ESU Announces V5 73199 Kato "K1" style, and new Nano Sound Decoders

[peteski]

This all f***ing day.

I hate soldering. I ruin boards trying to solder. The 71300 was easy to solder because the pads were not very close to anything sensitive to heat. I just borked two NCE decoders trying to add class lights. I'm not going to risk that in a $100 board. I'm just not going to use it.

Daniel, I know you are capable of precision quality modeling. Going by the models I see you make I also assume that you have very bright lighting over your workbench, and some sort of good magnifier. Maybe it is not you but your soldering equipment?  What iron do you use, what solder, flux, desoldering braid?

[nightmare0331]

Daniel, I know you are capable of precision quality modeling. Going by the models I see you make I also assume that you have very bright lighting over your workbench, and some sort of good magnifier. Maybe it is not you but your soldering equipment?  What iron do you use, what solder, flux, desoldering braid?

This all day long. 

This sounds more like an equipment and technique issue which can be easily overcome.

On a side note...if you blew up two NCE decoders....did you throw them on a programming track before a live main after the install to see if there were any issues?

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

On a side note...if you blew up two NCE decoders....did you throw them on a programming track before a live main after the install to see if there were any issues?

Daniel's post to me, seems to imply that he physically damaged the decoder (either the solder pads or some nearby components). It really does seem like he might not be using tools precise enough for miniature electronic work. 

[kevlarcat]

I hope the new kato version will also fit the sd80/90, I have alot of those.  From checking the basic dcc drop ins from Digitrax, if it fits the sd70Ace, it should also fit the AC4400, C30-7, Dash9, Gevos(mentioned), 2006+ SD40 series (mentioned), sd70m/mac, and U30C.   That covers most of What modern Kato narrow bodies is out there.  Apparently also some versions of the Athearn f59, f45, and sd70 series too.  I can't wait

[tehachapifan]

I hope the new kato version will also fit the sd80/90, I have alot of those.  From checking the basic dcc drop ins from Digitrax, if it fits the sd70Ace, it should also fit the AC4400, C30-7, Dash9, Gevos(mentioned), 2006+ SD40 series (mentioned), sd70m/mac, and U30C.   That covers most of What modern Kato narrow bodies is out there.  Apparently also some versions of the Athearn f59, f45, and sd70 series too.  I can't wait

I'm curious about the Dash-9 as I had to do a TON of Dremel work on the inside of the shell on one that I put a 73100 board into. This was around the exhaust stack area and I had to remove so much material, I'm concerned about the integrity of the shell in that area now. I never attempted another Dash-9 because of this using that board, so I'm hopeful the new board, or the new Nano, will work much better in it.

[EL3632]

I hope the new kato version will also fit the sd80/90, I have alot of those.  From checking the basic dcc drop ins from Digitrax, if it fits the sd70Ace, it should also fit the AC4400, C30-7, Dash9, Gevos(mentioned), 2006+ SD40 series (mentioned), sd70m/mac, and U30C.   That covers most of What modern Kato narrow bodies is out there.  Apparently also some versions of the Athearn f59, f45, and sd70 series too.  I can't wait

Should also fit the DCC ready SD45, GG1, ACS64, MP36PH, and SDP40F, if the dimensions are right, as well as various non-US prototype locos, such as the Japanese DD51 diesel, and the European Class 66. Fitting speakers in those is a whole different game, though...

[mu26aeh]

Has there been any mention/talk of the LokPilot version of these drop in boards ?

[peteski]

Has there been any mention/talk of the LokPilot version of these drop in boards ?

Good call.

Whether or not it has been mentioned, going by the previous experience with the 73199 LokSound V4 decoder, ESU should be able to easily make LokSound versions of those V5 decoders by partially populating the components on the PC board (leaving all the dedicated sound components off the board).  I sure hope they do that.

[Steveruger45]

Good call.

Whether or not it has been mentioned, going by the previous experience with the 73199 LokSound V4 decoder, ESU should be able to easily make LokSound versions of those V5 decoders by partially populating the components on the PC board (leaving all the dedicated sound components off the board).  I sure hope they do that.

I’m thinking it is just a matter of time before they do too.  After all, there is a market for DCC locos without sound that Kato, atlas etc will probably want to cover as Atlas did with the v4 selects, lokpilots and pure dc.

[perezbill]

I think the new nano decoders will be nice to have as there are some HO scale engines that require very small decoders if you want to DCC and sound. The Bachmann 44 toner is one example.

[TW877]

ESU has just posted the new 2021 catalog on their website (at least on the German site) with some details on the new decoders. LS5 nano dimensions are 19.6 mm x 8.5 mm x 3.2 mm, so that seems to be what a lot of you have hoped for. But why on earth does it have to come with their "standard" 11mm x 15mm speaker which is to large for a lot of smaller N scale applications...

Chris

[TW877]

For those of you that can't wait for more details on the new decoders - here is the link for the catalog (PDF)  http://www.esu.eu/fileadmin/download/brochures/2021/52971_Fruehjahrsneuheiten_EEE_Digital_2021_DE_1.Auflage_eBook.pdf. Only available in German though, so either brush up those skills or ask Google for help

Chris

[tehachapifan]

....LS5 nano dimensions are 19.6 mm x 8.5 mm x 3.2 mm....

I'll be out dancing in the street....and I don't dance.

[peteski]

LS5 nano dimensions are 19.6 mm x 8.5 mm x 3.2 mm, so that seems to be what a lot of you have hoped for.

3.2mm? Is that with or without the wire adapter dongle? 

[jdcolombo]

ESU has just posted the new 2021 catalog on their website (at least on the German site) with some details on the new decoders. LS5 nano dimensions are 19.6 mm x 8.5 mm x 3.2 mm, so that seems to be what a lot of you have hoped for. But why on earth does it have to come with their "standard" 11mm x 15mm speaker which is to large for a lot of smaller N scale applications...

Chris

It may be packaged differently for the US market.  The LokSound 5 micros I've gotten lately don't come with a speaker, which is fine with me.  I suspect this was a decision made by Matt Hermann for the US market.

As for the dimensions, all I can say is "Hallelujah!" 

John C.