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Other countries, inc EU, prices shown are ex VAT.
UK based
KASTENLOK INDEX
Digital & Electronics
Prices for UK customers are shown inc 20% VAT
Other countries, inc EU, prices shown are ex VAT.
UK based
KASTENLOK INDEX
Digital & Electronics
Powerpack or Stayalive Energy buffer
A Powerpack or Stayalive is the solution for DCC to avoid running and sound interruption while driving your model. Once the power on the track is switched on, the supercapacitors of the powerpack/stayalive start charging. When the locomotive experiences power loss, because of dirt on the track or on a frog of a point (switch), the stayalive kicks in and assures the loco will continue for a few seconds. Let’s look at the difference of the two, as they are often seen as similar. It doesn’t help that Train-O-Matic made their stayalive part of their Smart Power Pack series. Here are the differences:
Powerpack
- Train-O-Matic SPP and SPP-N are Powerpacks, as well as ESU Powerpack and Lenz Gold/USP. They fully charge in a few seconds.
- Are only compatible with Powerpack suitable decoders. Like all Train-O-Matic and ESU v4/v5 decoders and Lenz Gold.
- Has 3 cables. One is a data cable, through which the powerpack is switched off when CVs are being programmed.
- The length of the extra power can be programmed
- Extra power is about 10 seconds*
- One large supercapacitor
Stayalive
- The Nano and Zimo STACO take about 30 seconds (2x0.3F supercaps) to fully charge. The 2x1F supercaps take 80 seconds to charge.
- Compatible with practically all decoders.
- Extra power is between 3 and 6 seconds (2x0.3F supercaps) and up to 35 seconds (2x1F supercaps). *
- Much smaller than a Powerpack
- Two or three small supercaps in series
Which one to choose?
It all depends on the space. If you got space for it (and the compatible decoder, like any Train-O-Matic decoder), always choose the Powerpack because of its fast charging and superior back up power. For TT, 009, H0e, N and Z gauge, it will often be a Stayalive, because of the lack of space. The 3-6 seconds of extra power will be enough to get the loco over problem areas.
*The effective time depends on the power used by the locomotive, like motor, lights, sound.
Smart Power Pack (SPP) Energy buffer
by Train-O-Matic
The Train-O-Matic very affordable Smart Power Packs come with a supercapacitor, giving you several seconds of extra power to keep on running on dirty tracks. These only work for DCC, not analog.
There are three version:
SPP - Supercapacitor is fitted on top of board
SPP-N - A smaller supercapacitor is fitted behind the board.
SPP Nano - The tiniest powerpack, great for N and Z gauge models.
The SPP and SPP N connect to all Train-O-Matic decoders, ESU decoders with connection for a PowerPack, Lenz Gold with USP connection and any decoder supporting the three wire connection for an energy buffer.
The SPP Nano connects to practically all DCC decoders. With two wires connected to the plus and minus of the decoder.
For instructions, follow the manual of your decoder.
SPP
Size: ca 21 x 10 x 13.5 mm
Size Supercapacitor: 8.2 x 12 mm
SPP-N
Size (inc. supercaps): ca 33 x 9.4 x 6.5 mm
Size Supercapacitor: 6.5 x 11.8 mm
SPP Nano Stayalive
Size (inc. 2 supercaps): 12.7 x 6 x 2.55 mm
Size each Supercapacitor: 4 x 12 mm (0.3F) or
6.5 x 9.5 mm (1F)
Estimate power with sound equipped model:
2x 0.3 mF: 5-7 seconds
2x 1 F: 35 seconds
Smart Power Pack (SPP)
SPP Powerpack with ESU Lokpilot/Loksound v4 + v5
The Train-O-Matic SPP’s are fully compatible with ESU decoders. You’ll need to change some CV settings, which are not in the ESU manual. You can read them by clicking here.
NEW
Smart Power Pack (SPP) Nano Stayalive
This one is straightforward to use and works with practically any decoder. Just connect the red wire to the plus and the black wire to minus (GND) of the decoder. For the Hornby HM7000, just plug it in. And solder the capacitors to the SPP Nano board.
Individual supercapacitors are available further on this page.
Wow, that went fast. New stock expected mid August 2024.
Pre-order here to make sure you don’t miss out again.
Stayalive with Next18 socket
STACO2A
Solder wires to model and plug in any Next18 decoder, for stutter free performance.
- Size: 14 x 10.4 x 1.9 mm
- 13 wires
-With 2 Nano GoldCaps 0,3F/2,7V (4x12mm)
Zimo STACO stayalive
Zimo’s tiny Stayalive controllers will give your N, H0e or 009 scale model an addition power of about 4 seconds with no sound. When he sound is active, you’ll get about 1 to 2 seconds extra. That’s enough to enjoy uninterrupted joy of your model train.
Stayalive with small board
STACO3A
Tiny board with two capacitors. Hardwire to decoder with the two soldered wires for stutter free performance. Similar in size and function to the STACO1.
-Size: 10 x 7.3 x 2 mm
-2 wires
- With 2 Nano GoldCaps 0,3F/2,7V (4x12mm)
Note: with the arrival of the Train-O-Matic SPP Nano, see above, the Tramfabriek doesn’t see the need to stock this stayalive. I advise to purchase the cheaper SPP Nano instead.
See performance
video>>
The Zimo Stayalive controllers are a great solution for DCC model railways, where the DCC decoder is more sensitive for loss of power. So please note that this only works on digital model railways in combination with a DCC decoder. You can use any brand of DCC decoder, it’s not only Zimo. Just connect the blue wire to the Plus (or blue wire) on your decoder and grey wire to the minus (or ground). Don’t confuse the grey wire with the grey wire for the motor contact.
You might have to change CV 29 to disable analog mode, to get better performance. Normally that is changing value 14 to 10. When you leave analog mode on with for example the tOm Lokommander II decoders, the motor will suddenly spin faster when track power gets interrupted.
Below connection example to Train-O-Matic Lokommander Micro decoder. With the Mini decoder, the blue (+ VCC) and grey (GND) wire are swapped.
Supercapacitors
If you want to replace the default supercapacitor of a Powerpack/stayalive. Please make sure they are supercapacitors that connect to a Powerpack/stayalive PCB. These will not work directly connected to a decoder.
Micro Supercapacitor
CAP695
Optionally a smaller supercapacitor is available to replace a Train-O-matic SPP, ESU PowerPack or Lenz Power1 supercapacitor to fit in tight spaces.
1 x 1F Supercapacitor 2.7V Radial
Size: 6.4 mm x 9.5 mm
Nano Supercapacitor
CAP412
The smallest supercapacitor on the world is the Tramfabriek nano supercapacitor. Can be connected to a Powerpack instead of the supplied supercap, if you need the space. Will give about 1 second of extra power.
1 x 0.3F Supercapacitor 2.7V Radial
Compatible with SPP Nano and Zimo STACO stayalives.
Size Nano Supercapacitor: 4 mm x 12 mm
Supercapacitor sizes in comparison:
ESU - 8.2 x 14 mm
Train-O-Matic - 8.2 x 12 mm
Micro supercap - 6.4 x 9.5 mm
Nano supercap - 4 x 12 mm
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