Source of socket for Next 18 DCC decoders

[pauliebanger]

Here's the link:

 

https://www.digitrains.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=860031

 

Although this is the same part number (and, unfortunately, currently shows a picture of the obsolete model linked in earlier posts above*), this is the new item to which I refer. If you buy with this part number from Digitrains, you will get the new style adapter, if you buy from anywhere else,  it will be the old one, which is pretty useless for many applications as in addition to the foorprint problem, it does not have solder pads for speaker or Stay Alive connections.

 

If space, speakers an stay alives are critical to your needs, the Digitrains version is the one you will need.

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

 

* The photo will be changed to the correct version later today

[reddo]

On 05/03/2020 at 15:07, pauliebanger said:

Here's the link:

 

https://www.digitrains.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=860031

 

Although this is the same part number (and, unfortunately, currently shows a picture of the obsolete model linked in earlier posts above*), this is the new item to which I refer. If you buy with this part number from Digitrains, you will get the new style adapter, if you buy from anywhere else,  it will be the old one, which is pretty useless for many applications as in addition to the foorprint problem, it does not have solder pads for speaker or Stay Alive connections.

 

If space, speakers an stay alives are critical to your needs, the Digitrains version is the one you will need.

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

 

* The photo will be changed to the correct version later today

Hi Paul

 

I just purchased 4x of these adaptor boards from Digitrains and omitted to realise I will need to solder wires onto it from the pick-ups and motor onto the tiny PCB surface pads. Do you have any tips/recomendations how to do this as these are the smallest I have ever attempted ie have you done this? Thanks Paul

[Nigelcliffe]

30 minutes ago, reddo said:

Hi Paul

 

I just purchased 4x of these adaptor boards from Digitrains and omitted to realise I will need to solder wires onto it from the pick-ups and motor onto the tiny PCB surface pads. Do you have any tips/recomendations how to do this as these are the smallest I have ever attempted ie have you done this? Thanks Paul

 

I'm not Paul,  but here's how....     the solder pads are MASSIVE compared to what I'll attempt.    Its mostly holding things so they don't move, and being organised: 

 

1 - decent light, good working place with enough space.  If you need magnifiers, then use them.  Good soldering iron with a clean tip.  (Mines a 50W temp controlled iron, but basically its the tip cleanliness that matters).   Solder of choice: mine is usually 188 degree lead/tin, resin cored thin electrical/electronics solder.  The resin core means no additional flux required.         

2 - fix the PCB socket down.  Bluetac works well for this. 

3 - plan your actions.  Plan the orientation of the wires, so they come out at the angles which suit your installation in the loco.  If wires will come out going past a second (or third) pad, then that second (and third) pad needs to be soldered before the first.    If necessary rotate the device on the bluetac for best access for each wire - think where the wire needs to lie, what angle your soldering iron will come from, and where any holding/prodding needs to be placed.  

4 - strip the insulation from the end of a wire, tin the strands with solder.  Cut the tinned wire back to enough length beyond the insulation for the solder pad.   

5 - put a tiny spot of solder on the pad on the device with your soldering iron.    

6 - Hold the wire in a way so it stays still, with the wire pushing down on the solder pad. If you can't keep it steady in that position with your non-soldering iron hand, tape the wire down, and use a little prodder, such as a cocktail stick to hold the wire over the pad. 

7 - bring iron down onto pre-tinned wire, so it presses into the solder on the join, and the solder flows.  Keep the wire pressed down (that cocktail stick), remove iron.  Allow joint to set.  Remove cocktail stick pressure.  

 

8 - if you end up with the insulation shrinking back a long way from where it should be, then either remove wire, and start again on that one, or slide some heatshrink over the wire to protect things.  

 

- Nigel

 

[pauliebanger]

Hi Paul,

 

Yes, I've used them.

 

Nigel posted a very good description as I was typing this response. I could not have put it better, so I will not try. (I deleted my original text)

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

[charliepetty]

On 26/08/2016 at 19:57, NIK said:

Dear All,

Does anyone know what the connectors are that allow a PCB to connect to a Next 18 DCC mobile (loco) decoder and also can they be bought in the UK?.


The background is that I bought a couple of Zimo MX600R decoders for evaluation and I found an extra function for smoke generation might be used to control the intensity of third rail sparks during standstill/deceleration, coasting and acceleration.

Bachmann are now selling a decoder (with a Next 18 connector) that is believed to be made by Zimo. This 36-567 (RRP £21.95
,discount >=£18.65) has 4 function outputs and four logic level outputs. The logic level output would allow more specialised functions and hopefully allow easier interfacing to custom circuitry. I hope that Bachmann having tried Soundtraxx after ESU might later produce a 21 pin Zimo version for their larger locos/multiple units but for the meantime I'm looking for the matching connector for the 36-567.

Regards

Nick

The ESU ones are readily available in the Uk, see these Priced at two per pack:

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=223_75&product_id=421

 

[RAF96]

NMRA s-9.1.1.5 details Next18 pinouts for sound and non sound sockets.

[reddo]

Nigel - many thanks for the super detailed description, I had thought about 60% of it but your comments add alot of confidence so many thanks - greatly appreciated (I will be using my maglamp!)

 

Thanks Paul for starting to reply - appreciated. I had ready some mixed reports on LaisDCC decoders so was rather nervous in ordering but seeing you're involved in the adptor board design, gave me some confidence. It seems that matching the current loading to locos was an issue so should be OK on this.

 

I like the ESU ones - maybe next time :-)

[pauliebanger]

No Problem.

 

I have no connection with LaisDCC, or their decoders. I passed my specification to them via Digitrains since I wanted to fit an MX659 to a first release Heljan Manning-Wardle 009 and needed a compact design with the largest pads possible.

 

Other commercially produced Next 18 sockets are now available.

 

The only decoders I recommend are ZIMO. That's not a reflection on other brands, just that I know what ZIMOs are capabe of and that they will not let you down.

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

[RedgateModels]

5 hours ago, pauliebanger said:

The only decoders I recommend are ZIMO. That's not a reflection on other brands, just that I know what ZIMOs are capabe of and that they will not let you down.

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

 

I'm with Paul on this

[charliepetty]

Not quite sure why ESU seem to be the market leader, with more stockists throughout the UK, Europe or the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

 

The Zimo decoders are good and the motor control is probably better but the feedback we get is on ESU & Zimo is mixed.

 

Zimo have there fans I know and the ESU guys seem to be a little shy in coming forwards, but its a free world and we all do what we do.

 

Can anyone say who Lais DCC is and where they actually are in the world, I assume Chinese with the way some stuff seems to be near copies of other manufacturers.

 

Maybe I am wrong on that

 

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by charliepetty

[charliepetty]

Are they different ???

[RedgateModels]

13 minutes ago, charliepetty said:

 

Can anyone say who Lais DCC is and where they actually are in the world, I assume Chinese with the way some stuff seems to be near copies of other manufacturers.

 

Maybe I am wrong on that

 

 

It was pretty well documented that the first Lais decoders were straight copies of TCS, which didn't go down well in the States.... 

[Nigelcliffe]

1 hour ago, charliepetty said:

Are they different ???

 (  photos of an ESU and Lais decoder tester )

 

Yes, obviously different.  Lots of parts in different positions.  Doing a photographic copy of the PCB layout would be against copyright rules (but that's not happened, as the components are in different places).  Having the same capabilities, connections, and being about the same size is all fair and reasonable.    

 

As RedgateModels says above, the first Lais products, and those from the same source under other brand names, are alleged by TCS to be pirated copies of their code.   That's a different matter;  copying code is copyright theft.  

 

 

- Nigel