Can I add a current keeper to a Bachmann shay and climax?

capecodtodd · March 12, 2023, 5:49pm

I have been adding sound to my RDC and Doodlebigger and now that I am on the electronics kick I want to revisit a point of frustration. Years ago I bought a used Bachmann 3 truck Shay with factory sound. I also have the new version of the Climax with factory sound. These are both soundtraxx systems that are designed for DCC but I use DC track power. I would like to turn up the volume on both of these units as well if that is possible without a DCC control?

What bothers me is when the train hits spotty track and the sound cuts out for a second or 2. It really bugs me that the sound just stops when reversing direction to grab some cars out of a siding.

I don’t know why Bachmann didn’t put in a current keeper when setting these fine locos up but they didn’t. Tsunami/soundtraxx makes current keepers for the smaller scales that plug right in to the boards but not for G, plus I do not see where the plug would go on the board if they did. I have the Shay apart right now.

Does any one know if I can add a current keeper, battery or capacitors to the Soundtraxx board and if so is there a diagram that shows the wiring?

John_Lenheiser · March 13, 2023, 4:14pm

I hope someone has your answer for this, I went battery power with Rail Pro and did away with track power and glad it did. It’s like taking all the fun out of model railroading.
trainman

capecodtodd · March 14, 2023, 1:25pm

It would be nice if there was an easy way to keep the sound alive in these 2 locos but there doesn’t seem to be. I don’t mind spending $20 for a small battery but ripping it all apart and spending several hundred dollars to add Battery RC Railpro is a different story. I have 2 engines that are battery RC with the Revolution system but converting the fleet is not in the budget.
I’m still tossed over which is better, track power of battery RC.