#39 Part 1: How to make a Stay Alive Capacitor Unit (Hornby TTS Sound Decoder and Others)

This is Part 1 of an in-depth two-part series looking at home-made stay alive devices.

In this video, we look at making a stay alive/keep alive capacitor unit for use alongside a Hornby TTS sound decoder.

The principles and steps outlined in this video are, however, applicable for most other stay alive scenarios, including coach lighting, end of train (EOT) lamps and so on. The stay alive unit made could therefore be used in multiple situations, not just with a Hornby decoder.

As well as showing you how to make the stay alive unit itself and assemble all of the components, there's a brief explanation of the background to stay alive devices generally and the role that each of the components plays in the overall circuit.


Video Contents +

00:00 - Video introduction
01:08 - Intro to making a stay alive unit
02:18 - Overview of the components required
04:11 - Using resistors to manage in-rush
05:00 - The components in detail
06:26 - Circuit diagrams
08:40 - A quick word of capacitor sizes
10:58 - Putting it all together: soldering
15:40 - Adding hookup wires & heat shrink
17:22 - The finished article


Components +

You can buy items used in this video tutorial using the affiliate links below. Using these links helps to support the channel and is very much appreciated.

Hornby TTS decoders (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2PbRM9x
Hornby TTS sound decoders (eBay): https://ebay.to/2S1P4Ca
Capacitors (15,000 uF 25v): https://ebay.to/2AljFnF
Resistors (100 ohm 1/4w): https://amzn.to/2yzLtDx
Decoder wire (red & black): https://ebay.to/2NR9fj1
Decoder wire (Multipack): https://ebay.to/2PGEYoK
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A): https://ebay.to/2CXBifB
Diodes (1N4001 50v 1A):: https://amzn.to/2ODFqYo
Heat Shrink (multipack): https://amzn.to/2PdO0N5
Heat Shrink (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2EvWI54
Kapton tape (10mm x 30m): https://amzn.to/2OBEpjB
Kapton tape (various sizes): https://ebay.to/2R2H2aU
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (Amazon): https://amzn.to/2Al6HpP
Liquid Flux Topnik No Clean (eBay): https://ebay.to/2CXy7EO
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://amzn.to/2NT7pOy
0.3mm Lead/Tin solder: https://ebay.to/2S6Jpe0
Hakko Soldering Station: https://amzn.to/2CVLzca
Blue silicone electronics mat: https://amzn.to/2Pbv7ug
A2 green cutting mat: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3
A1 green cutting matt: https://amzn.to/2P8aKy3


#StrathpefferJunction #HornbyTTS #StayAlive #KeepAlive

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Disclaimer +

This project does require a steady hand and competence with a soldering iron. Working with DCC decoders and tiny surface-mount components leaves little margin for error and it is very easy to permanently damage sensitive electronics if you are not very careful. If you choose to follow any of the steps or suggestions outlined in the video, you do so at your own risk and any damage or injury to yourself, your models, your equipment or others is your own responsibility.