Home & New Products

About Us

Products

Seminars

DCC101

DCC201

DCC301

DCC302

 

Contact Us &
How to Order

SL-APB 2 Wire Automatic Power Buffer for any Decoder

Does your DDC loco stall on switches? The SL Automatic Power Buffer provides UPS Power for your loco's decoder for motor, sound, lights, smoke and all other functions when track power is lost.

Superior performance to and easier to install than any other power buffer.

Direct From Manufacturer- Made in the USA

Shourt Line Direct Discount Prices: Click on items below for details on each model

SL 6101033 3,300uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire - for ex small locos $39.44 Capacitor Size:0.64" diameter X 1.1"H**
SL 6101044 4,700uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire - for small locos $40.51 Capacitor Size: 0.64" diameter X 1.23"H**
SL 6101068 6,800uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (1X power = LGB 65011) $41.25 Capacitor Size: 0.64" diameter X 1.23"H**
SL 6101082 8,200uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (1X power = LGB 65011) $42.65 Capacitor Size: 0.88" diameter X 1.45"H**
SL 6101100 10,000uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (>1X power) $42.65 Capacitor Size: 0.88" diameter X 1.45"H**
SL 6101222 22,200uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (2X power) $45.85 Capacitor Size: 1.19" diameter X 1.64"H**
SL 6101333 33,300uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (3X power) $47.98 Capacitor Size: 1.39" diameter X 1.84"H**
** Add addition height for wires clearance at the top of capacitor ~0.3" inch

Circuit Size is the same for all models above: .44"WX.33"HX1.7"L

SL 6102001 1 Farad Gold Cap Super Capacitor Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (100X power) $98.95

SL 6102010 0.1 Farad Gold Cap Super Capacitor Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (10X power) $78.95

For questions on this item or details on our professional repair, restoration and digital sound decoder installation services Call 310-622-4431 or email us at info@ShourtLine.com

Features:

Easy two wire installation - no switch required.

Requires a DCC Decoder and works with any brand decoder with or without sound.

• No switch or 3rd wire required for programming your decoder in your loco.
• Automatic Operation with motor, sound or motor/sound decoders
• Easy install to any decoder that has + and - voltage terminals or solder pads
• Works with or without decoders that have BC (buffers control) terminals

Without the a SL Power Buffer, your loco can stall or jerk and lights flicker or go out on switch frogs, dirty track or dead sections of track. The SL Automatic Gold Cap Buffer eliminates these power interruptions in the same way a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Source) can keep you computer operating when power fails. When your loco passes over the bad track, the buffer continues to supply power to the motor, lights, sound and all other loco features, your loco continues to operate even without track power!

What is an automatic Power Buffer?

A power buffer stores energy to run your train should power be interrupted. Power interruptions often occur when a loco passes through a switch or over a bad or dirty section of track. The a SL Power Buffer is unique in that it automatically disconnects the power buffer when you perform programming operations. Other power buffers require you to install a switch and turn it off prior to programming you loco. In addition the Shourt Line Automatic power buffer limits the charging current to avoid damaging your decoder or short circuit faults at your central station and/or boosters.

The Shourt Line Power Buffer is also unique in that it; has only two wires to connect, has automatic operation and is very small in size to allow placement where other buffers do not fit.

How does the Shout Line automatic Power Buffer Work?

The Shourt Line Automatic Power Buffer is not a diode and capacitor like other buffers that interfere with and make programming operations fail.

The Shourt Line Automatic Power Buffer has a circuit that detects programming and switches OFF the buffer so programming works with any decoder, every time, without fail. Other buffers require the installation of a switch or require the loco to be opened and the buffer disconnected prior to programming.

What size Automatic Power Buffer do I need?

The size of Automatic Power Buffer required depends on current draw of the motor block(s), smoke, lights and sound system, number of power pickup points and condition of your track determine the size of buffer required. Dirty or un level track, and non-conductive points all reduce a locos ability to draw power from the track.

Generally the larger the capacity of the power buffer the greater distance the loco can travel without power. Because of this the larger the capacitance the better, SL buffers range from 3,300 uF to 66,000 uF for capacitance types and from 2.5 to .1 Farad for SuperCap (Gold Cap) types. Standard capacitors provide run times of 1/10 to 2 seconds of loco travel or 1/8 to 2 revolutions of wheel movement without power. The space available inside the loco is also a consideration in choosing a size of power buffer. Please contact us for recommendations for specific loco models.

The Shourt Line offers Super Caps (Gold Cap) Power Buffers for special conditions where 30 to 120 seconds of run time is desired as these offer 1 to 2.5 Farads of storage capacity. The disadvantage of this amount of run time is that the loco can not be stopped until power is restored unless your decoder provides a software cut-off CV and output pin for this function..

Specifications:

• Made in the USA by the Shourt Line
• Works with any decoder or sound board with DC + and - voltage terminals
• For MTS, DCC or DC powered decoders or sound boards
• No switch required for programming
• Automatically detects programming and switches off to allow programming (Pat. Pend)
• Super Capacitor types are available in single board and three piece versions for small locos.
• Stores up to 24Votls at the buffer's capacitance
• Maximum charge current is 200-300 ma (.4 amps) but can be set to any current level upon request at the time of ordering.
• Maximum operating voltage 25 Volts DC (from decoder or sound board)
• Maximum track voltage 26 Volts AC or DC or DCC (NMRA recommenced max track voltage is 22 volts)
• Operates with DC (analog) or AC, DCC or MTS track power via a DCC decoder
• New smaller size - controller: 0.44"Wide X 0.33"High X 1.7"Long + Capacitor Size: see model list above
• Shourt Line life time warrantee to the original owner

Electronic Controller:

The electronic controller come prewired to the capacitor and has two wires for connecting to your decoder. The red wire goes to the decoders + voltage output (the terminal used by lighitng and other accesories. The Green (or black wire on our older models) connects to the decoders Gnd terminal. The + and Gnd terminals are actully the decoders full wave bridge outputs. All decoders have a full wave bridge to covert the DCC (AC) power to DC for running the motor and other loads.

Functions: The electronic controller is the interface between the decoder and the capacitor. It provides several important functions:

1. Limits the charge rate of the capacitor
2. Switches power to the decoder in the event of power loss
3. Switches off power or programming that allows the SPROG with JMRI software or the ESU programmer to reed or write all all CVs on once.
4. Fast recharge of buffer capacitor after loss of power
5. High current input and output allows adding capacitors in parallel at any time.

Size: 0.44"Wide X 0.33"High X 1.7"Long

Features:

• Small Size
• High Current Output (up to 15 amps)
• Low Current Charging (100ma to 300ma depending on type)
• Automatic capacitor cutoff for programming operations
• Prewired to capacitor
• 2 wire operation
• Works with all decoder via the GND and + voltage outputs

The length is 1.7 inches and connected with 26AWG wire for decoder and capacitor connection

The width is .44 inches with a flat side that can be easily attached via double sided tape or adhesive

The height is .33 inches

Instructions:

Wiring and setup:

1. Wire the red wire to the decoders + voltage terminal (some decoders like ESU's call this 'common')
2. Wire the green (or black wire on older models) to the Gnd (ground) terminal.
3. Place loco on the track with DCC power on for 2 minutes for the initial charve of the buffer capacitor.
4. Run loco slowly over track sections where the loco used to stall and notice that the loco keeps running without stalling or bucking.
5. If you loco speeds up when the track power is removed, set the decoder to run on DCC only so the speed is not affected by the voltage level on the buffer capacitor. Check with your owners manual on how to disable analog loco operation. The Automatic Power Buffer will work regardless of the decoders setting for running on analog power.

Programming a decoder with attached SL Automatic Power Buffer:

1. Run loco slowly and disconnect track power
2. Notice that the loco runs a short distance after the power is removed.
3. Leave on track for 10 seconds to discharge the buffer charge
4. Place loco on your programming track
5. Program as usual

 

Photos:

SL 6101033 3,300uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire - for ex small locos $39.44 Capacitor Size:0.64" diameter X 1.1"H**
For 1 motor very small locos

SL 6101068 6,800uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (1X power = LGB 65011) $41.25 Capacitor Size: 0.64" diameter X 1.23"H**
For 1 motor small locos

SL 6101082 8,200uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (1X power = LGB 65011) $38.95 Capacitor Size: 1" diameter X 1.5"H
For 1 motor small to mid size locos

SL 6101100 10,000uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (>1X power) $42.65 Capacitor Size: 0.88" diameter X 1.45"H**
For 1 motor mid size locos

SL 6101222 22,200uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (2X power) $42.95 Capacitor Size: 1" diameter X 1.5"H (show above) & the

SL 6101333 33,300uF Automatic Power Buffer - 2 wire (3X power) $44.95 Capacitor Size: 1" diameter X 1.5"H are perfect for 2 motor locos such as the LGB Mallets & other 2 truck locos.

All SL APB's have the use the same circuit size: .44"W X .33"H X 1.7"L

Hook-up Instructions:

Decoder and power buffer installation service availabe at the Shourt Line by Soft Works Ltd. Contact us for details

Easy Hook-up: Just connect red wire to + and black wire to the minus (-) outputs on your decoder.

LGB MTS and Massoth L Decoders: Check the instruction manual to locate the plus (+) & minus (-) outputs on the decoder. Connect the red wire to + and black wire to the minus (-) outputs. Massoth L decoder shown above.

Massoth L decoder & Prewired SL 6101044 4,700uF Automatic Power Buffer is shown below

Some decoders require that the analog mode of the decoder must be deactivated with a Power Buffer; otherwise the decoder detects the buffer as a false power source and changes to analog mode. Normally the analog mode is deactivated if CV29 bit2 is set to “0”. Please check the correct setting according to your decoder instructions. The decoder will work regardless of the analog mode setting but you may notice a slight increase in speed when track power is lost.

Easy Placement: The control circuit and capacitor are separated to allow flexible placement where other power buffers just don't fit. This photo shows a typical loco with no room to fit an LGB power buffer but the Shourt Line SL-APB-8300 fits easily. Notice the control circuit is in the left side the photo to the left and under the Massoth XLS sound decoder and the power buffers capacitor fits nicely in the area to the right.

Photo above shows XLS sound decoder and SL 6101100 10,000uF Automatic Power Buffer mounted inside an LGB single motor diesel loco.

How to choose the size for your loco: Use the largest capacitor size that fits inside your loco. The larger the loco the larger the capacitor required and the more space available to place the capacitor and control circuit.

Avoid stalled locos: Provides power to travel over dead switch frogs or dirty sections of track while sound, lights, motor, smoke and other accessories continue to operate.

Don't loose control of your locos again, try our Automatic Power Buffers today!

For indoor or outdoor use - Pat. Pend. all rights reserved

Questions? Email info@ShourtLine.com by clicking here

Thanks for looking - Shourt Line by Soft Works Ltd.

copyright 2016 ShourtLine.com - Soft Works Ltd. all rights reserved