Hi,
I have a version of this decoder availble that I could get reblown with the ESU soundfiles available. My main question is, will the MKL version of the 21 pin decoder work fine with products from Athearn and Rapido.
On the ESU website its states T'his version of the LokSound v5 has full power outputs on function outputs 3&4, it is ideal to install into Bachamnn locos and independantly wire the tail lights without requiring additional circuitry. (You may still require a resistors!)' Bear in mind that this is Bachmann Europe products such as the Class 90 and the Hattons Class 66.
My understanding is that, Aux 3 & 4 control the working ditchlights. So, will powered fucntions provide an issue without a resistor for a new release SD70 or ES44 product from Athearn without causing much issue.
Cheers
Bryn
What they mean by full power is they aren't very low current outputs that are designed to driver transistors on the motherboard to control the actual function. The difference between the MKL version and the other seems to be just which functions are carried out as the full power ones. No idea if the Genesis locos fall under this - probably not. But yet another reason why factory installed boards just need to go for best istallation results. If the board design requires this specific version of the decoder, then not using it could dmage the function outputs on the decoder. If the board does not need this decoder version adn you use it, it could blow something out on the board.
The RIGHT Loksound Decoder for Genesis locos is the Loksound v5 DCC Direct. It repalces the factory board and all the lighting wires hook to it. It has 6 function connections, all with resistors supplied for LEDs.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Not sure if this will help, but I have done some swapping of 21 pin decoders, Lok Select and V5 with Tsunami2 and visa versa.
The PC boards these decoders plug into are designed by the manufacturer and are different for each company. And the mapping of the decoder is designed to mate with the proprietary board, so the functions may be activated differently depending upon the circutry of the board, so I think you need to understand each board to truly know how a different 21 pin decoder will function.
Mapping an ESU a traditional way may not work correctly when plugged into an Athearn board, since the board is expecting to see a Tsunami mapped according to Athearn specs. IMO, this usually effects lighting, but could impact some of the other sound functions I don't normally play with.
Having said that, with my decoder swapping AND installation of 21 pin decoders right out of the box, I have not had to fiddle with resistors. Apparently, the resistors are built into the PC boards light circuits, which is why I prefer using the 21 pin plug in type rather than the hardwired decoder.
Hopes this helps a little.
- Douglas
Part of the problem is there are two conflicting standards for 21 pin decoders as to which functions are "logic level" (they put out 3.3 volts high - basically a direct pin from the microcontroller) or "functional level" (they put out the full 12 volts give or take, based on track voltage).
The board repalcment decoder, at least the Loksound, has resistors on it. One less item to stack means more room for the speaker. The other alternative are aftermarket boards like the Decoder Buddy. It has resistors as well, plus one other feature - most of the light outputs go through a small plug in board that attaches to the base the same way a 21 pin decoder does. So if the board attaches to the chassis but all the lights are in the shell, there's a single plug to pull out to take the two apart. No need to come up with your own multi-pin connector to get the lights to disconnect, or just stuff enough wire in the shell to allow you to open it up. Especially a factor if you start adding the extras, like dedicated marker lights or number board lights, or a cab interior light. That stuff typically all goes up in the shell.