Loksound ESU XL v5.0

[Despatcher]

I am looking to fit the locos for my new Gauge O Layout with sound decoders and "Stay Alives". Many sound fitting specialists are suggesting that I need the Loksound ESU XL v5.0 and that I do not need  a separate "Stay Alive" as these decoders have "Stay Alives" built in to the decoder. While doing a bit of research, I think that I have found out that while a Loksound ESU XL v5.0 has a CV that will control the amount of power stored in terms of time (I think) by a "Stay Alive", I cannot find any reference to the decoders having a built in "Stay Alive" capability. Can anyone clarify this for me please?

 

I have just abandoned years of OO gauge modelling where all my locos were fitted with Zimo sound decoders and quite separate "Stay Alives" and the facility to limit or extend the amount of power stored was not an option. Or if it was I did not know about it. I live very close to the sea, about 100 metres at high tide, and the salt in the air tarnishes my track very quickly and "Stay Alives" solve all my slow running problems. The alternative being to clean the track thoroughly every day which is just not an option, even in Lockdown!!

 

Thanks .

[Nigelcliffe]

The ESU LokSound "5L" and "5XL" models have capacitors onboard for stay-alive.  Their manuals say they are designed to be adequate, and nothing else is required.  Detail buried in middle of manuals in the area for connecting stay-alives to the smaller normal "5" models.   The capacitors are visible on photos of the decoders.   

 

Zimo (so you missed it) have a CV for limiting the run time from stay-alive power in absence of a DCC signal.  So, decoder will stop running after loosing DCC signal for, say, 0.5secs.  And thus doesn't run over the scenery, bench, and onto the floor.    Which is probably "limiting the power" in your terms.  

 

 

I can't say whether the "L/XL" decoders are appropriate.  What matters is the maximum current draw of the loco.  Some O gauge models using high efficiency motors will be fine with "normal OO sized decoders", whereas others will need higher current decoders. 

 

 

- Nigel

[pauliebanger]

There are also ZIMO sound decoders for larger scale models, some have built-in stay alives some do not.

 

Nigel is quite correct, (as always); on ZIMO, CV153 limits duration of running without DCC signal.

 

The advice you have received from installers may have been informed by the models you intend to run, so which 0 gauge models will you be fitting with sound?

 

Many will run quite happily with what people often think of as 00 gauge decoders, eg the ZIMO decoders you fitted to your 00 gauge models. Best thought of as being able to supply 1.2A max continuous*, 2.5A peak rather than being defined by scale.

 

*Can be increased to 1.8A with an inexpensive adapter board.

 

To illustrate the point that it's the required Amps for the motor and your useage which is important, there are even UK 0 gauge models factory supplied with ZIMO miniature sound decoders (MX659N18, designed for small spaces typically found in N gauge or 009 narrow gauge models) which function perfectly well.

 

Of course, ZIMO MX699KS (built in stay alives) or Loksound XL can provide high Amps if really needed, (ZIMO MX699KS 6.0A continuous 10A peak motor power, Loksound XL 4.0A continuous 6.0A peak motor power ) but if you don't require all that potential, they are very expensive in comparison and probably make more profit for the seller.

 

Even ESU Loksound suggest, on their website, that the XL is suited to Gauge 1 and above (which is the typical starting point for 'Large Scale')

 

Have a word with 'Jintyman' on RMweb - he has found a low-cost way of running even Heljan 0 gauge with ZIMO MX645 decoders.

 

Best regards,

 

Paul

Edited September 11, 2020 by pauliebanger

[Despatcher]

Thanks Paul and Nigel. I think I understand most of that. When I converted to DCC some 25 years ago now it was supposed to be simpler. Two wires and you could do everything! Yeh, yeh, yeh! Having just connected  every single piece of track on my new layout to the mains track bus with two wires , plus a few more wires from my electrofrog points to hers frogjuicers, I know that not to be the case. Although I am still not convinced my points are wired correctly but I don't get shorts and my small wheelbase locos seem to cross them at slow speeds and without hesitation. 

 

I think the information you have given me will enable me to choose suppliers of Loksound ESU XL v5.0 decoders to fit in my new gauge O locos. I would do it myself but a) I haven't a clue and b) to much cricket has practically wiped out the use of my right thumb. I am then just reliant on decent sound files as to who does the best!

 

Thanks very much indeed. I still do not know how I would cope without this forum. I may not articulate what I want/need to know adequately to satisfy all you experts out there but I would be lost without the help I receive. Many, many thanks indeed for your time, advice and amazing patience at my consistent ineptitude.