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

[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 just ordered a pair.

[Mark5]

Yes, we can make more depending on how this first batch sells.

@Wutter Looks like it is sold out. Please give us an update when available again (I just ordered speakers  ).

Mark

[RBrodzinsky]

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.

Just adding a LokSound 5 into an IM F unit (with the ESU wired daughter board) requires significant milling of the frame over the motor for the shell to fit properly - I've had to take it down to just about 1mm in depth.

[skent]

@Wutter Looks like it is sold out. Please give us an update when available again (I just ordered speakers  ).

Thanks for the heads up!  This was an issue with the eBay posting.  We still have plenty of these in stock which can be bought from this new posting: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254742082727?ViewItem=&item=254742082727

-S

[keeper]

@skent  But you do not ship outside the US and Canada. Is ebay correct there?

Thomas

[skent]

@skent  But you do not ship outside the US and Canada. Is ebay correct there?

Setting that up in eBay has proven to be a bit of a headache for us.   If you are outside of North America then please ping me directly via DM’s and we can try to figure out our best path forward.   

-Shane

[VonRyan]

YankeeDabbler is now taking orders for these, in anticipation of their imminent arrival at the shop:

https://yankeedabbler.com/wvd-loksound-5-next18-decoder-adapter-board-designed-for-kato-dcc-ready-n-scale-f2-f3-f7-f40ph-and-p42-locomotives/

[Mark5]

Thanks for the heads up!  This was an issue with the eBay posting.  We still have plenty of these in stock which can be bought from this new posting: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254742082727?ViewItem=&item=254742082727

-S

Thanks - order placed. 

[EL3632]

Yankee Dabbler just posted a demo video on their YouTube page:

[Mark5]

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

I assume the answer is NO. 

I just received these boards, so its time to order decoders.

The listing says: LokSound DCC - 58820, 58821, 58823, 58828

Too many choices - which should I get for an F7?

Thanks!

Mark

[Wutter]

I assume the answer is NO. 

I just received these boards, so its time to order decoders.

The listing says: LokSound DCC - 58820, 58821, 58823, 58828

Too many choices - which should I get for an F7?

Thanks!

Mark

Use the 58828, that is just the decoder with no additional harness. The reason why the other P/Ns are listed is if 58828 is out of stock, you can use any of the other ones listed and just unplug the decoder from the harness to plug into the WVD board.

[tehachapifan]

Regarding the Kato SDP40F, I just tried to fit a V5 under the shell and it's a no-go (those $#@& connectors! ) So, no point developing a separate board for those locos (well, unless the connection with the board results in enough of a lower profile).

[nightmare0331]

Regarding the Kato SDP40F, I just tried to fit a V5 under the shell and it's a no-go (those $#@& connectors! ) So, no point developing a separate board for those locos (well, unless the connection with the board results in enough of a lower profile).

You can absolutely fit a wired V5 micro in the SDP40F.  I've done lots of them.  It's a bit tight and things have to be positioned just right, but completely doable.

I'll build one up and post pictures within a day or two as I have a few waiting in que anyways but I have quite a few things in front of them.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[tehachapifan]

You can absolutely fit a wired V5 micro in the SDP40F.  I've done lots of them.  It's a bit tight and things have to be positioned just right, but completely doable.

I'll build one up and post pictures within a day or two as I have a few waiting in que anyways but I have quite a few things in front of them.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

Hmmm. How is that possible? I've fiddled and fussed for over an hour, even removing the rear internal nubs and it's not even close to fitting. And I've put a Select Micro in a (modified) LL SW1200 before a la Jim Starbuck). Looking forward to seeing pics if you've pulled it off somehow.

Edit: FWIW, I have put an older 73800 Select Micro in a Kato SDP40F before.

Also worth mentioning, I am leaving the original (modified) light board in the SDP40F with this attempt, so not sure if that's where you may be gaining clearance.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

Use the 58828, that is just the decoder with no additional harness. The reason why the other P/Ns are listed is if 58828 is out of stock, you can use any of the other ones listed and just unplug the decoder from the harness to plug into the WVD board.

58818 LokSound 5 micro DCC/MM/SX/M4 "blank decoder", Next18, with Speaker 11x15mm also works. However, because of the extra protocols it supports that many users don't need, it's a more expensive option than buying the 58828 decoder + 50321 speaker kit separately.