ESU Sound Chip

[ELTEL]

I have taken a ESU chip out of a locomotive 

 

How can identify which version it is ? 
Can I read the chip to give me the information or is it a visual check.
 

V3

V3.5

V4

 

Thanks

Terry 

 

[Soul Survivor]

1 hour ago, ELTEL said:

I have taken a ESU chip out of a locomotive 

 

How can identify which version it is ? 
Can I read the chip to give me the information or is it a visual check.
 

V3

V3.5

V4

 

Thanks

Terry 

 

If you have a Lokprogrammer you can read and identify which version it is. Alternatively here is a screenshot of the different versions (this information was originally posted by Richard at Roads & Rails). Note if the connected speaker has 100ohms printed on the back, the decoder will most likely be a v3.5. If the speaker shows 4ohms or 8ohms the decoder will either be a v4 or a v5.

Edited July 9, 2022 by Soul Survivor
Additional info

[ELTEL]

Hi Soul survivor 

 

Many thanks for getting back to me.

 

I have just photographed both sides of the chip (the black marks are black tac on the plastic)

 

The sticker on it was V4 

 

The chip works ok but I need to add the appropriate stay alive 

 

Terry 

 

 

[Soul Survivor]

Hi Terry,

I would suggest checking out Roads & Rails website. They sell Train-o-matic Smart Power packs (stay alives) in two different sizes, they come pre-wired with the three wires required to connect to ESU decoders. They can be installed, set up and controlled just like the ESU equivalent for half the cost. 

[ELTEL]

Thanks

[ELTEL]

Hi Richard

I had the smaller ESU for another project which I decided to use.

 

I am reliably informed that the chip is a ESU V 4.0 

 

None of the diagrams that came with the stay alive look like my version as mine was a hard wired 

 

With the aid of my photograph could you mark where I solder the three wires from stay alive marking which colour goes where. 
 

I would be extremely grateful 

 

Terry 

[ELTEL]

Richard

 

 Thanks for getting back to me.

 

If you look at my photographs the component layout is totally different from schematic diagram and as you will see some of the components are a cream colour.

 

Terry 

[daltonparva]

31 minutes ago, ELTEL said:

Richard

 

 Thanks for getting back to me.

 

If you look at my photographs the component layout is totally different from schematic diagram and as you will see some of the components are a cream colour.

 

Terry 

Your second photo is the same as the diagram marked rev 41.

[ELTEL]

I had just re looked at the diagram again and come to the same conclusion, thank you very much for confirming my observation.

 

I think the different coloured components were confusing me.

 

Not hard to do

 

Thanks to all, I will complete the installation tomorrow.

[ELTEL]

Well it’s all installed, checked and double checked.

 

no shorts etc 

 

Put the loco on the test track moves ok, sound ok

 

I left to the locomotive to charge for two minutes as I understand that’s the time it’ takes for the stay alive to charge up 

 

After two minutes as soon as I disconnect the power the loco stops, tried sound only also stops immediately.

 

Totally frustrated and p****d off

 

Have I missed any thing ?

 

Terry 

[ELTEL]

Now after researching on the internet I find I have to charge the following CVs

 

 

CV31=16

CV32=0

CV315=0

CV123=200

 

Its a great pity that ESU didn’t think to add it to there instructions (which in the packet were in German) and even on the English version no mention of having to alter any CVs 

 

I think I will stick to Zimo in the future.

 

Rant over ….

[ELTEL]

Hi Richard

 

Thanks for the confirmation, runs ok now.

 

On this occasion I fitted the ESU small stay alive, but at £40 each after postage I think it will be one off

 

Looking in various places I think I will make my own as the parts are readily available and diagram of component values.

 

I have a few locomotives with Zimo MX 648 chips fitted, if I fit stay alive to them will I need to alter any CVs 

 

Thanks for you help

 

Terry 

[charliepetty]

On 18/07/2022 at 09:02, ELTEL said:

Hi Richard

 

Thanks for the confirmation, runs ok now.

 

On this occasion I fitted the ESU small stay alive, but at £40 each after postage I think it will be one off

 

Looking in various places I think I will make my own as the parts are readily available and diagram of component values.

 

I have a few locomotives with Zimo MX 648 chips fitted, if I fit stay alive to them will I need to alter any CVs 

 

Thanks for you help

 

Terry 

The ESU Stayalive are slightly more than just a capicitor and two wires, they allow full programming of the decoder using their 3 wire harness. Also these are far cheaper then £40.00.  Please see:

https://www.dckits-devideos.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=Stay Alive

[ELTEL]

Hi Charlie 

 

I agree that it’s a bit more than a capacitor and a couple of wires but by the tiime you add postage to the price it’s getting on towards the £40 mark.

 

Thanks

 

 

Terry

[charliepetty]

2 hours ago, ELTEL said:

Hi Charlie 

 

I agree that it’s a bit more than a capacitor and a couple of wires but by the tiime you add postage to the price it’s getting on towards the £40 mark.

 

Thanks

 

 

Terry

You should buy them at the Stafford Show in a few weeks time !!!!

[ELTEL]

So true

[gooderz]

On 22/08/2022 at 18:57, ELTEL said:

Hi Charlie 

 

I agree that it’s a bit more than a capacitor and a couple of wires but by the tiime you add postage to the price it’s getting on towards the £40 mark.

 

Thanks

 

 

Terry

you can easily make your own decent stay alive for less than a fiver. Mouser is the best place to start