PowerStore

ControlIt PowerStores provide onboard power storage to DCC equipped locomotives and rolling stock to overcome stalling, sound dropouts and flickering lights resulting from dirty track and poor power pickup.

The range of ControlIt PowerStores available, from left to right: Trapezium, Square, Rectangle, Flat. Click on the image to enlarge.

ControlIt PowerStores (also known as keepalives, KAs, or stay alives) give approximately 5 to 20 seconds* of additional power to locomotives and rolling stock fitted with a DCC decoder. The designs have been carefully considered to provide maximum performance within a range of minimal spaces.

PowerStores are suitable to operate with control systems and decoders that conform to the NMRA DCC specifications and standards.

The Flat PowerStore is suitable for wide bodies and cab roofs, for example the Auscision Paybus, the IDR Models X200 class.

The Rectangle PowerStore is a versatile shape which suits narrow hood and full body width diesel locomotives, as well as steam locomotive tenders and bodies.

The Square PowerStore was originally designed for fitting into the short hood of Auscision 48 and 830 class locos. It suits other installations, such as the Auscision 73 class cab and steam locomotive tenders.

The Trapezium PowerStores are suitable for going into cabs (one example is the IDR Models 70 class) or steam locomotive tenders.

ControlIt PowerStore sizes:

DCC-PS-F: Flat - approximately 20mm L x 22mm W x 6.5mm H
DCC-PS-R: Rectangle - approximately 32mm L x 6.5mm W x 11mm H
DCC-PS-S: Square - approximately 15mm L x 15mm W x 11mm H
DCC-PS-T: Trapezium - approximately 20mmL x 11mmW x 13.5mmH

Each PowerStore comes with 100mm length blue (+ or plus) and black (ground) cables for attaching directly to a DCC decoder or manufacturer circuit board. All PowerStores are made to order.

PowerStore prices:

PowerStore: AUD $35.00 each
DCC-PS-AM44: 3D printed bracket for mounting a square PowerStore in an Auscision Models 44 class locomotive - AUD $3.00 (see image in Gallery below)
Shipping: AUD $8.00 each to anywhere in Australia. Other countries: calculated at the time of invoicing. Postage will be combined wherever possible.

Payment:

Direct Deposit is the preferred payment method for orders in Australian Dollars (AUD), details are provided at the time of invoicing
PayPal is the preferred payment method for orders outside of Australia

Contact ControlIt for Orders and Enquiries

*Note: The time range given for PowerStore performance is indicative only, as individual performance depends on the locomotive and DCC decoder in use. The PowerStores have been tested on a variety of locomotives from old Athearn mechanisms with open frame motors to modern DCC-ready models with efficient can motors.

PowerStore Gallery

Left to right: Trapezium, Square, Rectangle, Flat

A pair of Flat PowerStores

Closeup of a Flat PowerStore

Rectangle PowerStores

Closeup of Square PowerStores

Closeup of a Trapezium PowerStore

PowerStore Installations

A Square PowerStore installed in the short hood of an Auscision Models 48 class

A Rectangle PowerStore fitted in the front speaker chamber of a first release Auscision Models 422 class. For reference the chamber is for a 40mm x 20mm speaker.

A Flat PowerStore installed in an Auscision Models Paybus (the decoder has been removed to show the wiring connection). The PowerStore sits in place.

Video of a customer's Auscision Paybus with a Flat PowerStore fitted. The Paybus stops after 5 seconds of no track power due to the DCC decoder's maximum keepalive time setting.

Video of a customer's Eureka 50 class fitted with a Zimo decoder and a square PowerStore running over track covered with paper towel.

A Flat PowerStore installed in the cab of a customer's IDR Models X200 class locomotive

Video of a customer's IDR Models X200 class fitted with a TCS decoder and a flat PowerStore running at slow speed through a set of points with an unpowered frog ("dead frog")

Video of a customer's IDR Models X200 class fitted with a TCS decoder and a flat PowerStore showing a run time of 70 seconds at speed step 6 with no track power

A Square PowerStore installed in the cab of a customer's first release Auscision Models 73 class locomotive. The control stand inside the cab was removed as part of the installation.

A Trapezium PowerStore installed in the cab of a customer's IDR Models 70 class locomotive

A Square PowerStore installed in a customer's Auscision Models V Set

A Square PowerStore installed in the short hood of a customer's Auscision Models 45 class locomotive. A metal sprue was trimmed off and the PowerStore is held in place with double sided foam tape.

A Square PowerStore installed in an Auscision Models 44 class locomotive. A 3D printed bracket (DCC-PS-AM44) mounts the PowerStore in position.

A Rectangle PowerStore installed in a customer's Eureka Models 40 class diesel. The factory installed capacitor, reed switch and front speaker were removed. The PowerStore is soldered to the same places on the decoder board as the factory capacitor.

A Rectangle PowerStore installed in a customer's Eureka Models 40 class diesel, which has been fitted with a LokSound 5 sound decoder.

A Flat PowerStore installed above the front speaker in a customer's Trainorama 42 class diesel. The PowerStore was soldered directly to the U+ and GND pads on the LokSound 5 sound decoder.

A customer's Trainorama 48 class locomotive with a Rectangle PowerStore installed in the short hood and cab.