ESU Loksound V4.0 Toasted What have I done wrong?)

[Frank Klein]

Hi every one,

just a quick question here.
I have installed multiple ESU Decodes and never toasted one, untill now.
As I would like to learn forn this miss fortune, I would like to get your input.
The decoder is a ESU LokSound V4.0 Micro and installed in a KATO Nscale F B-unit.
To my knowledge the decoder was correct isolated and did make some sound on the track and while searching for a correct decoder number to program the ESU ECOS system, there was a puff of smoke.
The loco must have sit on the track for at least 10 minutes.

Is this decoder ready for the trash or can it be repaired.
Will post a picture of the burned decoder.

Greetings Frank

[peteski]

Frank, looks like one of the Tantalum caps released its "magic smoke"  There are (were) 3 identical caps in that corner of that decoder (the yellow components).  They are marked 107JA (that, as far as I can tell decodes to 100 micro-Farads +-5%, 10V). 

If you are capable of some precision soldering you mightbe able to replace that burned up cap.  Of course you would need to order a replacement (from a supply house such as Digi-Key or Mouser Electronics).

I have not mapped out that decoder's circuitry (yet), but generally speaking those types of caps are used as filter caps for the decoder's internal power supplies.  Why did it go "poof" after several minutes?  Not sure. It could have had a factory defect which caused the failure after some operating time.  Or possibly some other component (liek a voltage regulator) failed causing over-voltage, damaging that cap.

Of course just replacing that cap does not guarantee a fix, but since it is a simple procedure and the replacement part is inexpensive, it could be worth a try.

EDIT:  I did come quick tracing of the connections and that fried cap is hooked up in parallel with the other yellow cap (same value) adjacent to the inductor marked "6R8".  Yet, that one did not burn up.  There is also a diode (black 2-lead component) marked SL also adjacent to that "6R8" inductor.  Can you tell if that diode is damaged?

[reinhardtjh]

If you have a receipt and the purchase is less then two years ago then ESU will probably replace it free or at a very low charge.  Write to Matt Herman at ESU USA in Pennsylvania and he will help.

The ESU V4 (and Select) motor circuitry is supposed to be protected against shorts, so unless you really torture it then it shouldn't ever blow like that.  The audio side is more fragile - don't ever short either speaker wire together or against ground or you'll likely blow the amp.  So Petski is probably right in that based on what it looks like blew up.

[woodone]

Has John said , contact Matt and get a replacement.
I had the same thing happen to me on a install.
On mine I had the loco running but it had dirty wheels and was stumbling.
I put some contact cleaner on the track and was sliding the loco back and forth- BANG!
Removed the cover and saw the same caps blown on my divider.

[jdcolombo]

You don't need to contact Matt first.

Just send the decoder with a copy of your receipt to:

Service Department
ESU LLC
23 Howard Street
Montoursville PA 17754

Tell them what happened in a short note and make sure they have your address for shipping a new decoder back to you.  I just wrap the dead decoder(s) in a sheet of paper with the explanation/address on it, put it in an envelope, and send it first class mail.

Abby Hermann (Matt's wife?  Daughter?  Unrelated?  Don't know) runs the service/customer support group.  You'll get a new decoder from them in 2-3 weeks.

I just sent two in - one from about 14 months ago with a dead audio amp; the other I had just bought and was DOA.  I actually thought their warranty policy was one year, so I sent them a repair fee by check ($35) for the 14-month one, but Abby called and said "no, it's two years; we'll ship you new ones and tear up the check."  And that was that.  Don't try to repair it yourself, or that will void the warranty.

John C.

[woodone]

Abby is Matt’s wife.

[Frank Klein]

Thank,s Guys for the quick info.
I think I won't try to fix it myself, the biggest thing I was wurried about, was that I have made an Install mistake.
I will send it too Germany as that's my neighbouring country.
So you guys helped me to get my install confidence back

Thanks, and greetings from Holland (the Netherlands)

[jdcolombo]

Hi Frank.

Yep - Pennsylvania would be a little out of the way for you

It's almost certainly not your installation.  These things just happen.  I have about a 5% failure rate on ESU LokSound micro decoders.  Sometimes they will work fine right after installation, then just quit for no apparent reason; usually, though, they die immediately or are DOA (dead on arrival).  Usually the problem is just a bad component - like the tantalum cap in your case - that quits working or blows up.  Particularly in the audio amp circuit, which seems to be a bit fragile.

John C.

[Frank Klein]

So I am lucky that the body of that B-unit wasn't put on, so no collateral dammage 

[Jamesn320]

Abby is Matt’s wife.

Yes she is, but she no longer works there.