New LokSound V.5 replaces Select, old V.4

[RBrodzinsky]

Sorry about the tweezers - should have noted them

[nstars]

The best solution would be that manufacturers will use the Next18 in future releases, but this won’t be ofany help for older rolling stock. Perhaps the adapter plate I saw on a site back home could be of any help.

https://www.dtswebshop.nl/d-h-aansluitadapter-next18-klein.html

Marc

[peteski]

The best solution would be that manufacturers will use the Next18 in future releases, but this won’t be ofany help for older rolling stock. Perhaps the adapter plate I saw on a site back home could be of any help.

https://www.dtswebshop.nl/d-h-aansluitadapter-next18-klein.html

Marc

That is exactly the problem.  In the past they offered wired decoders, and ones with built-in connectors for plug-n-play installs, using the same PC board for both.  If you look at the V4 decoder with wires, it has the solder pads for Next18 connector unpopulated.  But with V5 they just decided to only offer it in the Next18 connector versions, adding a dongle for wired in installs.  I suspect that is why the v5 decoder is shorter (no solder pads for the wires).  Maybe they did that because they weren't selling many wired decoders compared to ones with Next18 connector?

But yes, especially with American N scale, there are still lots of models which will be utilizing wired installs. We have not embraced Next18 like Europeans have. And there still are lots of older, non DCC friendly, out there.

[jdcolombo]

. . .

Still, it will fit any loco that you could get a select micro/V4 in at least.

Well, maybe not.  On several of my Atlas first-gen hood diesel installs (RS3, RS-11, GP9), I placed the Select Micro wired decoder at an upward angle, using the very thin end to hang over the motor area, and placing the thick end on the "shelf".   Here is an example (this is an Atlas C420):



This photo shows how I milled down the frame for this particular install:



There's not enough room above the motor mount for the new V5 to fit with the Next 18 connector in this scenario.

Now, it might be possible to fit the new V5 entirely on the back shelf and still have room for a speaker; I'd have to get one of these in my hands and see if that would work.  And it is also true that one of the board decoders might work in this application, avoiding the need for a wired decoder.  But I don't think it is correct that the V5 will fit in every situation that a Select Micro wired would fit in . . .

John C.

[RBrodzinsky]

For those interested, this is the stock ESU photo of the connector side of the decoder without harness attached

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I have never been able to find a source of the unmounted Next18 (NEM662) sockets. For those with a LokTester, there is one on it

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Correction: the raw connector is available from Conrad Electronics, in Austria: https://www.conrad.com/p/degson-interface-socket-ct0519s-total-number-of-pins-18-contact-spacing-050-mm-ct0519s-10-2x09p-1-pcs-1327407?searchTerm=Next18&searchType=suggest&searchSuggest=product

[GM50 4164]

Could we perhaps un-solder the Next 18 female connector from the board and then just solder wires from there? I know that the board is tiny and that the pads would be tiny as well. Just a thought.

[reinhardtjh]

Correction: the raw connector is available from Conrad Electronics, in Austria: https://www.conrad.com/p/degson-interface-socket-ct0519s-total-number-of-pins-18-contact-spacing-050-mm-ct0519s-10-2x09p-1-pcs-1327407?searchTerm=Next18&searchType=suggest&searchSuggest=product

Anyone have friends someplace other than the US or Canada?  Conrad won't ship here.   

https://help.conrad.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360000576298-Do-you-offer-global-shipping-

Unfortunately, we stopped shipping to both the US and Canada in 1991 due to high postage and insurance costs, as well as the potential Product Liability issues arising from delivering to both countries. However, if you live in the US or Canada, would like to purchase one of our products and have friends or acquaintance overseas, why not ask them to order on your behalf?

I guess that explains why Digi-Key and Mouser don't carry it and TCS and Digitrax won't use them (since they both make their decoders in the US). Well, TCS at least. Digitrax used to make theirs in the US but I think they stopped.  I haven't bought one in a while to see what the package says.

[peteski]

Anyone have friends someplace other than the US or Canada?  Conrad won't ship here.   

https://help.conrad.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360000576298-Do-you-offer-global-shipping-

I guess that explains why Digi-Key and Mouser don't carry it and TCS and Digitrax won't use them (since they both make their decoders in the US). Well, TCS at least. Digitrax used to make theirs in the US but I think they stopped.  I haven't bought one in a while to see what the package says.

The way I see it, Conrad is just a distributor (probably like Digikey in U.S).  The actual connector (according to the Conrad page linked to earlier) is Degson.  There might be a Degson products distributor in Americas.  Or maybe Degson can be contacted directly by individuals or DCC companies wanting to order those connectors? They are a Chinese company.

http://www.degson.com/en/index.html

I did a search on Digikey and some of those connectors look similar to Next18.

[reinhardtjh]

Okay. I see what you mean.  Comparing specs from the Conrad site and some of the Panasonic items that came up in your search shows there are other compatible ones available.  The 2000 minimum order might be tough to come up with.  lol

[peteski]

Okay. I see what you mean.  Comparing specs from the Conrad site and some of the Panasonic items that came up in your search shows there are other compatible ones available.  The 2000 minimum order might be tough to come up with.  lol

True, but probably a realistic quantity for some American DCC manufacturer to purchase to produce decoders with Next18 plug. But then again, almost no American prototype DCC-ready models utilize the Next18 interface.  It might be a chicken and egg thing.

Also, I only checked Digikey. It is possible that Mouser, Allied Electronics, or some other U.S. based electronic part distributor stocks compatible connectors and sells then in small quantities.

[nstars]

Maybe they did that because they weren't selling many wired decoders compared to ones with Next18 connector?

I doubt that. The Next18 is used in many new releases, but that is only of the last 1-1.5 years. Before that other connectors were used or hard wired solutions. When I look around at model train shows, it's the wired version I see most often. I think the reason is only costs. By limiting the number of versions they can reduce the manufacturing costs while at the same time push the train manufactures to a standard size decoder.

Marc

[Maletrain]

For converting the Next18 bare connector to a "hard wired" install, how hard would it be to buy or make some sort of individual wire slip-on connectors for each pin?
And, would all of those wires end up taking more space than the ribbon use for the Next18? 

[wazzou]

For converting the Next18 bare connector to a "hard wired" install, how hard would it be to buy or make some sort of individual wire slip-on connectors for each pin?
And, would all of those wires end up taking more space than the ribbon use for the Next18?

Some type of solution like this will be needed as I would think less than a handful of people would have the talent or required tools to solder wire to those connections.

[Steveruger45]

Am I missing something?  Can’t you cut the flexi cable that can come with the decoder and solder wires on the end of the cut or on the pads on the top of it at the plug end?

[RBrodzinsky]

Steve,

Not missing anything.  Those pads are there specifically for us to cut off the ribbon and "free wire" (ESU's term).  But, that doesn't help with the height of the decoder.