Polar Express Music Boxcar

Any suggestions for adding some buffering to keep the mp3 player from dropping out when going over switches or track discontinuity?

@VADarthDad posted:

Any suggestions for adding some buffering to keep the mp3 player from dropping out when going over switches or track discontinuity?

I use a 1.5F 5V (can be higher like 6V) rated super capacitor at the MP3 player board. Right where the blue and yellow wires are connected.

https://www.newark.com/c/passi...ors?capacitance=1.5f

Awesome. Forgive stupid question but cut blue wire and solder both legs of blue wire to + super cap and cut yellow wire and solder both legs of yellow wire to - super cap?

Correct, it's just in parallel. Your voltage regulator both charges the capacitor and powers the board at the same time. When the regulator loses power- the capacitor carries on continuing to power the board.

Also, 1.5F is a little overkill, it will play easily with that MP3 module for at least 1 minute after removing power. It's just those are the same capacitors I use all the time for making MTH capacitor replacements so have them on hand.

Love this.  Going to have to try and do this.

You could add this to the PE baggage car.

That’s a good idea!

Wow! What a great idea!