New ESU 58741 V5 'Kato USA' board video

[nightmare0331]

Hi All

Since I realize some of you aren't on the book of faces, here is a 5 minute video I slapped together early this morning showcasing a production sample of the new ESU 58741 V5 'Kato USA' board in a Kato SD40-2 mid.

It's a bit rough as I did it all in one take.

Anywhoo...have a fantastic day!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[peteski]

That is a great development!  A top quality ESU decoder that is plug-n-play for the Kato narrow hood diesels. To me this is a home run. I'm sure many other Kato fans feel the same way. I suspect that you were likely very involved in getting the ball rolling - thanks Kelley! 

[dem34]

At work so I can't see the vid but I assume with a little modding you could easily retro this board to Atlas Split frames as well right?

[reinhardtjh]

At work so I can't see the vid but I assume with a little modding you could easily retro this board to Atlas Split frames as well right?

Some of them.  Take a look at Spookshow's site for the particular model you're interested in and see what the top of the chassis looks like.  The easy ones will have a center section that is open or at least thin and easy to cut/grind/mill away.




This DCC ready GP7/9 is an example of one that might be a little harder. That section above the motor is going to have to be removed to make way for the area that the Kato motor contacts are.

*

And, the RS1 and RS3 aren't even close:

*
*

Anyway, that's the issue with Atlas chassis.

*Thanks to the Spookshow.Net site for the chassis pictures.

[peteski]

While that new decoder for Kato  could be used in other locos, ESU also makes another narrow-hood decoder that might be a better fit for some non-Kato locos.  What makes this one useful is that it is pretty much plug-n-play for many Kato diesels (where the other ESU decoder required Kato chassis modifications).  I also hope that in time ESU will make LokPilot version of this decoder for non-sound ESU installs.

[Southern1970]

Some of them.  Take a look at Spookshow's site for the particular model you're interested in and see what the top of the chassis looks like.  The easy ones will have a center section that is open or at least thin and easy to cut/grind/mill away.

 the RS1 and RS3 aren't even close:

With a bit of milling would the newer atlas rs2 work with this kato board?

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/llrs2.html

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/files/rs2compare.JPG

[Super_G]

It looks like these would work in the Athearn SD70 series of locomotives as well as FVM locomotives, like what Kelly had stated in the video. My wallet is not going to like this release of decoders... (nervously looks at all of the FVM, Kato, and Athearn locomotives that can be converted now...)

[reinhardtjh]

With a bit of milling would the newer atlas rs2 work with this kato board?

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/llrs2.html

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/files/rs2compare.JPG

It's hard to tell, but I think the spacing of the opening would work okay.  There should be little or none that needs to be removed.

[ednadolski]

Do/Will they come with the PB motor contacts?

[carlso]

Thanks Kelley for the video and comments. I think ESU has hit a home run with this decoder and feel like it will be a big seller for them. I just hope they make enough.

[conrad]

I have two Kato model no. 176-3401/2 CSX C44-9W locos purchased back in June 1997.  In February 2009, I installed a MRC sound decoder in each one.  One lasted for nine years (blew up in 2018) - replaced with a TCS K1D4 non-sound decoder.  The other MRC decoder is still running, knock on wood.

Now looks like the time to upgrade both to the new ESU 58741 V5 Kato USA board.  Question is: will they fit?

Kelley does mention that they fit the SD70MAC, which, according to SpookShow, is pretty much identical to the Dash 9.  I sure could use an update to the great Peteski’s post on march, 2018: “ESU decoders LokSound 73199, 73100 and LokPilot 54650 decoded”.  His included dimensional pictures were really helpful in my previous builds.  In fact, I made paper templates from the data to insure the 73100’s fit.  I also used the templates as a gauge during chassis filing.

Per Ednadolski, I don’t think the decoders come with the PB motor contacts.  The photo/drawing on ESU’s website does not show the motor contacts.  Maybe Kelley can clarify this.

Conrad

[peteski]

I have two Kato model no. 176-3401/2 CSX C44-9W locos purchased back in June 1997.  In February 2009, I installed a MRC sound decoder in each one.  One lasted for nine years (blew up in 2018) - replaced with a TCS K1D4 non-sound decoder.  The other MRC decoder is still running, knock on wood.

Now looks like the time to upgrade both to the new ESU 58741 V5 Kato USA board.  Question is: will they fit?

Kelley does mention that they fit the SD70MAC, which, according to SpookShow, is pretty much identical to the Dash 9.  I sure could use an update to the great Peteski’s post on march, 2018: “ESU decoders LokSound 73199, 73100 and LokPilot 54650 decoded”.  His included dimensional pictures were really helpful in my previous builds.  In fact, I made paper templates from the data to insure the 73100’s fit.  I also used the templates as a gauge during chassis filing.

Per Ednadolski, I don’t think the decoders come with the PB motor contacts.  The photo/drawing on ESU’s website does not show the motor contacts.  Maybe Kelley can clarify this.

Conrad

I have not purchased any of those new Kato -specific decoders - sorry.  I would guess that they have dimensions identical to the original Kato light board they replace.  I also believe that the motor contacts are to be popped off the Kato light board and snapped onto the decoder (since those are not soldered).

[nightmare0331]

I have two Kato model no. 176-3401/2 CSX C44-9W locos purchased back in June 1997.  In February 2009, I installed a MRC sound decoder in each one.  One lasted for nine years (blew up in 2018) - replaced with a TCS K1D4 non-sound decoder.  The other MRC decoder is still running, knock on wood.

Now looks like the time to upgrade both to the new ESU 58741 V5 Kato USA board.  Question is: will they fit?

Kelley does mention that they fit the SD70MAC, which, according to SpookShow, is pretty much identical to the Dash 9.  I sure could use an update to the great Peteski’s post on march, 2018: “ESU decoders LokSound 73199, 73100 and LokPilot 54650 decoded”.  His included dimensional pictures were really helpful in my previous builds.  In fact, I made paper templates from the data to insure the 73100’s fit.  I also used the templates as a gauge during chassis filing.

Per Ednadolski, I don’t think the decoders come with the PB motor contacts.  The photo/drawing on ESU’s website does not show the motor contacts.  Maybe Kelley can clarify this.

Conrad

I specifically mentioned in the video they will fit in the C44-9W.  (Kato C44-9W, AC4400, ES44AC and SD70MAC all share the same frames although the dies were modified when the AC4400's came out for narrower contact strips and for frame detail.  This won't affect installs, but if you're swapping frames from different runs around it gets a bit more complicated)

No idea if these will come with motor contacts at this point.  Originally ESU was going to do them, then they weren't, then they were then global issues, etc.

I'll be more happy with the boards just showing up.  I can work around no motor clips.  They can either be pulled off of the stock light boards or ordered from Kato if one needs a set.

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[conrad]

Kelley

My apologies.  These old ears missed the "C44" several times.  Also I've always called the C44-9W the Dash 9 and  forgot the C44 part.  Lesson learned.

Conrad

[dangerboy81]

Any chance we could see the bottom of the board? I assume that is where the speaker solder pads are, but I wonder if the motor tabs on Atlas and Intermountain stand a chance of lining up with the motor pads on the other side, if it has any. I am not afraid to cut a frame to make room for sound, but I would like not to have to solder the motor tabs to the decoder. The 58721 has been a bit frustrating for me.