ESU Decoders

[carlso]

I, along with several members have wished for narrower sound decoders from ESU. I am completing an install in an Atlas / KATO SD-9 and for sure can see the merits of a narrow decoder.

I was just browsing the ESU Germany Web site and they are announcing a new non sound decoder to be out 3Q 2016. It is called the LokPilot Nano Standard and measures 8.0mm x 7.0mm x 2.8mm and they claim that it maintains all of the motor control efficiency that their current decoders display.

As I said this is a non sound unit but can sound be too far behind ? Just thought this might be of interest to all.

Carl

[mu26aeh]

Maybe the sound version is what they are working on for the Intermountain SD40-2 that is over a year and half late.  The decoder is the reason for the hold up so they say.       

[carlso]

I think that is just another IM excuse.

C

[wmcbride]

I agre a narrower ESU sound decoder would be a real blessing.

[wcfn100]

I think that is just another IM excuse.

C

Not 'another' excuse, pretty much what they've been saying for a year.

ESU decided to make a universal decoder instead of custom decoders for each new model like the SD40-2.   So IM has had to wait until it was designed, tested and put into production.  Last I talked with them, the design was finally completed and testing was going to start.

Jason

[tehachapifan]

It would be great if this comes to fruition! I actually hope they don't try to over do it with going narrow thus ending up with a longer board. It seems like their current board only needed to be a shave narrower to fit in a lot of shells. That said, I suppose there are still some applications that would call for a super-narrow board (the 44 tonner comes to mind, although I can't remember the width of that shell at the moment).

[jdcolombo]

I have heard rumors that LokSound is indeed working on a smaller sound decoder.  Not sure of the accuracy of these, but it makes sense: CT Elektronik (Austria) has a smaller sound decoder (the SL76, 16.7 x 7.7 x 2.3 mm), and they compete with LokSound in their home European market.  It makes sense that ESU would want to have a competitive product.  The new non-sound micro decoder is about the same size as the Zimo MX621; CT makes an even smaller decoder (The DCX76).  The fact that ESU is trying to downsize the LokPilot micro to compete with Zimo and CT indicates that the rumors of a smaller sound decoder probably are true.  The Atlas board shows that this is possible; it's a bit under 8.5mm wide; it's long, but a lot of that length is just to make it fit the available space for mounting purposes.   The actual decoder electronics probably could fit in 20-25mm.

The likelihood of a narrower LokSound is why I've put a moratorium on any further hood-diesel installs.  Cab units aren't a problem because of their width, and steam locos are a cinch (well, maybe not the Atlas Shay or 4-4-0, but easy in the tender of the 2-8-0 or Kato Mike).   I do wish Matt would spend some time updating LokSound's "generic" steam files.   The file for the N&W 2-8-8-2, the SP cab forward and the UP Big Boy (which I also use for my Challenger and probably will one day put in my EM-1's) are excellent.  The "steam collection" files could use an update; they aren't bad, but the chuff sounds in particular are better on the Soundtraxx Econami, which also has a configurable "open cocks" sound at startup that ESU lacks in these steam collection files.

Actually, what I really wish for is a sound file based on the NKP 765.  At one point Matt had expressed some interest in recording the 765; it would make a great "superpower" dual-cylinder steam file.  Maybe he could record Mike 587, too!

John C.