Atlas S2 with caps!

[GM50 4164]

I'm just curious as to find out if anyone has added some caps to this ESU decoder that comes with the Atlas S2.  There's plenty of room above the worms for a couple of poly caps but is there a way to add them to the board itself?

[lajmdlr]

That loco doesn't look at all like an ALCO S-2. ~}

[mu26aeh]

Nah, that's his signature photo

I'm following, because I have an S2 for Bittinger.  And I have your address to send it when you find out how

[tehachapifan]

I'm interested in this too, though I've never found it necessary to install caps in any of my other sound locos...including switchers. For some reason, however, my S2 has occasional hiccups.

[EL3632]

I'm interested in this too, though I've never found it necessary to install caps in any of my other sound locos...including switchers. For some reason, however, my S2 has occasional hiccups.

This sounds really silly, but did you clean it up? These came very overlubed from the factory, and wheel cleaning was a necessity, but cleaning the axle point pickups is not a bad idea either.

[tehachapifan]

It's not a cleaning issue. Will still do it even after a fresh cleaning of everything...except the wheel cups, which appear to be a huge operation to get to in this model with the soldered pickup wires to the trucks. All the more reason the add caps, I suppose. Which, again, I don't otherwise ever do ( no added caps in any of my several sound installs).

[wvgca]

I -assume- that you are talking about supercaps that will be hooked into the decoder board [ not for EMI suppression, but for power] ...  you get more information if you search with the actual decoder model number ..

[tehachapifan]

...  you get more information if you search with the actual decoder model number ..

It is my understanding that the S2 decoder board is a unique board built specifically for that model (so far, anyway). Yes, it is an ESU board, but it doesn't look very much like any of their other boards and I haven't seen any supplemental documentation specific to that particular board (not that it doesn't exist). I'm certainly no expert on adding caps and I sure wouldn't want to try to guess where one might.

[GM50 4164]

It's not a cleaning issue. Will still do it even after a fresh cleaning of everything...except the wheel cups, which appear to be a huge operation to get to in this model with the soldered pickup wires to the trucks. All the more reason the add caps, I suppose. Which, again, I don't otherwise ever do ( no added caps in any of my several sound installs).

It is fun to get to the axle cups as the wires are soldered to the wipers themselves. I just left the trucks still attached to the chassis and removed the bottom truck cover. A lot of debris was removed here. While everything was removed I took the time to lube other areas as well.  It runs much much better now but I'm still looking for possibilities. I know this board was made specifically for this engine so I'm not expecting much.

[jdcolombo]

Instead of caps, you might try using the extra space for lead weight.  That's what I did with mine.  I used some 1/16" sheet lead, put kapton tape around it to insulate it, then taped it to the decoder board wherever there was empty space (mostly between the board and flywheels).  This added considerable weight to the engine, and now the engine runs basically flawlessly - at least, if the track and wheels are reasonably clean.

Keep alives are great, but don't underestimate the improvement in electrical conductivity that comes with weight. 

John C.

[wvgca]

weights are easier [and quicker] to try then capacitors ..

[Cajonpassfan]

...
Keep alives are great, but don't underestimate the improvement in electrical conductivity that comes with weight. 

John C.

This!
Otto K.

[Bill H]

Instead of caps, you might try using the extra space for lead weight.  That's what I did with mine.  I used some 1/16" sheet lead, put kapton tape around it to insulate it, then taped it to the decoder board wherever there was empty space (mostly between the board and flywheels).  This added considerable weight to the engine, and now the engine runs basically flawlessly - at least, if the track and wheels are reasonably clean.

Keep alives are great, but don't underestimate the improvement in electrical conductivity that comes with weight. 

John C.

Nah, that is just John throwing his weight around again... Or as my fellow operations buddy once remarked, that blue pill makes for a great keep alive... Just a bit of thread warp for fun...