DCC Concepts releases new Stay-Alive range

DCC Concepts has released a new range of Stay-Alive units, designed to provide back-up power to DCC decoders in the event of intermittent power loss, owing to faulty or dirty pick-ups or track. It claims the units are more compact than those of its competitors, offering modellers more space inside their locomotives for other features.

Its three-wire Stay-Alive System separates the control PCB from the capacitors, affording modellers more space around their models.

Designed to be simple to install, each item from its ZEN 3-wire Stay-Alive range plugs into a Zen Black or Blue+ decoder via the integrated Control board. The 'run-on' time can be adjusted via CV65 of the decoder and can be set in 5 steps: 0 = default, which allows it to run on for the maximum time available, then 1 = 0.5, 2 = 1.0, 3 = 1.5, and 4 = 2.0 seconds.

The standard 'run-on' times are presented above, though these will vary depending on the current draw of each decoder.

Its four Stay-Alive units are also available in packs, this one (DCD-SAA-3) providing one each of its four new units.

For ESU and Lenz decoder users, whose circuit boards don’t have integrated wiring, the manufacturer is retailing a pack of connection harnesses (DCD-WH3) for its Stay-Alives.

Richard Johnson of DCC Concepts commented, "our focus is on usability and ease of connection – and we pay attention to this in every design, making sure that while performance satisfies everyone, the average modeller can also install, operate and use anything we create, with a smile. We use only the best parts available and test in depth, analysing long-term life potential properly. We test to 20V+, where most actually top out at 16V, but claim higher. Many claim great performance and even deliver it day one, but average lower-cost super capacitors some brands use are gradually damaged by heavy loads and rapid discharge, so as time passes, they stop being so effective, as their ability to charge and discharge weakens."

Manuals for the location and recommended installation of connection harness wires on ESU and Lenz decoders which must be soldered to the chips can be downloaded from the manufacturers’ website. To see the full range, visit the DCC Concepts website.