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ZIMO DCC

ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps

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UPC:
9009606775344
MPN:
STACO3A
Condition:
New

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  • ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps
  • ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps
  • ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps
  • ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps
MSRP: $32.78
Price: $26.26
— You save $6.52

Description

ZIMO STACO3A Super Cap Stay-Alive Controller w/ 2x Micro 0.3F Gold Caps


StayAlive controller in miniature design, suitable (also in terms of dimensions) for MX or MS decoders (miniature decoders) of "category 1 " (i.e. without provisions for energy storage connection) or "restricted category 2" (e.g. only 1000 µF possible in direct connection, therefore need for better "category 1" type energy storage); for connecting (via wires) to the "Gem. Plus" and "GROUND" decoder pads or pins.

The stay-alive controllers may only be operated with a maximum of 18 V rail voltage!

2 (or 3 with STACO1) mini gold caps are connected to the StayAlive controller via wires; This means that all parts (decoder, STACO, Goldcaps) are distributed spatially - in contrast to a massive "power pack". The circuit board transforms the voltage of the gold caps (a total of 5.2 V or 8.1 V - depending on whether there are 2 or 3 gold caps; when fully charged, drops to approx. 2V over time) to 10V, which is the backup supply for the decoder is sufficient in the event of wheel-rail contact interruptions (for drive and sound without loss of volume) and does not cause any disruptions, e.g. in service mode.

 

Package Contents

 

 

  • 1 x STACO3A controller, for charging and controlled unloading of 2 mini gold caps, 10 x 7.3 x 2 mm, 2 soldered wires (squid harness...) for hardwire connection
  • 2 x micro gold caps 0.3 F / 2.7 V, 4 x 12 mm (diameter x length)

 

 

Energy Storage (Capacitors & Gold Caps) for Zimo Decoders

 

  • electrolytic capacitors - goldcaps - supercaps - tantals

 

ZIMO has energy storage solutions for all decoders, that means provisions for the substitute supply of the decoder and the vehicle equipment (drive, lighting, sound, ...) by capacitive components such as electrolytic capacitors, tantals or gold caps (supercaps) in all situations where the supply from the track is interrupted. The use of energy storage devices in vehicles brings numerous advantages with regard to

 

  • continuing to run in case of contact interruptions due to dirty tracks and de-energised switch frogs,
  • the avoidance of stopping on de-energised points in conjunction with a ZIMO special procedure
  • the interference-free sound reproduction in case of wheel-rail contact problems (often the most important point in practice)
  • the avoidance of energy losses due to HLU and RailCom gaps (which also exist without contact problems)
  • the reduction of engine noise associated with HLU and RailCom gaps
  • the improvement of the reception quality (readability) of the RailCom signal sent by the decoder
  • the minimization of heating of the decoder, especially for motors with low ohmic resistance

 

The great variety of ZIMO decoders - between miniature types (for N and TT) and large scale types (for G and 1) - however requires different energy storage solutions: there are

3 categories (and also mixed versions):

 

  • Decoders WITHOUT own provisions for energy storage (typical for miniature decoders):

In such a case, though, an external capacitance (electrolytic capacitor or several tantals in parallel) can still be used. Either together with a small circuit of diodes and resistors via which the connection to "Common plus" and "Ground" of the decoder is made; or - the newer and more effective method - via a power control board, the ZIMO "StayAlive-Controller" (STACO1) (with a step-up regulator to 10 V, via which connected gold caps supply power to the decoder).

  • Decoders  WITH direct energy storage connection:

There electrolytic capacitors or goldcap modules (these are series circuits of 6 or 7 goldcaps to achieve the necessary total voltage) can be connected to their own wires, pads or pins WITHOUT additional components or circuit boards (i.e. without additional costs, effort and space requirements). However, there are variants (depending on the decoder type, see below) that must be considered:

  • 15 V variant: the capacitance to be connected (electrolytic capacitor, ...) must have a dielectric strength of 15 V.
  • 25 V variant: the capacitance must correspond to the driving voltage, preferably the highest possible, i.e. 25 V.
  • 5V-special solution of the MS580N18: two mini gold caps connected in series can be connected in this case.
  • Decoders WITH INTEGRATED energy storage (typical for large scale decoders), consisting of 3 gold caps:

 

If required (which should be rather rare), external goldcap modules (with dielectric strength 15 V) can be connected externally.

 

The category 1 (according to the above classification) includes: 

 

  • many MX decoders (i.e. ALL EXCEPT MX633 ... 637 and MX644, MX645 and MX large scale decoders which are category 2),
  • among the MS decoders (currently only sound decoders) the subminiature sound decoder MS590N18 and in some sense also the miniature types MS480 ... 490, 500, which offer a direct connection according to category 2, but which is limited to 1000µF*), which makes "category 1 - methods" more effective (see 1st and esp. 2nd picture top right).

 

The category 2 includes:

 

  • the larger MX decoders, i.e. the types MX633 ... 637 and MX644, MX645 and the MX large scale decoders MX696; however, the permissible connectable capacitance for direct connection is generally limited to 6800µF,
  • the PluX decoder MX645,  for this, electrolytic capacitors with a dielectric strength of 15 V or the SUPERCAP68 are sufficient, otherwise electrolytic capacitors from 25 V are permissible.
  • most MS decoders up to H0 gauge, and indeed unrestricted MS440 .... 450 (any size of connectable capacitance from electrolytic capacitors and goldcap modules), restricted MS480 ... 490, 500 ( capacities up to1000 µF *), see above), and MS580N18 with special solution (5V double goldcap).
  • *) instead of 1000 µF, up to 3000 µF can also be connected, if service-mode programming and SW update and sound loading are waived (resp. meanwhile the condensers are disconnected).

 

The category 3 includes

 

  • the MX large scale decoders MX699 and all MS large scale decoders, i.e. MS950 ... 999. 

 

<img src="https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-draccznnya/product_images/uploaded_images/moved-cd3718a670b0467f356f25a3594ac030.png

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Additional Resources

MANUFACTURERS WEBSITE:
SOUND CONFIGURATION & SOUND FILE RESOURCES:
FIRMWARE & SOFTWARE RESOURCES:
PRODUCT MANUALS & TECHNICAL DOCUMENT RESOURCES:
MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY & REPAIRS:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - DCC TIPS:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (1):
NA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (2):
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Additional Information

PRODUCT CLASS :
Micro (N-HO-S*)
DECODER TYPE:
Keep-Alive Device
SIZE-INCH (L x W x H):
0.39 x 0.29 x 0.08 in
SIZE-METRIC (L x W x H):
10 x 7.3 x 2 mm
KEEP-ALIVE INTERFACE:
Hardwire - 2 Single Wires w/ Free Ends
KA INPUT VOLTAGE (MAX):
16V
KA TOTAL CAPACITANCE:
0.3F
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
NA
NOTES (1):
Dimension plus 2x D4 x 12 mm wired capacitor
NOTES (2):
NA
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