Topic: LokSound4Micro, Overheat reason of damage problem SUGGESTIONS & Solution! (PHOTO) Hello. Recently i had a problem with sound failures of LokSound4micro decoders. Sounds roughly disrupted. sometimes - reversibly, but at last -nonreversibly. After investigations and loosing 2 decoders i detect, that it's OWN idle power of decoder is sufficiently high and can lead to overheat damages of it. Problem reveals itself even i connect 8 Om LoudSpeaker and economy FaulHaber motors with 16VDCC. This problem undoubtedly will occur with 4 Om loudspeaker and usual motors! The probability of overheat damages extremely increasing when one will use 18v DCC. (i used 16v) MOREOVER: Decoder's plastic cover strongly prevents heat flow and cannot pass through 1...2 watts of heat. I have good results with glueing copper plate to cleared microprocessors side of decoder by heat conductive epoxy glue. Large surface of copper plate can transfer heat to any flat surface of aluminium body of locos even via 2 sided tape. SEE LARGE PHOTO FOR DETAILS: Now, this train with my custom sounds works stably: [video=youtube;N8MdMJHez8g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8MdMJHez8g[/video] --------- Vadim
well I know that the loksound micro 4 cannot handle an 8ohm speaker, only the loksound select can, but if you wanna speak to an expert on the ESU decoders contact Brian from streamlined backshop services. He will give you a solution.
I'm convinced Lance Mindheim has the very best train sound solution: It provides the modeler with the utmost sound quality, and it doesn't disturb visitors who may not appreciate the noise.
Hello. Ohm Law is: I = U/R; R= 8 Ohm gives us 2 times less current than 4 Ohm. ESU manual citate: "LokSound4Micro works with loadspeakers of 4-16 Ohm." At upper post i appealed to decoders Overheating problem. According to Ohm Law, this problem rather will occur with 4 Ohm speakers than with 8 Ohm. ------------ Vadim
Well, according to ESU's website, the Micro v4.0 is designed to be used with 4 ohm speakers, so this problem should not be occurring. As you say, 8 ohms should be even safer. Are you certain that overheating is the problem? Other thoughts: is the sound volume too loud, and do you really need 16V on the rails, 12 should be more than enough for N scale. Frying an ESU decoder is certainly an expensive unpleasant surprise. Richard.
Thanks, Richard. Yes, Overheating is the problem, and plastic cover makes heat transfer worser. --------- Vadim.
