Hey guys just wondering has anyone taken apart one of these, they are so fragile I dont want to break it,I did look at the exploded diagram but wasnt sure how it comes apart. If anyone has pictures that would be super helpful
thanks
The manual at p.7 says this:
https://rapidotrains.com/sites/default/files/2018/05/26-Instructions_ENG-web.pdf
Rapido suggests not to, unless you get raided by CSIS.
When Rapido suggest not to generally speaking they have a reason.
Mind you, if you email their support people (person actually) they may advise you one way or another.
Just curious but why would you want to install a keep alive? Have you verified that the Loksound decoder already in there doesn’t have that capability? This locomotive is only 3 years out on the market. There’s a new SW1200 coming from Rapido soon.
Here’s what Rapido will sell you to put in there:
https://rapidotrains.com/products/ho-scale/sound-decoders/esu-loksound-v50-decoder-sw1200rs
Here’s the current Loksound manual from Rapido:
Page 11 chart says only the 5 and 5L have integrated keep alive. It may be that the original release of this model came with a Loksound 4 without a keep alive.
If you don’t already have the decoder in there then I’d put a current one in rather than just a keep alive.
The Rapido SW1200 hasn’t been shipped yet.
P.16 of the SW1200RS LokSound Select manual indicates that a keepalive is NOT factory-installed, but they happily proved full specs and diagrams for ‘soldering one in’.
Presumably the non-RS versions would be similar if they use the same decoder. Equally presumably you would follow the detailed shell removal procedure to the letter, and engage the Tantalus Field neutralizing enclosing plastic bag technology to avoid ‘misunderstandings’ concerning continued presence of detail components.
Have your white glue handy!!
(Interestingly, Ed’s documentation for the LOKSound 58881 contains very explicit part numbers for the keepalives to be used there – “accept no substitutes”. It is interesting that here not only is no part suggested, but ESU gives generic values and doesn’t even hint they have a part or assembly to provide…)
Yes, I deduced the OP has one of the RS models. I am looking for a CPR script lettered Tuscan red/ gray one of those with DCC sound. Not likely to find one.
Mike, Isn’t this one? And there are many more.
Thats actually the one I have, love it but it seems to have trouble at very slow speeds.
I still find it odd that a manufacturer would recommend to avoid removing the shell. What about lubrication of the ujoints and motor shaft? Changing a dead decoder? Rapido is not the only one in this camp, unfortunately. Can they not design these things to be easy to open?
Simon
So I think my problem is the pickups are dirty … now how do I get access to them ?
They advise it expressly to retain the fine detail. Note the various Master Cautions in the SW1200RS manual… followed by a very detailed procedure for how to proceed. The linked material for the decoder specifically mentions soldering to it, something that would NOT be in their official support documents if there were truly ‘no user-serviceable parts inside’.
As they say, don’t come whining if things fall off or break as you work. And if in any doubt, put Rapido customer service in the loop before the Field goes to work or the tabs start snapping…
Yes it is, thanks. I just assumed they were “all sold out”
The “like new” description also applies to the asking price…
**
also i find it odd that something that short a wheelbase would not have a keep alive from the factory**
That’s a bad situation considering its a switcher. Thanks for the heads up.
Oh how did we ever survive. Now we MUST have keep alives in everything? What changed? And no, it’s NOT DCC.
I have installed NO keep alives in any of my locos. They all run fine, at slow speed, at high speed, at medium speed. Even a shorty like the GE 44 Tonner can go slow switching speeds over turnouts and not stall. My modern DCC stuff (and ‘modern’ can mean some locos that were produced in the 90’s - by some standards those might be OLD locos) ALL without compare run better than the DC stuff I had in the early 70’s as a kid.
You don’t need a keep alive, you need clean track and good power feeds. And any sort of abrasive track cleaner is NOT making the track clean.
–Randy
I’m pretty sure this keep alive fad results from DCC with sound needing clean continuous power. Ordinary motor only DCC surely doesn’t need the feature.
Mind you, flickering lights used to be an issue until somebody thought to put capacitors in light boards. Same issue. Locomotive momentum can skip over small interruptions in power delivery but lights and sound not so much.
I include a capacitor “keep alive” on most, if not all, of my brass DCC installs.
Brass locomotives have inherently poor rail pickup.
Cheers, Ed