New atlas SD-9 Decoder

[ridinshotgun]

Yes, that is the ESUs E24 connector. No need to search for a "bare" LokSound 5 nano decoder. You can buy the wire lead version, or even the Kato widebody decoder then simply pull the nano decoder off those (both of those decoders are combos consisting of the nano decoder on an adapter board), then just plug it into this Atlas loco.  The price of a bare nano decoder vs. the ones I mention is only couple of dollars.

But if you don't want sound decoder then unfortunately ESU does not make a LokPilot decoder with a E24 connector.

With LokSound 5 nano ESU decided to have a universal decoder which will be sold in  multiple format adapter boards (for N and H0).

Too bad Atlas decided to severed their relationship with ESU. IMO, Tsunami doesn't even come close to the functionality of ESU LokSound decoders.

Well that kind of sucks then.  I really didn't want sound for various reasons and why I bought the dc version so I could just put in a dcc controller.

Does anyone make a E24 dcc only board that fits in a narrow body?  I don't see any from zimo who wold be my second choice.

ETA it looks like the Euros can get a lokpilot with the E24.  Wonder why we can't get it here?

https://www.elriwa.de/ESU-59925-LokPilot-5-Nano-E24-DCC/A324895

[peteski]

Well that kind of sucks then.  I really didn't want sound for various reasons and why I bought the dc version so I could just put in a dcc controller.

Does anyone make a E24 dcc only board that fits in a narrow body?  I don't see any from zimo who wold be my second choice.

Nope. At this point E25 is ESU-proprietary connector.  I heard that they are attempting to incorporate it into DCC standard, but at this point I'm not aware of whether this happened, or of any other manufacturers producing any decoders with e24 interface.  So yes, in your case it is not the best solution.

I suppose someone could make  E24 to Next18 adapter, but that would really be a kludge, and add quite a bit of thickness to the install (and double the chances of connector issues).

[peteski]

ETA it looks like the Euros can get a lokpilot with the E24.  Wonder why we can't get it here?

Likely because no American prototype models came from the factory with factory light board with E24 connector. Why sell something here that nobody will buy. As far as I know, this is the first ever American prototype model made by American company with that connector.

[ridinshotgun]

Well I am just about the cancel my reservations with atlas for the Sd45 if it is going to be this much of an issue to get a decoder that fits that isn't sound.  They have been oh so coy about what they are putting in them and I've asked twice about it in person.  All I wanted to know on them would it have the ability to plug in a nonsound decoder in place of the dc board and they couldn't even give a straight answer to that.  They sure didn't make it clear that this was going to be an E24 connection so i have a feeling that the sd45 will be a pain to install a nonsound decoder too.

Seems like that 59925 lokpilot isn't even listed on their site and no one in Europe has them in stock.  Wonder if they discontinued it or if it is some release that is coming out?  I don't have an issue of getting them in Europe but wondering what the deal is with the decoder.

[peteski]

Earlier in this thread Doug mentioned that the SD45 will use a Tsunami decoder.  No idea if it will be custom made board with the decoder built-in, or will it be a DC board with some sort of a connector (no idea which)?

Ah, so the 59925 *IS* a LokPilot decoder with E24 interface.  I had no idea ESU was making those.  I guess it makes sense.   Hey, at least there is hope that those LokPilots will eventually become available stateside.

[ridinshotgun]

Earlier in this thread Doug mentioned that the SD45 will use a Tsunami decoder.  No idea if it will be custom made board with the decoder built-in, or will it be a DC board with some sort of a connector (no idea which)?

Ah, so the 59925 *IS* a LokPilot decoder with E24 interface.  I had no idea ESU was making those.  I guess it makes sense.   Hey, at least there is hope that those LokPilots will eventually become available stateside.

Yes that is the one thing they will say that it will be soundtraxx.  But they either can't or won't say if you order a dc version if you can put a non-sound decoder in.  Not if it will have a mother board like the sd-9 with a replaceable dummy board or a whole drop in board like the ESU board that has the speaker in the tank.  And for sure not what kind of connector they are using if a mother board.

Look I get it they had issues with ESU but they don't have to provide trade secrets here.  Either tell us it will be able to accept some type of standard connection or no sorry it will be proprietary.   But no they won't and no one will know exactly what is happening until it is too late when they are in hand kind of like these Sd-9s. 

[peteski]

Look I get it they had issues with ESU but they don't have to provide trade secrets here.  Either tell us it will be able to accept some type of standard connection or no sorry it will be proprietary.   But no they won't and no one will know exactly what is happening until it is too late when they are in hand kind of like these Sd-9s. 

I agree that the lack of information is just not cool.

[milw156]

Putting in a wired lokpilot (seem to be kinda scarce right now tho...) using this method  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56681.0 by @Gary Hindshaw should take all of 15 minutes. not a drop in, but pretty close, assuming the LEDs are the "right" color. You will probably spend more time cutting the wires to length and stripping them than soldering!

[ridinshotgun]

Putting in a wired lokpilot (seem to be kinda scarce right now tho...) using this method  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=56681.0 by @Gary Hindshaw should take all of 15 minutes. not a drop in, but pretty close, assuming the LEDs are the "right" color. You will probably spend more time cutting the wires to length and stripping them than soldering!

Yeah that would be great if this had a simple light board like a kato but if you looked at the pictures on the first page it is not as simple or easy as what Gary did.  Kind of the whole purpose of having standardized connectors (and why we pay more for stuff like that) is that we don't have to cobble stuff together. 

Face it Atlas dropped the ball here on several fronts and they won't even admit to it in a response to my email I sent to them about the issue and their failure to provide simple information.  I mean hey the Sd-9 may be a winner if you only run DC or want sound but right now I wouldn't know since there isn't an option that allows me to run the handful of locomotives I now have sitting on my bench.  At least they finally provided that the Sd45 will have a next18 connector but no response at all to the SD-9 issue.

The SD45 will have a next 18 socket, it will be equipped from the factory with a soundtrax decoder as the ESU was a little too wide to fit.

I have tried the sample with a NCE next 18 and it worked fine. The trainmaster will also use the E24 interface.

I will find out if anyone else has plans on making one (NCE Digitrax TCS ect)

[peteski]

Well, since you did educated me that ESU 59925 is a LokPilot decoder with E24 connector which is not currently available, how about contacting ESU LLC (in USA) and asking of they know when it will be available at the local dealers.    Solution to your problem is almost here.  We in N scale are used to long waits for things we want. This is just one of those things.

I seem to recall we all had to wait for the Loksound 5 decoders to come out (chip shortages?) Even now, the entire decoder availability is spotty.  But the same goes for even mundane grocery items.  I've been looking for Dove Minis ice cream. They are very hard to find for several months. They have been unavailable at all the different supermarkets I looked for them, and recently there I found a small batch - it sold out almost instantly. And now they are not in stock anymore again.

[ridinshotgun]

I've got an inquiry out to ESU but they were not as fast as Atlas!   

If they respond I'll post it.

[GM50 4164]

Just installed a Nano into my SD7 and man is it ever loud. I honestly thought it would be a tad less so but I guess it is in a decent enclosure. I was expecting it to be about as bad as some of the less expensive sound decoders with the speakers on the board! Only thing I really see as a drawback is that the Nano motherboard isn't being used so there is no easy way to add a Power Keeper to it.

[Cajonpassfan]

Just installed a Nano into my SD7 and man is it ever loud. I honestly thought it would be a tad less so but I guess it is in a decent enclosure. I was expecting it to be about as bad as some of the less expensive sound decoders with the speakers on the board! Only thing I really see as a drawback is that the Nano motherboard isn't being used so there is no easy way to add a Power Keeper to it.

CV 63 is your friend. I set mine between 70 and 100, depending on loco and speaker/enclosure. YMMV.
Agreed about the power keeper...
Otto K.

[ridinshotgun]

Well, since you did educated me that ESU 59925 is a LokPilot decoder with E24 connector which is not currently available, how about contacting ESU LLC (in USA) and asking of they know when it will be available at the local dealers.    Solution to your problem is almost here.  We in N scale are used to long waits for things we want. This is just one of those things.

I seem to recall we all had to wait for the Loksound 5 decoders to come out (chip shortages?) Even now, the entire decoder availability is spotty.  But the same goes for even mundane grocery items.  I've been looking for Dove Minis ice cream. They are very hard to find for several months. They have been unavailable at all the different supermarkets I looked for them, and recently there I found a small batch - it sold out almost instantly. And now they are not in stock anymore again.

I got a response back from ESU and basically they said that it is a future product with no date for production at this time.  IF and when they get an update they will provide more info.

[nstars]

And the worst part is that an E24 connector is not part of the DCC standard, the Next18 is. For me a missed opportunity.

Marc