrote it down. I entered the four digit address. And wrote it down. Then I ran it, and IT WORKED!!! Except. It ran way too fast. So I did a custom speed curve. And wrote ALL of it down. Lastly, my decoder came set for a chime air horn. And on the roof is a single. So I looked on the Soundtraxx list for something that looked promising. I changed that CV, too; and it was perfect.

My point of going on and on with the details is that you CAN program on the main. IF you don't install that switch. As it is, I seriously doubt I'll add a switch to THIS model, 'cause I believe it's just fine as programmed.

And, should you wonder why I didn't use ESU (which I woulda), it's because Soundtraxx had the engine sound I needed and ESU didn't.

I DID use a full ESU sound system on my next loco (with "keep-alive"). And, of course, it will read/write on the program track. Not too thrilled how they do their custom speed table, but that's another ball of wax.


Ed

[paulcoats]

The answers given to the OP so far are not helpful. There are several "Direct Select" decoders and they are all quite different. I have a decoder here I am working on for a friend and cannot find documentation on it. There are no obvious points to attach the Keep Alive, unlike other brands where + and - or + and Gnd, or other markings clearly visible. There are no pads on this ESU marked U+ or Gnd, same as with other ESU decoders I have attempted to work on. Nor have I found a diagram of this particular ESU decoder with the correct pads marked.

With ESU, there are two specific CV's that need to be set, one to enable the KA to work, the other adjusting the time.

CV315 needs to be set to a value of 0 in order to enable the Keep Alive.

Set these values on the program track first. Then, after installing the Keep Alive, any other programming you do, let the loco sit on the track and charge for 2 minutes before trying to program it. I used a Soundtrax program booster between the program track output on my NCE PowerPro and the program track.

CV113 determines time. A value of 0 is no Keep Alive function. A value of 255 is maximum, 4 seconds. And values in
between are times in between. 128 would be about 2 seconds, etc.

[jonklein611]

Dec 5, 2019 11:37:58 GMT -8 paulcoats said:

The answers given to the OP so far are not helpful. There are several "Direct Select" decoders and they are all quite different. I have a decoder here I am working on for a friend and cannot find documentation on it. There are no obvious points to attach the Keep Alive, unlike other brands where + and - or + and Gnd, or other markings clearly visible. There are no pads on this ESU marked U+ or Gnd, same as with other ESU decoders I have attempted to work on. Nor have I found a diagram of this particular ESU decoder with the correct pads marked.

With ESU, there are two specific CV's that need to be set, one to enable the KA to work, the other adjusting the time.

CV315 needs to be set to a value of 0 in order to enable the Keep Alive.

Set these values on the program track first. Then, after installing the Keep Alive, any other programming you do, let the loco sit on the track and charge for 2 minutes before trying to program it. I used a Soundtrax program booster between the program track output on my NCE PowerPro and the program track.

CV113 determines time. A value of 0 is no Keep Alive function. A value of 255 is maximum, 4 seconds. And values in
between are times in between. 128 would be about 2 seconds, etc.

Any other information you can provide on the decoder?  N? HO? V4? V5?

[Mark R.]

Dec 5, 2019 11:37:58 GMT -8 paulcoats said:

.... There are several "Direct Select" decoders and they are all quite different. ....

No, there is only one Select Direct decoder. It is the Atlas style board with a Select Micro decoder attached to the top via Next18 plug. The latest version of the Atlas style board is the Loksound 5 Direct (the Select series of decoders are now obsolete).

Mark.