just received my first LokSound 5 DCC Micro decoder (58820, with 8 pin cable). Here are some photos comparing the new decoder with a Select Micro, for comparison purposes. Initial observations - the entire decoder is encapsulated in the standard ESU "heat shrink wrap", including the cable attachment via the NexT18 connector. This will need to be trimmed for attaching wires to the soldering pads The decoder is a bit "taller", due to the height of the connector board/ribbon. The ribbon cable, itself, is 7.5cms in length (approx the same as the wires on the Select) Dimensions (with heat shrink) Code: mm 5 DCC Micro Select DCC Micro Width 10.65 10.65 Length 21.5 (without connector) 25.2 25.6 Height (max) 4.5 4.0 Comparison photos Full decoders with cables (Upper is V5, lower Select) close up of the connection side. You can see the solder pads available on the top of the ribbon connector, all marked! other side of decoder side view, showing the added depth caused by connector A couple of other quick comments: As we saw in the original manual (new [June] version is available on ESU site), there are no pads available for Aux3/4, but those are logic level outputs only. Aux 5 and 6 are available on the main decoder board (in my photos the 2 left pads at the lower right of the new decoder, below the connector board) and are powered. The right hand pad is marked VCC so not exactly sure what it might be (since the common U+ are all well marked as such). The three pads at the upper side, in my photo) are, left to right, U+, Aux7/PowerPackCharge, GND. The mini-manual which comes in the box shows exactly where to trim the ribbon cable "for free wiring". (One note, the colors on the min-manual for the wiring are a bit off: the "blue" for common looks purplish, while the "violet" for Aux2 is more maroon). I won't get around to doing anything with the decoder for a few days, yet.
Rick, Thanks for the post and info. I don't feel that the V5 is going to work well for diesels, in fact IMHO ESU just broke their pick with a lot of DCC fanatics. I have several non sound Zimos and am very pleased with size and operation. May have to look into their sound and hope they get better USA sound coverage at some point. At any rate thank you for the post, Carl
Carl, I might be in the same space as you, I am very concerned with N scale diesel install. Even something like a Kato PA1 unit has very limited “vertical” space.
Thanks Rick, I think you do installs for folks so I have a question. On the Zimo web page they say the MX649N should fit inside a FVM GP60, GEVO and ES's. This decoder is 23mm in length and I am not sure there is enough space from the factory board plug to the end of the chassis that is long enough to hold the 649. And then the speaker would have to reside in fuel tank area. Any thoughts? Carl
Carl, Have never tried those combinations, so don’t know for sure. Also, don’t have any of those decoders or locos available to check.
If you guys think their is no room in N scale try Z I've bin installing the loksound micro V4 in Z scale loco's, With the V4 their was 0.15 mm clearance between the flywheel and decoder with that connector their is no way it can be made to work.. I have 3 of the 58820's on the way and now that i see this i realise i waisted my money. This new change in with the connector to a ribbon cable makes them way to thick. If anyone is interested they will be listed for Sale or trade for V4 in the Swap Meet section once they arive. I wounder if ESU is aware of the fact that with this new design they may have just Lost the Entire Z scale community as posible customers. David
Rick, does the harness in-plug from the decoder board if shrink is cut back? This is the one reason that I have used the ESU micro select in the past. I prefer Tsunami over the ESU select but the connector on the Tsunami was a killer for installs. I did a few Tsunami’s by cutting off the header connector and soldering wires direct to the decoder board. Of course this voids the warranty. So it is a bit risky. Therefor, I used the ESU. Looks like they have lost that advantage now? I have a new V5 on its way to me, so then I will have one in hand to inspect and try fitting into an N scale diesel loco. Keep you posted. Jerry
Jerry, ESU recommends trimming the ribbon right up next to the green. Then, trim the heat shrink away from any pads needed and direct solder wires. But you don’t get any depth benefit. Dave — I’ve always felt for you Z guys! I laugh when I hear HO guys complain about how hard it is to fit two speakers in.
The height is going to be a problem with some installs. Can’t wait until I can see how the harness is attached to the decoder board. I see heat shrink being removed. Can’t believe the decoder manufactures don’t do more research before releasing a new product. Guessing the engineers are not modelers. Of course the harness cuts down on the cost, machine can mount the harness in an split second. To solder wires will take much longer, and there is an chance for errors. So the bottom line- less cost to produce, more $$ profit.
This is what the decoder looks like without the harness attached (stock ESU photo) I have not found any supply of the Next18 (NEM662) socket not already attached to something. There is one on the LokTester
Well I am going to vent a while. At my age and economic status today I find it hard to justify spending the higher cost for a new sound decoder format. So, I think my days of supporting ESU are behind me. However, I will still do business with Bryan but I will be purchasing from Bryan the non sound, less expensive ZIMO decoders. I have 4 or 5 locos with 621's installed in them. They are KATO's and FVM and they run very well. Smooth, quiet, and dependable. Here we are with a new release from a manufacturer and we, including myself, are thinking how can I change this decoder to fit my needs. Not for me anymore, I am done "fixing" poor quality or design of N scale goodies. What I am really wondering about is what will Kelley do for the GB 4141 ? ? ? Always have fun, Carl
The Select Micro Direct (73100) is still available. He may end up putting those in. Will be interesting to see.
I did find a supply of those sockets (almost 2 Euros each) from Conrad Electronics in Austria. https://www.conrad.com/p/degson-int...xt18&searchType=suggest&searchSuggest=product
Rick, I think that you maybe looking at an 18 pin socket for the regular HO board. I think the micro connector is much smaller. I did receive my decoder yesterday. It is on the programmer right now getting a sound file down loaded into it. One thing I noted- NO steam sound files? What is up with that? As soon has I can test the decoder, I will be taking the plug and 8 pin harness off. See if I can solder wires right to the board to reduce the height.
Ok, I got a sound file loaded into the decoder. I did a test to make sure the decoder worked before I took off the harness plug with its cable to the 8 pin plug. All that I can say is WOW, that socket is small. The solder connections to the board connection points are only 0.50 MM apart . Not all pins are used, but they do use both sides of the socket for the connection to the 8 pin plug. Rick, that photo you posted is very large compared to the actual size of the decoder. Going to lay off the coffee for a while, then see if I can remove the socket and then add some wires, Some of the connections are right next to each other, so it will be a task to solder wires next to one another without getting a solder bridge between them.
Jerry, I believe that is the official ESU photo of the decoder, but the macro/closeup does make everything look a lot bigger than reality
Still looking at how to go about this. Some times it will take me a day or so just thinking how to do something.
Welcome to the Zimo club Carl! I have not done the Zimo sound decoders yet, but I love the 621 and the 622 decoders in my Fox Valley locomotives. I also have then in several Atlas SD60's and the event is a few SD50's and they are just so smooth running! Like you, I am waiting for more American sound files before jumping in there, for now I will stay with ESU because I am only putting sound in my Steamers right now! So the V5 Sound Decoders should be okay there......
