ESU New "drop in Decoder"

SASRR Jun 2, 2021

  1. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    ESU has replaced the 73100 atlas drop in with a new 58721 decoder and it looks like the oem loc sound 4 decoder Has anyone figured out how it just drops in to the older dcc ready units cause i cant see a way for it to work unless it is a atlas Master silver series loco.
     
  2. WolfWorks

    WolfWorks TrainBoard Member

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    Why ESU did not do a replacement for the 73100 is anyone’s guess. The 58721 is a v5 replacement to the 73199 board which fits IM 2006 and up and the newer Atlas.
    To get the 58721to work with older Atlas locomotives will take frame milling to clear room in the middle of the frame. Not too difficult but some do not want to do it nor would you think we would have to.
    I think ESU dropped the ball on this. Just my 2 cents.
     
  3. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    No ESU decoder will fit without milling. The speakers also need space. So my previous experience in N scale.
     
  4. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    I have fitted several decoders both V4 and V5 hard wire and non hard wire in N-scale engines and some are tighter then others without the milling but the new V5 board you have no choice
     
  5. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    I have to agree with you on that and i am a little disappointed that some places are selling it as a direct replacment for the 73199 board ........
     
  6. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    Today I ordered this board. I'll try what works with it.
     
  7. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    if you think its a tight fit putting one in a N scale engines try putting one in a Z scale engine.
     
  8. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    lol Z scale is to rich for me
     
  9. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    s/to rich/too small/

    Some of you old computer geeks like me will get this... (if not, the result is "Z scale is too small for me")
     
  10. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    Granted it may be on the expensive side in the beginning and it could be too small for some people.
    Bui I have to ask Are you sure Have you tried i mean really tried?

    Too expensive! Well that depends on how you look at it. When you consider the increased Squair footage of floor space needed to model the same size layout in N, HO, O. You may realize Z is actually cheaper in the long run. Your going to need a mighty big house if your going to run 100+ car trains in larger scales and the last time i checked it was NOT cheap to buy, Maintain, Heat, and Air-condition a house with that kind of modeling space.

    How do you know its too small for You? Have you tried to model In Z scale?

    For years and years on end everyone, Modelers, and Manufacturers alike said it was impossible to put sound into a Z scale Locomotive. Finally one day I asked, How do you know, have you Tried? Sure enough I got the same answer "NO' from everyone. So I decided to try and do it myself.

    And Guess what. They were all Wrong the real answer Is "YES" You can Put sound into a Powered Z scale Locomotive. And it sounds good.





    The bottom line is don't judge a book by its cover, You never know. Z scale may be cheaper and easier than you think.
    David
     
    Sumner likes this.
  11. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    for me it isnt doesnt matter if you can do it easiy if it is cheaper that is all the better for thoose doing z scale
     
  12. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    David,

    I tried to tell my mom I didn't need to try certain vegetables to know I wouldn't like them. And I was right in some cases, and wrong in others! But I have a bit more information to go on than just Mom's or your cheerleeding.

    Let's just say that the major problem that I have in N scale is not because the scale is too big. I don't have enough room for an HO layout of my liking, or I'd be modelling at a larger scale, not a smaller scale.

    The biggest issue is the relative number and variety of product choices in HO, N and Z scales. The size of the markets for HO and N are more or less in proportion to their scale, but not Z (and not because the Z market is bigger than that). I'm certainly not looking for a scale with less choice of products than I have now in N.

    To be honest, I don't even like the sound of decoders' speakers in N scale! Do I recognize the sounds in the videos (very well done, BTW)? Sure, but they are even less realistic than in N. The bells sound really good, and the horns sound decent, but the rest is just way too tinny for my taste (I have the same issue with N scale sound, just a little less so). The sound that impresses me when watching 1:1 is the sound that you feel in your chest and gut, as much or more than in your ears. The kind of sound that good subwoofers can approach with some realism. I'm looking into either dedicated large-scale decoders, feeding an under-layout sound system, or JMRI's Virtual Sound Decoder feature, doing the same. I could do the same thing with a Z scale layout, but then there's still that market size and availability thing...

    But don't let my choice and reasons derail your efforts; you have accomplished a significant improvement in Z! And for people with less space (and/or more desire to run prototypical length trains), Z scale is an exciting option.
     
  13. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    has anyone put thees in a silver atlas engine I got two of them and put them in the NJT 4301 Atlas silver series engine both have low sound if you turn it up it starts getting distorted i also have tried s different speaker same result
     
  14. peteyPab

    peteyPab TrainBoard Member

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    Any of you gents install the new 58721 board yet? I got it in my older Atlas GP30. Mucho work.
     
  15. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    i did one in a Atlas GP38 added ditch light and red marker lights on the front and back took a little time but i got her done
    here is a short video of the engine. I did remove all the leds except the front and rear headlight
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/CnvVLLH9dN5q8A1K7
     
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  16. peteyPab

    peteyPab TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for posting SASRR. What LEDs did you use for your marker lights, cab & number boards? Any chance you can take a few snapshots of where you soldered and any tips. I'm trying to determine how to go about the lighting effects.
     
  17. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    this just shows where and how the wires get connected. All the Leds are the prewired 402 red and Bright white except for the rear headlight and number boards and that is the original one on the board I wont be driving reversed so the rear lights are not as important to me to redo. I know as i have been told i should have used the cool white or soft white leds and I don't mean this to sound smart but..... I should have used bright white cause i like bright lights and all the trains i see around here well the have bright lights on them. It did take a little bit of time to do but is was a prototype so the next one should go a little faster, If there are certain picture you were looking for let me know and when i do the next one in a week or so i will get them.
    (y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 1, 2021
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  18. peteyPab

    peteyPab TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you for posting SASRR. Is there a significant difference between the warm white and the bright white LEDs? I don't want to put a light that is overpowered yet under lit. From the video you posted it looks almost a bit too strong for my taste. Also...did you place any type of clear plastic lens cover over the marker lights or are those simply drilled holes with the light permeating through?

    thanks again.
     
  19. SASRR

    SASRR TrainBoard Member

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    they have Crystal kote on them. The leds i use are brighter then the warm white . the warm white give a more lamp look like and old round heaadlight.
     
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  20. peteyPab

    peteyPab TrainBoard Member

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    IMG_3193.JPG


    Got it. Thank you. I didn't try using the crystal kote. I'll have to look into that more.
     
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