TCS Keep-Alive® (KA) devices are used to supply power to decoders during times of power interruption due to dirty track or problematic track work. The KA3 will power an HO-Scale locomotive with headlights on for approximately 6 to 20 seconds (depending on the locomotive and the efficiency of the motor).
This Keep-Alive® includes a Blue and a Black w/ White Stripe wire to attach it to a decoder.
For more information on how to connect Keep-Alive® including with other manufacturer's decoder products, click the tab above labeled "Documents."
TCS Keep Alive® (KA) devices are designed to operate with all TCS (or any other Keep Alive® ready) decoders. Decoders with a “-KA” suffix include an extra Blue wire and a Black w/ White Stripe wire for hardwiring the KA to the decoder. Decoders with a “-KAC” suffix have a 2-Pin Connector for attaching the KA(x)-C. WAUX-KA(x) and KA(x)-C devices are not compatible with non-TCS decoder plug-in Keep Alive® interfaces.
Not all DCC decoders are Keep Alive® ready. TCS decoders use software to enable and disable KeepAlive, so if your decoder does not support Keep Alive®, it may not work. Keep Alive® supported code for TCS decoders was implemented fully by November 2012. If the date code in your decoder is before this date, Keep Alive® may never enable. CV's 250, 251, and 252 read as the month, day, and year of manufacturing.
If you would like to attach a Keep Alive® unit to a non-TCS decoder, you need to connect the wires across the output of the bridge rectifier on the decoder. You will need to consult your decoder manufacturer for a schematic or wiring diagram.
1. ALL TCS decoders are compatible with Keep Alive® devices.
2. Connect the Keep Alive® wires to the decoder (Make sure you match the wire colors on the KA to same wire color on the decoder).
3. That’s it! Your locomotive is ready to run over the most treacherous of tracks.
All decoders are covered by a one year goof proof warranty. Please return in a small box.
You MUST register the failed decoder on our website at tcsdcc.com/warranty
Follow the instructions on the website before returning any decoders to TCS.