"Keep Alive" for ESU Nano Fx

[RBrodzinsky]

I just finished installing my first Nano Fx into a Kato N-scale BiLevel Cab Car. Even with adding extra weight, the decoder and lights flicker, a lot, while running along the track.  Question: while the manual doesn't say anything about this, can I simply add some capacitors across the common + (blue wire) and the GND pad on the decoder, similar to the LokSound decoders?

[jdcolombo]

Hi Rick.

If there is a GND pad, then you should be able to use caps with the positive connected to the common function output (blue) and the negative to ground.  Function-only decoders still use the same general circuitry as motor-control decoders; they still have a bridge rectifier and the digital circuits, so I don't see any reason why a keep-alive couldn't be used.

John C.

[RBrodzinsky]

I added 3 20V 150uF caps, for a total of 450uF buffering.   Works like a champ, no more flickering (on the test layout, anyhow). As long as my layout (and FreeMoN modules) track is clean, should run great.

Thanks for the confirmation, John.