Intermountain SD40-2

[AKNscale]

Thats a flipping HUGE improvement!

The S.

Agreed, all of my Atlas/IM locos that I run get that swap.

[nkalanaga]

DFF and Jagged Ben:  Thank you!  I'm too broke to start changing all of my wheels just to get better looking rims, but the deep flanges are a problem.

[Rossford Yard]

Only able to run my new unit a few minutes.  Seems as if it is very sensitive to dirty track, and in a few cases after cleaning the track, a quick push down re-activates it, which I take means it may need a little weight to work its best.

Sound was good, though. Think I will follow those who turn down the prime mover sound a bit.....

[AKNscale]

Only able to run my new unit a few minutes.  Seems as if it is very sensitive to dirty track, and in a few cases after cleaning the track, a quick push down re-activates it, which I take means it may need a little weight to work its best.

Sound was good, though. Think I will follow those who turn down the prime mover sound a bit.....

I've been turning my LOKsounds down to 75 out of 180?, and I like it quite a bit. Still decently loud but not rediculous.

[mu26aeh]

Only able to run my new unit a few minutes.  Seems as if it is very sensitive to dirty track, and in a few cases after cleaning the track, a quick push down re-activates it, which I take means it may need a little weight to work its best.

Sound was good, though. Think I will follow those who turn down the prime mover sound a bit.....

Yes, they do seem to be sensitive to dirty track.

[peteski]

Maybe someone can clarify some confusion for me.

This photo of the decoder was posted earlier in this thread:

20170107_194455[1] by Adam Henry

Looking at the MBK website and the description of this (decoder-equipped) model states: Equipped with ESU LokSound Select Micro with Next18 plug.

That makes no sense to me!  A Next18 plug is an industry standard plug/socket interface which is installed on DC model's circuit board to allow for an easy plug-n-play install of any decoder which comes with a Nex18 plug.Basically same thing as with the 6-pin DCC plug/socket, but just with more pins which allow for extra functions and sound to be passed from the decoder to the DC circuit board.

The confusing part to me is that the Next18 plug is supposedly on the ESU LokSound decoder which is already part of the models circuit board, correct?  So there is not need for a Nex18 interface as the decoder is already part of the locomotive circuit board, right? 

Or do these models have a Next18 plug in them somewhere?  But why would it even be needed?  Or is this just some blind copy/past of ESU's documentation by somebody who doesn't really understand DCC?

[peteski]

Yes, they do seem to be sensitive to dirty track.

We're going to need a bigger boat (keep-alive) cap! 

[reinhardtjh]

Maybe someone can clarify some confusion for me.

Looking at the MBK website and the description of this (decoder-equipped) model states: Equipped with ESU LokSound Select Micro with Next18 plug.

Or do these models have a Next18 plug in them somewhere?  But why would it even be needed?  Or is this just some blind copy/past of ESU's documentation by somebody who doesn't really understand DCC?

IIRC, the original product announcement said there would be a Next18 plug.  Somewhere along the line that was dropped as ESU refined the circuit board and it turned into a drop in style board.  IMRC has not updated it's PR info to change that.  Note that even on the Upcoming InterMountain N Scale Product Releases page (scroll down to the SD40-2 release) it still mentions the Next18 plug.

[mu26aeh]

As far as sound goes, when it encounters a dirty section it just briefly cuts out but comes right back, not start over completely.

I'm wondering if this is a completely new decoder, as nothing like it is listed on ESU website.  Perhaps the planned to use some form of next18 but changed course and never updated information. ( yes, what Reinhardt said )

Write IMRC ion their FB page earlier this week regarding ditch light issue, they've yet to see message or reply.   

[davefoxx]

I'm wondering if this is a completely new decoder, as nothing like it is listed on ESU website.

Yes, that's why it took years to bring the IM SD40-2 to market.  IM wasn't satisfied with an earlier set up and waited for ESU to redesign the new decoder.

DFF

[peteski]

IIRC, the original product announcement said there would be a Next18 plug.  Somewhere along the line that was dropped as ESU refined the circuit board and it turned into a drop in style board.  IMRC has not updated it's PR info to change that.  Note that even on the Upcoming InterMountain N Scale Product Releases page (scroll down to the SD40-2 release) it still mentions the Next18 plug.

Ah, that explains it - thanks!  The Next18 plug is quite popular in . . . Europe, especially with H0 and lager scales. As is the PluX16 and PluX22.

[wcfn100]

Yes, that's why it took years to bring the IM SD40-2 to market.  IM wasn't satisfied with an earlier set up and waited for ESU to redesign the new decoder.

DFF

If I remember what I was told by IM, it was ESU that decided to make a more 'universal' decoder instead of having custom ones for every manufacturer that might need one.  That was the reason for most of the delay.


Jason

[jdcolombo]

As far as sound goes, when it encounters a dirty section it just briefly cuts out but comes right back, not start over completely.

I'm wondering if this is a completely new decoder, as nothing like it is listed on ESU website.  Perhaps the planned to use some form of next18 but changed course and never updated information. ( yes, what Reinhardt said )

Write IMRC ion their FB page earlier this week regarding ditch light issue, they've yet to see message or reply.   

Yes, the board is totally new.   It was custom-designed for Intermountain, but Matt Hermann (head of ESU USA) confirmed that ESU will be using this basic design for a "generic" decoder board that is the same width, but shorter length (no LEDs front or back) that people can use in other split-frame diesels.  My understanding is that it is essentially a Select Micro that has had the components moved around to fit the board length/width.

That photo shows some interesting things.  If you enlarge it, you'll see that at the rear there are pads marked Aux3 and Aux4 and U+ at the rear of the board.  The Aux3 and Aux4 pads presumably could be used to connect additional LED lighting - for example, if you wanted alternating ditch lights (connect one light to Aux3, one to Aux4, and then program the decoder to alternate these lights when a particular function button is pressed).  Or they could be used for a strobe or marker lights or whatever.

The U+ pad is a common positive connection for the auxiliary outputs and also a keep-alive (the equivalent of the blue wire on a wired decoder).  I don't see a negative connection pad, though - perhaps there is one on the other side?  (It would be marked "-" or "GND").  If there is a negative connection pad, then you can add an external keep alive - and I'll bet there is somewhere, because ESU sells its "PowerPack" keep alive, and all the other LokSound decoders (even the Select Micro) have pads to connect it.

Would anyone who has one of these be willing to take and post close-up photos of the top and bottom sides of the sound decoder board?

John C.

[mu26aeh]

Would anyone who has one of these be willing to take and post close-up photos of the top and bottom sides of the sound decoder board?

John C.

Pending.....

[mu26aeh]

As requested, here are some close up photos.

First is a shot of the top of the chassis with decoder removed.  You see 4 contact tabs, 2 are for the motor, other 2 lead to the speaker, located in the fuel tank.

20170113_175346 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

Top of the decoder

20170113_175314 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

Bottom of decoder

2017-01-13_06-18-50 by Adam Henry, on Flickr
I don't see a negative anywhere....