RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted June 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2018 (edited) I was hoping somebody can put my mind at rest. I am looking to buy a DCC 8-pin sound chip from Howes, pre-blown with class 58 sounds. The page says it is an ESU chip but nowhere that I can find does it say what type. It looks like a V4.0 but, to be honest, I wouldn't know the difference between a full-fat V4.0 and a Loksound Select. I don't wat to buy one and find out it is the latter. I have sent an email to Howes, but have received no reply. Has anybody here bought a sound chip who is able to confirm what type it is? Thanks, Roy Edited June 28, 2018 by Roy Langridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted June 28, 2018 Share Posted June 28, 2018 It is unlikely to be a Select as they are usually used in factory fitted sound locos and I don't believe the Heljan 58 has been available with factory fitted sound. I would expect the decoder to be a Loksound V4.0 to which Howes have added their own sound file. However, I cannot be certain as I've never bought one. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted June 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2018 Assume you are paying £99.99? That will be a full fat V4.0 - not aware they sell owt else, all the sound projects are built for these chips Cheers Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold pheaton Posted June 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2018 it will be a full fat v4 as phil said if you are fitting this to a Heljan 58 i strongly advise you to disconnect the light bulbs, they can cause the chip to fail, ive had a 33 and a 58 fail for this reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted June 28, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2018 Thanks all. Yes it was for a Heljan 58. Interesting about the lights, perhaps I will fit some LEDs instead. I assume the filament bulbs are drawing too much current? Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold pheaton Posted June 28, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 28, 2018 Im not sure i seem to recall at the time someone reported due to the simplistic nature of the control board on the heljans the bulbs could cause a short. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted June 29, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 29, 2018 I opened mine up last night to find (58001 in Railfreight red-stripe) it too had LEDs. I am not sure why I thought it had filament bulbs, Anyhow, I plan to work out what current is being drawn by the bulbs to see if that is an issue. I have, however, noted that Howes site states "With the Heljan model please ensure the directional lights are functioning correctly prior to decoder installation. We have found some models where bulbs are creating a `short` which can cause damage to the decoder". Mine do function correctly. Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold pheaton Posted June 29, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 29, 2018 I opened mine up last night to find (58001 in Railfreight red-stripe) it too had LEDs. I am not sure why I thought it had filament bulbs, Anyhow, I plan to work out what current is being drawn by the bulbs to see if that is an issue. I have, however, noted that Howes site states "With the Heljan model please ensure the directional lights are functioning correctly prior to decoder installation. We have found some models where bulbs are creating a `short` which can cause damage to the decoder". Mine do function correctly. Roy Hi Roy, Have you got the second batch?? IE the one commissioned by Olivias trains? if so that would make sense, the earlier ones (including mine) had bulbs and they were shocking lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Roy Langridge Posted June 29, 2018 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 29, 2018 Hi Roy, Have you got the second batch?? IE the one commissioned by Olivias trains? if so that would make sense, the earlier ones (including mine) had bulbs and they were shocking lol Original batch as far as I am aware - I bought it second-hand on eBay. It is one of these: http://www.hattons.co.uk/21535/Heljan_5802_Class_58_diesel_58001_in_red_stripe_Railfreight_grey_livery_version_1_/StockDetail.aspx Roy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tractor_37260 Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) I was hoping somebody can put my mind at rest. I am looking to buy a DCC 8-pin sound chip from Howes, pre-blown with class 58 sounds. The page says it is an ESU chip but nowhere that I can find does it say what type. It looks like a V4.0 but, to be honest, I wouldn't know the difference between a full-fat V4.0 and a Loksound Select. I don't wat to buy one and find out it is the latter. I have sent an email to Howes, but have received no reply. Has anybody here bought a sound chip who is able to confirm what type it is? Thanks, Roy It will be a Lok V4.0 as the SELECT decoder cannot be re-blown by any of the usual suppliers. Edited July 2, 2018 by tractor_37260 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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