Smallest DCC Power Extender (N Scale) – Voltscooter Engineering

These are the smallest DCC power preservation boards made. They work in a way that is similar to Train Control Systems trademarked “keep alive” products. They offer the best options for improving operations of N Scale locomotives. These do not provide the level of level of power preservation that can be installed in larger locomotives.

Smallest DCC foot prints.
- 470uF model is 9.5mm W x 6.6mm L x 3.6mm H
  - Has the same or better power extension time as the TCS KA-N1 at DCC track voltages higher than 12V.
  - Can be trimmed with diagonal cutters to 8.3mm W x 5.9mm L.
    - .33″ x .27″ x .15″
- 840uF model is 9.5mm W x 9mm L x 5.5mm H.
  - Runs %25 longer in extension time than TCS KA-N1.
  - Can be trimmed with diagonal cutters to 9mm W x 9mm L.
    - .36″ x .33″ x .22″
Expandable by easily adding parallel external capacitors. Separate solder pads are provided for this purpose
Easy to program when installed. Will program like a normal decoder when connected to a Lok Programmer, or a Soundtraxx PCB-100 Booster (Page Mode)
16V maximum track voltage
- Over voltage protected
For best results the 470uF should be used with external 470uF capacitors for as much capacitance as you have room for.
- Add capacitors to your order below.
- Or order the Kyocera capacitor TCN4477M016R0070E (0.287″ L x 0.240″ W 0.079″ H (7.30mm x 6.10mm x 2mm)), from Digi-Key.
These do not provide the level of power extension that can be installed in larger locomotives. It does provide enough power extension to take you across joints a minor track dirt.

470uF Manual Trifold Download

940uF Manual Trifold Download

Page down for examples of installations.

Order 470uF Capacitors for Expansion. See the manual for specifics. The solder pads are on the underside of the capacitor. Add as many in parallel as you can find room for. The dimensions are (0.287″ L x 0.240″ W 0.079″ H (7.30mm x 6.10mm x 2mm))

Installation Examples

Atlas SD9 Installation (N Scale)

Note the ground connection in the circle. This connects the ground of the Nano board to a location on the Atlas adapter board that connects to the rear plug.

Main connection to 470uFd power extender board.

Ground connection on the ESU Nano board.

Connections to additional 470uFd power extension board.

Atlas SD45 Soundtrax Installation (N Scale)

Lok Select Micro Installation (N Scale)

Kato F Unit Lok Sound and Lok Pilot Micro 5 Installation (N Scale)

This installation included the WVD ESU Loksound 5 Micro Next18 Adapter PCA.

Lok Sound installation with 470uFd product and two additional 470uFd capacitors. (Note that the image shows 3 470uFD capacitors and that the third one was removed to fit the shell properly.

Lok Pilot Installation with 840uFd product and two additional 470uFd capacitors installed.

Scale Trains SD45T 940uF Installation (N Scale)

Over all view

940uF

Connection to Scale Trains mother board.

Additional add on capacitors installation.

Atlas GP20 with LokSound 5 58721 Decoder (N Scale)

Installation of the 470uF unit with auxiliary low profile addition 470uF capacitor.

Red wire is U+ or UE+ and black wire is ground.

Power extender mounted to the left under the decoder.

Atlas N Scale SD35 Wiring with LokSound 5 58721 Micro DCC

Installation with 470uFd and additional 470uFd capacitor.

Red wire is U+ or UE+ and green wire is ground. Here the power extender is wired before installation under the rear of the decoder. Remove the plastic shield under the rear of the decoder to make more room for the power extender. Also trim the light guide for the rear light to make room for the added 470uFd capacitor.

The power extender has also been trimmed with a cutter to make it as short as possible. This photo is before trimming was done. Once the power extender is trimmed it will fit closer to the chassis and the front of the locomotive. The add on capacitor will also fit closer to the power extender and the decoder.

U+ connection.