As my layout progresses from the benchwork to actual track phase, the first area down and operational will be a yard.  I need to jump in and get a yard engine up to operational speed, the P2000 S1.  I aim to use the LM-3S-21 coupled to a Nix Trainz Decoder Buddy Mini, Power Bridge lll Stay Alive and a sugar cube speaker as well as LED front / rear lights.  1964 so no ditch lights thank goodness.  I would appreciate any advice or tips from anyone who has shoehorned all the needed elements for control and sound into the same tight confines of this particular model.  Thanks.

Here is a 9 to 21 adapter, not sure why it's called "European", for $12 .... maybe worth a shot ?

Just google 9 pin to 21 pin dcc adapter ....

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Hey all,

I use the Decoder Buddy with RailPro LM-3S-21. Yes, you can use a Keep-Alive with the pins on the Decoder Buddy. RailPro's own works but I have also been making my own keep-alives for much cheaper and they last longer.

Rob S.

I was talking with Nick of Nix Trainz at the recent St. Louis RPM meet and he told me that his "Decoder Buddy" board would work with a RailPro module.  I'm just getting my feet wet with RP, but his boards have a 21 pin receptacle and I believe the modules are a 9 pin.  So, how can this be true per him?  Has anyone been able to make these work together in some manner?  I also inquired about his "Stay Alive" capacitors and he said he had never tried it, but he did use another brand stay alive with a RailPro module once and it worked.  So, give it a try and see is all he had on that. 

Any thoughts from the group will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks. Jeff Youst

Not to disparage RP, but clearly the amp rating is not average, but peaks.

Try the power resistor as suggested... 1/2 ohm should do it, if not 1 ohm.

It will lower the top speed of the loco a tiny bit, but will most likely work.

Get the ones in the extruded aluminum body, and bolt down to some metal to dissipate the heat.