Adding a Keep Alive to the Bowser RS3

Описание: Oh boy, a 30+ minute video on adding a Keep Alive? This is more of a Vlog than an update video. I decided to add a TCS KA4 Keep Alive device to my two new Bowser Pennsy RS3's. So I grabbed the cell phone and recorded the shenanigans. At least some of them.

The new Bowser RS3's are very nice- I especially appreciate the intelligent engineering in the design. The body shell is easily removed, all wires to the lights are contained on the chassis and one does not have to struggle with wires up to the body. It is easy to disassemble, which I did all the way down to the truck side frames being removed for weathering. It also is equipped with a Lok Sound 5 decoder- not a hobbled OEM design version.

I added a TCS KA4 to the units. In reading and seeing other videos on this, it can be done- carefully. I did follow advice I saw and utilized a "disconnectable" harness with JST connectors. This is for use if I ever need to go back to the LokProgrammer- I can remove the shell and disconnect the Keep Alive. Most simple CV changes can be made with POM. (Operations Programming).

For the JST harness, I made it from a "kit" I found on Amazon. It consists of 2-10 space male and female connectors, 10 colors of pre-crimped wires, and heat shrink tubing. They are 1.5mm pitch connectors. Assembly is simply a matter of inserting the wires into the shells. And the wire colors cover most of the NMRA DCC standard colors! Here is the link to the kit:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09F3TQS9V?...

The Keep Alive is a TCS KA4, SKU #1668. The wires from the KA4 were soldered to one side of the JST harness. The other side of the harness was soldered to the LokSound 5 decoder.

Everything seems to be working as expected. Now the units are ready for local switching duties!