Many smaller locomotives come to a standstill on switches with plastic frogs. When is the track is dirty, power pick-up will be even lower. ‘Goldcaps’ compensate for brief power interruptions occurring with smaller locomotives or locomotives that have short axle center distances.

A ‘goldcap’ is a capacitor with high energy density. “A capacitor can store electric energy when disconnected from its charging circuit, so it can be used like a temporary battery” (Wikipedia)

During power interruptions, the locomotive motor and special functions (lights, sound, smoke) are powered by the buffer. Goldcaps provide reliable operation in problematic areas such as isolated track connections and switches. The duration of the buffer operation may last up to 1 minute, depending on the electrical current load, charging status of the buffer and the actual speed.

This year, ZIMO released several types of Goldcaps. The following items can be used with G scale 16V decoders (ZIMO MX695, MX696):

• “ELKSOGR” – 5 x 10000uF (16 V, diameter x length = 18 x 35 mm) & 5 x 22000 UF (16 V, 22 x 40 mm). The amount of “Elkos” (Goldcap) you install, depends on your needs.
• “GOLDSOR” – 15 x 1F (2,5 V, 8 x 12 mm). You need to place 7 Goldcaps in series to meet the 16V requirement (7 x 2,5V = 17,5V). Total capacity: 0,14F
• “GOLMRUND” – 7 Goldcaps in series circuit (25 x 14mm). Total capacity: 0,14F
• “GOLMLANG” – same as GOLMRUND, but formed in a different shape (l x w x h = 60 x 8 x 14 mm)

Left: ELKSOGR / Middle: GOLMRUND / Right: GOLMLANG

More information: http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/energiespeicher.htm