I need an NEM651 decoder crammed with functions

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I'm finally building my AEM-7 Meatball. Chassis is an adapted Fleischmann 736503, which is an OBB Rh 1043. These were the basis for the real AEM-7, so I figured it would be a good starting point. Along the many, many issues I have with this chassis, is the small slot for an NEM651 decoder. The measurements are 9MMw X 8MMh and 2.8MM thick. There are a few decoders that will fit.

But I want to operate an extended light package:
Front marker lights
Rear marker lights
Front L strobe
Front R strobe
Rear L strobe
Rear R strobe

That makes for 8 total functions when you include the headlights.

Will anything fit? There are additional pockets, but I want to pack these areas with tungsten rod so I can get rid of the traction tires and ugly flanged wheels.

Also who thought a slot car motor is in any way appropriate for a high quality, expensive model?

[peteski]

Fleischmann is an old-school company, so they use old-school technology (motors). They might be old, but they run fairly well.  Sometimes when Fleischmann redesigns a chassis for a loco, they use more modern motors, but most are still old school open-frame motors.

If you want a small decoder with 8 functions which also has the 6-pin interface, I would forget about it.

Even the ESU LokPilot nano decoder doesn't have 8 power function outputs (some of the functions are logic only).  I think some of their larger scale decoders have 10 (or 12 if headlights are counted) power outputs, but all the smaller decoders have fewer than 6 (and some are logic level outputs).  Same with Zimo decoders. I haven't looked at Digitrax, TCS, NCE or Soundtraxx.  Maybe you can shoehorn one of the larger scale decoder into this wide body model.

You didn't mention sound, so I assume it is silent decoder.  One thing that might work is to install a standard NEM651 decoder (like LokPilot micro) in the socket, then also wire in a LokPilotFX micro for the additional functions (since ESU decoders can map any function to any outputs). These are small decoders (8.0 x 7.0 x 2.9mm)

[Sumner]

Streamlined Backshop has some boards that will turn the logic functions into usable function outputs.

https://sbs4dcc.com/products/sbs4dcc-aux-3-4-logic-level-function-amplifier-board.html

I have some but haven't tried them yet so can't comment on how well/easy they work but looks fairly straight forward.  Looks like they are back-ordered now though 

Sumner

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Ok, so all those functions are off the table. How would you guys approach this? Usually, I would just skip most of the rear lights on Amtrak engines because they are always either pushing a train or pulling it, never a$$ first. But this is a dual cab engine.

I could wire the strobes together, but I don't recall ever seeing them in sync. Or I could fully populate one end with a light package, but then I would always have to use that end facing away from the train.

[peteski]

While you can assign strobe effect to more than one function output, I don't think you can make them flash off-sync.  Also the flashing frequency setting applies to all the lighting effects. That is one of the weak things about today's decoders (which with the current level of decoder technology should be easy to have either individual flashing frequency setting for each lighting effect, or at least 2 separate ones).  The only possibility would be to use alternate phase, but that will just alternately flash them, always in-sync.

To get what you want you might have to use some other flashing circuits (like one from N-ginering or Richmond Control).