LokSound install in Kato N scale SD40-2 early/snoot mechanism

[nightmare0331]

Greetings.

I thiught I had found the solution to my problem but I am afraid not.  The board you are using is the first generation Loksound Select Direct Micro.  The next generation is quite different underneath.

Reading is fundamental. 

Different decoders.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

Looks like a good time for Peteski to step in and say "for more info on those 2 decoders see" https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44324.0
 

[reinhardtjh]

Looks like a good time for Peteski to step in and say "for more info on those 2 decoders see" https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44324.0
 

I post the link to that thread quite often to the ESU LokSound Facebook page.  Just did again today, in fact.

[peteski]

I post the link to that thread quite often to the ESU LokSound Facebook page.  Just did again today, in fact.

 

[ntex]

Thanks Kelley, great directions on this install, I have quite a few of these to do.

[ednadolski]

... I was thinking there may be some issues with the surface mount caps clearing and I might have to do some interior scraping, but it fits, so I'm rolling with it.

@nightmare0331 I'm curious if you've measured the internal clearance?  I'm installing a 73100 into a snoot like this one and I must say it looks really tight, like the components must be bumping up against the inside top of the shell -- but you're able to get the shell on all the way, apparently?

However the part that is vexing me is getting the board to fit into the frame's rear tab slots (the ones above the rear flywheel).  The decoder board is wider in this area and looks like it can only slide in a very short amount into the slots.  Yet it does not seem to me there is enough room to do this and also clear the motor contact clips soldered onto the underside of the decoder.  I think I need to get in there and have a better look.

Cheers,
Ed

[nightmare0331]

@nightmare0331 I'm curious if you've measured the internal clearance?  I'm installing a 73100 into a snoot like this one and I must say it looks really tight, like the components must be bumping up against the inside top of the shell -- but you're able to get the shell on all the way, apparently?

However the part that is vexing me is getting the board to fit into the frame's rear tab slots (the ones above the rear flywheel).  The decoder board is wider in this area and looks like it can only slide in a very short amount into the slots.  Yet it does not seem to me there is enough room to do this and also clear the motor contact clips soldered onto the underside of the decoder.  I think I need to get in there and have a better look.

Cheers,
Ed

Yes, the shell fits.  However, there is little to no clearance.

The decoder is wider.  You will need to cut two slots with a dremel cutoff wheel to make a recess for the board to fit into.

Hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Mark5]

Dumb questions:

1) if I am reading Peteski's writeup correctly, the 73100 has limited capacitors built in (?) http://www.sbs4dcc.com/images/ESU_73100-73199_Select_Direct_Micro_Keep_Alive.pdf

2) Kelley's install does not have additional "Caps" (?)

[peteski]

ESU decoders have "token" capacitors on-board. Couple hundred microfarads - just enough to coast uninterrupted through some very small power drops  (few milliseconds in duration).  Even the caps added by modelers (usually less than a thousand microfarads) offer only slightly longer ability to coast through power drops (maybe tens of milliseconds).  These are more to keep the decoder's microprocessor (brain) which runs all the decoder's functions (including sound)  from re-initializing.

True Keep-Alive circuits which use SuperCaps have capacitance in few hundred thousand microfarads.  Those will power the model for a second or two without any power coming through the rails.

[ednadolski]

You will need to cut two slots with a dremel cutoff wheel to make a recess for the board to fit into.

Aha more cutting....  Oh well I already made a royal mess of things with the belt grinder, so what's a little more.... 

Do you use those as pickup points for power from the frame halves?

Ed

[ednadolski]

Even the caps added by morelers (usually less than a thousand microfarads) ...

What's a 'moreler'...?   

E

[peteski]

What's a 'moreler'...?   

E

That's what happens when I rush.  Fixed.

[MK]

What's a 'moreler'...?   

E

Model train hoarders that always want more of everything?  They never get enough.   

[peteski]

Model train hoarders that always want more of everything?  They never get enough.   

[Mark5]

Dumb questions:

2) Kelley's install does not have additional "Caps" (?)

Ok, I am going to assume that the answer is "Yes" (no additional capacitors).

I am waiting for the Lok Programmer, so I have time to map this out. 

Mark