Loksound 5 Nano

[RBrodzinsky]

The revised connector board is in direct response to calls for a ground connection from our community, so that we can attach stay alive packs.  When the original Nano was released in Europe earlier this year, there were many complaints about the lack of that connection.

[trainzluvr]

The revised connector board is in direct response to calls for a ground connection from our community, so that we can attach stay alive packs.  When the original Nano was released in Europe earlier this year, there were many complaints about the lack of that connection.

I see, but did they really need to make it 3x larger though?

[RBrodzinsky]

I see, but did they really need to make it 3x larger though?

Agree, that part is very disappointing

[tehachapifan]

Meanwhile, Zimo now has a "Nano" sound decoder measuring in at 10 x 14 x 2.6mm with, if I'm looking at it correctly, the wires soldered directly to the board (no bulky connector). Not sure if these measurements are with or without shrink wrap on (haven't seen one in person yet). Now, if only Zimo would put more effort into their American sound catalog!

...don't get me wrong, I'm a die-hard ESU fan and have largely adopted ESU sound decoders as a standard on my layout, but I do have a handful of switcher locos, some with sound and some without, where I used Zimo's because they were the smallest available at the time. I would say the motor control and the sound quality of the Zimo's is on par with ESU....if the sound file is good (some are way better than others, judging from the samples). Zimo's also don't have drive-hold capabilities AFAIK. Also, this Zimo Nano board being 10mm wide is 1mm wider than the MX649 I put into a couple of Atlas MP15Dc's and, as I recall, was a really tight fit and I may have even had to take the wrapper off. So, the Zimo Nano might not work in some applications either.

[trainzluvr]

I wish there were more Zimo users and resellers in North America, as that would probably drive higher availability of sound files.

But, can't wait on that to (ever) happen, and while I have a mix of decoders right now, I would most likely standardize on ESU.

[nstars]

Meanwhile, Zimo now has a "Nano" sound decoder measuring in at 10 x 14 x 2.6mm with, if I'm looking at it correctly, the wires soldered directly to the board (no bulky connector). Not sure if these measurements are with or without shrink wrap on (haven't seen one in person yet). Now, if only Zimo would put more effort into their American sound catalog!

...don't get me wrong, I'm a die-hard ESU fan and have largely adopted ESU sound decoders as a standard on my layout, but I do have a handful of switcher locos, some with sound and some without, where I used Zimo's because they were the smallest available at the time. I would say the motor control and the sound quality of the Zimo's is on par with ESU....if the sound file is good (some are way better than others, judging from the samples). Zimo's also don't have drive-hold capabilities AFAIK. Also, this Zimo Nano board being 10mm wide is 1mm wider than the MX649 I put into a couple of Atlas MP15Dc's and, as I recall, was a really tight fit and I may have even had to take the wrapper off. So, the Zimo Nano might not work in some applications either.

I have several Zimo decoders and motor control is better than ESU. Yesterday I just bought 2 new MS decoders from Zimo in Dortmund. One of them was the MS500 and the other is the MS490. This last one could be an interesting alternative when the MS500 is too wide. The MS490 is 19 x 8.6 x 2.9 mm.

Marc

[tehachapifan]

I have several Zimo decoders and motor control is better than ESU. Yesterday I just bought 2 new MS decoders from Zimo in Dortmund. One of them was the MS500 and the other is the MS490. This last one could be an interesting alternative when the MS500 is too wide. The MS490 is 19 x 8.6 x 2.9 mm.

Marc

There's also the MX660 that measures in at 42.3 x 9.6 x 2.5mm. I've used this one in a couple installs but they must have snuck the MS490 by me when I wasn't looking I guess (although that one is probably a tad too tall for the loco where I used the MX660).

[peteski]

Bryan at the Streamlined Backshop carries a full range of ZIMO decoders and accessories (along with ESU, and other brands) and has real-time inventory on the website.   Recommended!

https://store.sbs4dcc.com/dcc-mobiledecoders.aspx

[nstars]

There's also the MX660 that measures in at 42.3 x 9.6 x 2.5mm. I've used this one in a couple installs but they must have snuck the MS490 by me when I wasn't looking I guess (although that one is probably a tad too tall for the loco where I used the MX660).

I also have a couple of engines with the MX660, but the MS490 is a tad thicker, but a lot smaller. And it's one of the new 16 versions. If there are more people interested in these decoders, we should try to contact some of the shound creators. In the past I have spoken with Heinz Däppen who has made US sound files in the past. Maybe we could get him to work on some of those?

Marc

[woodone]

Peteski,
I sent you and e-mail about a ESU Micro V5 decoder adaptor.
Might look in junk mail?
was looking for your thoughts.

[trainzluvr]

My friends, ESU Europe came through!

Here are the specs for the Nano connector with a pinout configuration.

I've also mentioned to their support about our "beef" with the new connector board making the whole thing thicker and wider as well.

Looking at this connector detail, I think it might be possible to desolder the connector and attach wires directly to the board, although these wires would have to be magnet wire so that they can fit the 0.35mm pitch. Not sure until I can try, but need to get my hands on one of these first...

[reinhardtjh]

That's terrific!

Molex 5050702422 Connector Plug 24P SMD

Molex: https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/pcb_headers/5050702422
  Spec Sheet: https://www.molex.com/webdocs/datasheets/pdf/en-us/5050702422_PCB_HEADERS.pdf
  Drawing: https://www.molex.com/pdm_docs/sd/5050702422_sd.pdf
  3D image: http://www.molex.com/pdm_docs/adobe3D/505070-2422.pdf

Digikey: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/molex/5050702422/9693946

Mouser: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Molex/505070-2422?qs=%2Fha2pyFadujVApFX8fN2PM%2FQyrihXW5P8m%2Ffy1%2FIC73hCZW4Cek8Gg%3D%3D

[trainzluvr]

Remember this is the Nano side of the pair.

If we are going to make our own connector boards, we need the Receptacle portion, so probably this one:

CONN RCPT 24POS SMD GOLD 5050662422

[RBrodzinsky]

Very nice!

[reinhardtjh]

Remember this is the Nano side of the pair.

If we are going to make our own connector boards, we need the Receptacle portion, so probably this one:

CONN RCPT 24POS SMD GOLD 5050662422

Okay. I interpreted the "Connector for Mainboard" to mean what was on the adapter.  But that makes sense that the decoder would be considered the mainboard.

USPS has my Nanos out for delivery today so I should be able to see in person tonight.

According to the Product Guide the receptacle can be either 505066-2422 or 505270-2422 but the 505066 is thinner so hopefully that one will work.

Product Guide: https://www.content.molex.com/dxdam/64/64dacd1b-6371-4b7d-86bd-69d35db12ace/987651-8281.pdf