Speaker Polarity- ESU Loksound 5 micro direct (Kato board)

[peteski]

I'm looking for a ESU programmer here in Calgary to solve the immediate problem (well, the loco runs like a Swiss watch so it is merely an aggravation). I'm still not convinced that it is worth getting my own but we'll see.  Thanks for all your input everyone, I wish I had known all of this before starting down this path.  My other loco in need of DCC will get a TCS decoder- why ESU can't put out a Lokpilot 5 Kato board?

I can think of at least one TRW member in Canada - maybe more. Not sure of the exact region.  But mailing decoder within the country should net be much of a problem or expense (assuming someone is willing to program it for you).

ESU makes  couple V5 plug-n-play decoders for Kato locos.

https://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-micro-dcc-kato/
https://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-micro-dcc-kato-usa/
https://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-micro-dcc-kato-usa-widebody/ (due to vertical clearance, this one might not fit all the models which use that style light board).
Then there is https://store.sbs4dcc.com/WVDESULokSound5MicroNEM662Next18AdapterBoardforKatoF2F3F7FP7F40PHP42.aspx (same disclaimer as above).

[Scottl]

I was connected to someone in Calgary that can help me program it.  The challenge is that mailing anything in a package in Canada is basically a minimum of $15-20 each way so it was local or not at all.  I'm fortunate to have found a willing offer to help.

All of those links are to drop in models for Kato are Loksound 5.  I spent quite a while waiting for a Lokpilot 5 (motor and lights only) model after the Kato narrow body direct Loksound came out last year. 

There is a Lokpilot 4 (54650) that *might* fit a Kato hood unit but I need to compare the measurements carefully http://www.sbs4dcc.com/images/ESU_54650_LokPilot_V4.0_Direct_Micro_Keep_Alive_Images.pdf. According to SBS4DCC it is out of production but it seems to still be available.  If it were a drop-in fit I would choose this over TCS, but I won't modify the frame of the locomotive to make it work.  Just my own line in the sand.

[peteski]

Sorry - I overlooked the fact that you are looking for LokPilot, not LokSound.  Yes, back in V4 days, ESU depopulated a LokSound decoder to  make it a LokPilot decoder.  I agree that it would be nice if they did something similar with V5 decoders.

But for N scale  V5 wired LokPolot boards are so small that one can easily wire one to the existing Kato Light board.  Or for the the WVD adapter from Streamlined backshop with Next18 connector can host a Next18 LopPilot V5 decoder.  But check the vertical  clearance.

[Scottl]

Now that I did a little bit of soldering for the Loksound install, installing a Lokpilot nano onto the Kato board would probably be fairly easy.  I might try that on my other Kato ES44 unit that needs a decoder.

[peteski]

Now that I did a little bit of soldering for the Loksound install, installing a Lokpilot nano onto the Kato board would probably be fairly easy.  I might try that on my other Kato ES44 unit that needs a decoder.

That's the spirit!  You won't regret it (you know how good the ESU motor control is).

[Scottl]

No question that my experience with ESU decoders has been A+.  The Loksound 5 decoder in question ran perfectly smooth from the first use on a brand new locomotive that has sat in my cache for two years.  I gave up on some of the other brands of decoder years ago when I first used ESU.

I'm definitely going the route of a Lokpilot 5 micro wired version in my next Kato ES44.  After studying the ESU documentation, I think it should be quite straightforward.  And the decoders are very reasonably priced (~$30), something you don't hear very much in this hobby!

[peteski]

No question that my experience with ESU decoders has been A+.  The Loksound 5 decoder in question ran perfectly smooth from the first use on a brand new locomotive that has sat in my cache for two years.  I gave up on some of the other brands of decoder years ago when I first used ESU.

I'm definitely going the route of a Lokpilot 5 micro wired version in my next Kato ES44.  After studying the ESU documentation, I think it should be quite straightforward.  And the decoders are very reasonably priced (~$30), something you don't hear very much in this hobby!

Yes, the wiring is no different than of any other brand of a wired decoder. Typical 7 wires for a standard install.  And as you mentioned, the price is on par with decoders that are not as good.