Scale-Trains doing Tier-4 Gevos....

[ljudice]

WAs it my imagination or did ST say they would consider the C39-8 in N?

[Jbub]

WAs it my imagination or did ST say they would consider the C39-8 in N?

I believe they said they were working on a new engine in N and there was speculation of it being a C39 since they did it in HO. So far everything they've done in N they've done in HO first.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

They all but admitted their next engine will be a C39-8. I can't wait!

Love to hear how Loksound tackles that chunky GE idle.

[ljudice]

They all but admitted their next engine will be a C39-8. I can't wait!

Love to hear how Loksound tackles that chunky GE idle.

Oh my - this would be worth a sound version.

[tehachapifan]

....Love to hear how Loksound tackles that chunky GE idle.

They already have a C39-8 sound file.

[Smike]

With the Tier 4's about to ship in the next week, does anyone know what Lok DCC plug in can be used for non-sound units? 

ST talks about Next18 (assuming that is the type of connector for DCC plug in decorder) 

Another question is does one need to go with Lok given the operating features of Full Throttle on the sound unit?  Paring my IM SD40s with any non lok full throttle has been a PITA.

Thanks!

[nstars]

Next18 is indeed a DCC plug and you can use different brands of decoders like Loksound or Zimo. As far as I know no US decoder manufacture has decoders with Next18 connectors yet.

I have not yet used the Next18 connector, but from what I have heard, there may be a potential issue with it. There seems to be two versions of the connector, Next18 and Next18s. The connector is in both case fiscally the same, but with the Next18 two pins are used for F5 and F6. With the Next18s the same pins are used for a speaker. I understand that installing a decoder with a Next18 connector in a Next18S socket could blow the F5 and F6 functions if there is already a speaker installed. This is already the case in some Bachmann diesels sold in the UK.

Concerning the FT options, if you consist a Locomotive with Loksound with a locomotive without either Loksound or Lokpilot, then you can’t use the FT functions. When you don’t use them, you should have no problem.

Marc

[Smike]

Thanks!

Definitely looking to retain the Full Throttle functions. 

So it looks like the only options is this in Lok non sound decoders with 18 pin option: http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-micro-v40/

It seems the market is slim on these and other non sound 18 pin N scale sized decoders.  Might be a few unhappy customers if they want plug and play DCC (non sound) 

[nstars]

Fortunately the market is not that bad. For non sound there are also the Zimo MX618N18, Uhlenbrock 73235, Bachmann Branchline 36 567 and most likely other manufactures. In first instance you probably have to look for European manufactures, but I assume the US company will follow. Next18is getting more common in Europe. The nice part of the Next18 is the fact that decoder size is standardized, although there is of course a size for the Next18 and for the Next18s.

Marc

[peteski]

Next18 is indeed a DCC plug and you can use different brands of decoders like Loksound or Zimo. As far as I know no US decoder manufacture has decoders with Next18 connectors yet.

I have not yet used the Next18 connector, but from what I have heard, there may be a potential issue with it. There seems to be two versions of the connector, Next18 and Next18s. The connector is in both case fiscally physically the same, but with the Next18 two pins are used for F5 and F6. With the Next18s the same pins are used for a speaker. I understand that installing a decoder with a Next18 connector in a Next18S socket could blow the F5 and F6 functions if there is already a speaker installed. This is already the case in some Bachmann diesels sold in the UK.

Interesting.  I have no first-hand knowledge of the issue, but I'm surprised that connecting an 8 ohm resistor (a speaker) between any decoder's standard function outputs would damage those outputs.   In all the decoders I aver encountered the function output is simply an electronic switch which is either open (function off) or closed (function on).  When the electronic switch is on it just connects decoder's ground to the function's output.  There is no positive voltage in that circuit.  Having two of those electronic switches connected together through a low resistance speaker should not cause damage. (since each switch can only be off or connected to ground).

The only way I see there could be a problem would be if the function outputs were electronic SPDT switches which could connect the function outputs to either ground (on?) or to the positive "blue" voltage (off?).  But I have never seen this type of function circuit in a decoder.

[nstars]

These links will give some background.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/114810-farish-class-40/page-6

On this page you can find in the 4th message the warning from Bachmann. Note, F5 and F6 are at logical level so they can't held much current.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/127492-testing-bachmann-36-567-with-esu-53900-dcc-decoder-tester/#entry2902139

This link gives more background.

Marc

[Englewood]

I got the e-mail from Scaletrains that my engines are in! I hope to have them in hand by next week.

[ek2000]

You beat me to it !! Waiting for my NS GEVO to ship !

[peteski]

These links will give some background.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/114810-farish-class-40/page-6

On this page you can find in the 4th message the warning from Bachmann. Note, F5 and F6 are at logical level so they can't held much current.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/127492-testing-bachmann-36-567-with-esu-53900-dcc-decoder-tester/#entry2902139

This link gives more background.

Marc

Thanks Marc!
So those are logic output functions. Still, there is no definite answer.  I guess it depends on the microcontroller design (used by the decoder manufacturer).  Those logic functions are coming directly from the microcontroller. If those outputs can source and sink current than that could be problematic if those function outputs are shorted. But if they only sunk current and had an internal pullup resistor then that type of outputs could be safely connected together.  Of course, the safest thing is to not have those function outputs connected together.

[James Costello]

Got my in-stock notification and paid too.

I'm still saying @scaletrains - you really need to review your shipping options for international orders, as per the email I sent you upon paying US$85 for priority shipping to Australia (the cheapest option!) for my 4 locomotives. You offer free shipping for orders over $99 in the US - I've just dropped over $800 on product - where's my bone? I know there's a cost difference and I don't expect free shipping, but c'mon. Why not offer  USPS First Class International like has been suggested here in the past?

Anyway, did put this in an email to ST so we'll see what develops - as below:

Whilst I'm excited to see these locomotives produced and think they'll be a fine addition to the market and my model railroad empire, charging $85 to ship these to Australia (as the cheapest option!) is bordering on ridiculous and criminal. I have been buying and shipping N scale products to Australia for over 15 years and your prices are out of line with your competitors and model train retailers. Please review your postage options for future releases.