Adding Caps/Keep-Alive to Atlas N Scale "Gold" S2?

[tehachapifan]

Anyone figure out where to attach to the stock sound decoder to add caps or a keep-alive? Mine is from the first run and out of all my sound locos, this one is the most prone to hiccups and dropouts.

[peteski]

Anyone figure out where to attach to the stock sound decoder to add caps or a keep-alive? Mine is from the first run and out of all my sound locos, this one is the most prone to hiccups and dropouts.

It is on my list to document.  I have to dig out my S2 and look at its decoder.

[Cajonpassfan]

Oh please do, there's other people waiting
Otto

[peteski]

@tehachapifan
Russ, I tried to PM you asking a technical question related to this, but it appears that you have PMs disabled.

[peteski]

@tehachapifan
Russ, any chance you can take some voltage and connectivity measurements on your decoder?  I asked Otto, but he is unable to do this at the moment.  I can't PM you with the details. Otherwise we're not going anywhere with this.

Or if any other owner of this model is willing to take the shell off and (assuming they have a multimeter) take some measurements on your decoder?  PM me if willing and able.

[tehachapifan]

I don't know what is going on with my PM's but I was out-of-town for most of the week and was not really checking TRW much.

As far as taking readings on the decoder, I could try to do that at some point, but I would need to be walked through step by step something like that.

I can turn the multimeter on but that's about it!

[peteski]

Russ, I tried to PM you again and again I got "User 'tehachapifan' has blocked your personal message.".  You also do not have the email option in your profile enabled, so I can't email you either.  Could you PM me with your email address?  I could then email you the detailed procedure.

[tehachapifan]

I sent you a PM. Let me know if it came thru and I'll see if your reply comes thru.

As far as blocking or unblocking someone, I don't even see where you would do that.

[Jim Starbuck]

I have a first run and could take measurements. What are you needing?

Jim

[peteski]

I sent you a PM. Let me know if it came thru and I'll see if your reply comes thru.

As far as blocking or unblocking someone, I don't even see where you would do that.

That is just a default message that shows up when PMs are blocked (either all, or per-member).
I received your PM but I still get blocked when I reply to it.
The way you access various parts of your forum profile are not very intuitive.  To see the PM blocking status click on the "Profile" button on the upper left of any page.
Then, hover the "Summary" bar, there are "Profile Info", "Modify Info" and "Action" button. Hover over the "Modify" button, and in the menu that pops down select "Personal Messaging". Then the next page is self-explanatory.  You must have some restricted settings on PMs.
Let me know once you enable receiving PMs.

Mine is set to "All members, except for those on my ignore list". I don't recall if I set it that way or if that is the default setting.  If yours is like that then you must have me on your ignore list.   

[peteski]

I have a first run and could take measurements. What are you needing?

Jim

Thanks Jim. PM sent.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, I took the shell off my S2 Gold today to take measurements and to see whether there was room for the Iowa Scaled Powerkeeper in there and maybe some more weight. I bought this unit used relatively cheaply, and now I know why. It's the worst performer of the four I own. I don't know which release this was; the Item No. is 40 000 728 in Santa Fe Blue and yellow scheme. If I can get it running well, it will get repainted into the original black.

Back on topic: there's quite a bit of air below the board over both trucks, especially just ahead of the cab. Unfortunately , the width of the the metal shell opening there is almost 1mm too narrow and I'm not sure there's a way to thin the shell or narrow the Powerkeeper. There maybe room for a couple of the tantalum caps I've been using in tight spaces, see pics, but that's not a lot of capacitance.

As to weight, it's tight. I've looked at the underbody with the notion of sacrificing a bit of prototype fidelity for more mass. There is space between the trucks and behind the steps? Thoughts?

That's all for now,
Otto K.

[Jim Starbuck]

Otto,

A TCS KA-N1 fits nicely under the decoder above the rear worm. When I get home from work this week I’m going to get more information to Peteski so he can determine where to make the connections.
Stay tuned.

Jim

[tehachapifan]

Thanks for the info, guys!

Watching with great anticipation!

[peteski]

Watching with great anticipation!

Russ, I explained in my earlier post how to make sure you can receive PMs.  If you are still willing to assist me, then allow me to PM you.  I will not post the requested info until I make sure I have the decoder figured out. Mine seems to have a defect, so I would like few others check their decoders.