Interesting Post on ESU Facebook Group for Kato F units (and F40PH) DropIn Board

[drbnc]

Two done, two more waiting for decoders. This board is great!

[nightmare0331]

I shot a quick down and dirty video of an install in a Kato F40PH.

I hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[skent]

I shot a quick down and dirty video of an install in a Kato F40PH.

I hope this helps!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

This is awesome, Kelley!  Thank you for putting this together and sharing it with everyone! 

It's probably good for me to mention that the decoder itself can be plugged into the board in either direction (as shown in the video or flipped 180 degrees).   The labeling on the adapter board was laid out so that it is correct when the decoder is plugged in opposite to how it is shown in the video.     This isn't a problem because the Next18 connector can be flipped like that.  The only thing that may be different here is that this locomotive would run in reverse and some of the AUX labeling will not match in software.      The direction issue can be fixed in the CVs of course, but I figured I'd point this out regardless.

I've attached a picture showing the installation orientation that Wutter and I prefer.   

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Thanks again, Kelley!  Great video

-Shane

[Sharky_McSharknose]

I have installed the WVD board + decoder into one of my F40PHs. It works fine, but I need to revise the speaker and rear LED setup. If I can figure out how to remove the cab glazing without breaking anything I would also like to try lighting the strobes and number boards independently of the headlight.

@nightmare0331 For the rear headlight, did you put an SMD LED on the top of the rear weight?

I was thinking about the PA, and had an idea. What if this board had a hole large enough for the decoder to fit into - shaped sort of like a donut? Rather than sitting on top of the mounting board, it sits within it. A small ribbon cable would connect the donut board to the Next18 connector.

Interesting idea. I will take apart one of my PAs again and offer up my other LokSound Micro Next18 to the chassis with the light board removed. However, I'm still concerned there may not be enough depth or width for the decoder due to the plastic motor/pickup clip. There may also be no way to mount a speaker without cutting the weight. I don't have a DCC-ready E-unit, but since those are longer packing everything in may be less of a challenge with your donut-hole decoder board idea.

[Mark5]

I'll do a shameless plug of my sugar cube speakers listed on my eBay listing:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/193674929502   

-S

Thanks, I guess that means 8mm x 12mm 

I think I'll order a pair - I hope you combine shipping 

Mark

[tehachapifan]

Was going to get a couple but the discount for 2 or more didn't register.

[skent]

Thanks, I guess that means 8mm x 12mm 

I think I'll order a pair - I hope you combine shipping 

Yes, definitely!  eBay should handle that, but if it doesn't then just shoot me a message and we can do it outside of PayPal.

Was going to get a couple but the discount for 2 or more didn't register.

Interesting...  Are you referring to the adapter board or the speakers?    You can message me on eBay or through here if you're having trouble and we can get you sorted out.

-S

[tehachapifan]

Interesting...  Are you referring to the adapter board or the speakers?    You can message me on eBay or through here if you're having trouble and we can get you sorted out.

-S

For the board. I also sent a message via eBay.

[skent]

For the board. I also sent a message via eBay.

Very strange!   I've chatted with Wutter and we don't know what caused that... We actually had another customer report similar issues with multiple other eBay listings that we offer so it appears to be some strange eBay bug at the moment.   If you are interested in buying more in the future, then let us know directly and we can provide you with a discount to cover the additional shipping fees that you had to pay.

As a heads up to anyone interested, feel free to reach out to me directly via DM's or via my email (shane@shanekent.com) if you would prefer to purchase these outside of eBay.   We are more than happy to accommodate that if anyone wants.

-S

[tehachapifan]

Very strange!   I've chatted with Wutter and we don't know what caused that... We actually had another customer report similar issues with multiple other eBay listings that we offer so it appears to be some strange eBay bug at the moment.   If you are interested in buying more in the future, then let us know directly and we can provide you with a discount to cover the additional shipping fees that you had to pay.

As a heads up to anyone interested, feel free to reach out to me directly via DM's or via my email (shane@shanekent.com) if you would prefer to purchase these outside of eBay.   We are more than happy to accommodate that if anyone wants.

-S

Thanks for the info! Wutter contacted me via eBay messaging and we straightened it out. Turns out the discount was showing a little further down, so it was my error. I was hanging up on the unit price staying at $19.95 versus the 2 or more price of $17.96 and I didn't look any further. Ugh!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I can't wait to get these.

[Mark5]

So, are folks adding capacitors to these? If so which ones?

Thanks!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Got mine in the mail today. You HAVE to make adapter boards for more engines!

IM F units? Athearn F45/FP45? Arnold U25C? Athearn F59?

Maybe the Kato SD45/45 type of decoder board? Decoder could sit in the rear under the adapter board. You could use a peel-and-stick style speaker on the adapter board itself. It wouldn't have an enclosure, but the sound should be similar to the IM SD40-2 which also lacks an enclosure.

[keeper]

Are these boards currently sold out?

[Kentuckian]

Got mine in the mail today. You HAVE to make adapter boards for more engines!

IM F units? Athearn F45/FP45? Arnold U25C? Athearn F59?

Maybe the Kato SD45/45 type of decoder board? Decoder could sit in the rear under the adapter board. You could use a peel-and-stick style speaker on the adapter board itself. It wouldn't have an enclosure, but the sound should be similar to the IM SD40-2 which also lacks an enclosure.

IDK if there is enough room above the chassis but this is another vote for IM F units. Actually, I have three units I need to do.