RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion

Keep Alive installation w/ Railpro

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KPack:
This information is from Rob Cooper, a fellow Railpro user who had me install RP modules is most of his fleet.  The installs all went well, but the switchers would stall on yard ladders excessively.  Rob had a friend who is very familiar with electronics come and figure out how to install a TCS KeepAlive (KA).  At first they popped the cover on several modules and found two solder points on the internal bridge rectifier.  In the end they found it easier to install an external bridge rectifier.

Reports are that all stalling has ceased and locomotives run buttery smooth through all turnouts.

The screwdriver marks the location of the bridge rectifier:


Note the size of the bridge rectifier and the KA.  This in a Bachmann RS3 for reference.


Schematic:


The bridge rectifier used here:
http://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=DF04SCT
At about 40 cents per rectifier, these seem to be a good option.  I'll be ordering at least ten, as well some more tablet speakers for sound installs.

The only question I have, and I'll see if Rob has the answer, is did they just install the bridge rectifier on the red and black track power wires.  I assume we just arbitrarily assign one of the wires to be positive and the other negative after the bridge rectifier....black for negative and red for positive for convenience.  Am I correct in this assumption?

SWA737:
 It does not matter to the bridge rectifier which track wire comes to  which side of the rectifier. It reconciles if you will the polarity internally.  I just ordered 10 more keep alive circuits to continue converting my engine roster. Looking forward to having them all completed. If anyone is having issues with this, I highly recommend this ad on. It makes a huge difference
Rob

Alan:
Track connection is arbitrary on the input side of a bridge rectifier as it is designed to accept an AC signal. The input leads will be labeled with an AC wave symbol. The output side of a bridge rectifier is polarized. Marked with + and -

eBay is great for buying these. $0.10 each or less if you don't mind a 30 day wait from China.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-2W10-2A-Bridge-Diode-Rectifier-NEW-/401167556726?hash=item5d67732076:g:XEcAAOSwU-pXqO95

SWA737:
 You are correct Alan. The ones I have do have the sign waves on that side of the rectifier and  it does not matter which wire goes to which. Thanks, Rob

SWA737:
 One question I do have and maybe you can answer it Allen? My track voltage is 14.4 V and when I measure the voltage coming off of the bridge rectifier, it is down to 12.5 V. Is that amount of voltage OK for the rail pro decoder?
Rob

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