Current release Broadway Limited N Scale SD70ACe stealth question

[sctroy]

I just got my BLI D&H SD70ACe stealth and went to look up what sound decoder will fit.  According to BLI, only the Tsunami2 9.5mm N18 will fit (they say the ESU is too thick - boo!).  However, the dimensions on the BLI info for the TSU don't match what TSU gives (TSU says 25 x 9.5 x 4.1mm while BLI says its 25.1 x 9.6 x 3.2).  Anyone put a sound decoder in this current run of the SD70ACe?  If so, what fits?

Steve Troy

[BN1970]

The ESU 58928 Next 18 Decoder is 15.31mm long by 9.45mm wide by 2.93mm thick.  I have used them in a couple of Broadway Limited Stealth N-Scale NW2's. --Brian

[peteski]

Next18 standard for the connector and decoder board dimensions (both silent and sound versions) is defined by NMRA in https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/DCC/S/s-9.1.1.5_next18_next18-s_decoder_interface.pdf  Assuming manufacturers of the decoders and models follow the standard, the decoder should fit into any model which has the Next18 interface connector.

There might be some confusion when it comes to the dimensions because the standard defines decoder's thicknesss from the model's motherboard's surface to the top of the decoder's components.  See Fig. 3 and 4 in the above document.

The ESU web page https://www.esu.eu/en/products/loksound/loksound-5-nano-dcc/  shows
The LokSound 5 Nano DCC with Next18 interface has a size of 15mm x 9.5mm x 3.5mm. (58928)

[sctroy]

The ESU 58928 Next 18 Decoder is 15.31mm long by 9.45mm wide by 2.93mm thick.  I have used them in a couple of Broadway Limited Stealth N-Scale NW2's. --Brian

However, BLI says the ESU will fit the SW7/NW2 chassis but is too thick for the SD70ACe.  I was hoping to find someone who put a sound chip in the recent release of the SD70ACe (preferably an ESU) so that I know what would fit before I waste my money.

Steve Troy

[sctroy]

ESU's response: "If the 58828 won't fit I would say that a 58928 should do the trick as it’s our smallest sound decoder with a NXT18 interface. I can't say for sure as I don’t have a version of that model here to double check." So not a definitive answer, but probably still correct.

Steve Troy

[peteski]

Isn't 58928 the only decoder so far mentioned in this thread?

[sctroy]

I have heard back from BLI - the 58816 and 58828 will not fit due to width AND height.  The 58928 "may" fit as it's the correct width and 0.1mm thinner.  They will order one and check it out and get back to me.
 
Steve Troy

[peteski]

0.1mm (~0.004") would make a difference in the fit?!  That is about 2 thicknesses of a plain letter paper. Hmmm . . .