Sourcing LGB 55021 / Massoth eMotion PCB pins

A

Andrew_au

Registered
Country flag
I have 3 old LGB locos using the 55021 direct-decoder interface. I'm trying to build some adapters so that I can mount a new decoder into the existing interface. However, I'm having real problems sourcing pins that will fit into the sockets.

Standard 0.9mm PCB pins are way too loose.

I did find a male header with 0.1mm square pins (link to product). These are almost firm in the socket - I think if I extract the pins from the plastic mount and put a light layer of solder on each then they may be an OK fit. As it is, I'm concerned that if they shift a little they may momentarily lose contact resulting in power issues.

Can anyone link me up with someone who can supply actual pins for this interface? I need at least 30 and preferably 50.


Why do it this way rather than direct-solder a new decoder?
  • I preserve the original interface in case I want to test something using the original decoders
  • by building an adapter harness I can easily pop decoders out and put them in a decoder tester and or swap / upgrade them.
 
I did not think to try that.

Having done so, they seem to be a little too fat. I tried to slide the one on my workbench into my equivalent of the power pickup plug, and it wouldn't go. Trying on the PCB mounts I might be able to get it in if I force it, but don't want to do that.
 
If you put a slight bend, in a slightly undersized pin, you can get better contact..
Just don't overdo it.

PhilP
 
Andrew_au said:
I have 3 old LGB locos using the 55021 direct-decoder interface. I'm trying to build some adapters so that I can mount a new decoder into the existing interface. However, I'm having real problems sourcing pins that will fit into the sockets.

Standard 0.9mm PCB pins are way too loose.

I did find a male header with 0.1mm square pins (link to product). These are almost firm in the socket - I think if I extract the pins from the plastic mount and put a light layer of solder on each then they may be an OK fit. As it is, I'm concerned that if they shift a little they may momentarily lose contact resulting in power issues.

Can anyone link me up with someone who can supply actual pins for this interface? I need at least 30 and preferably 50.


Why do it this way rather than direct-solder a new decoder?
  • I preserve the original interface in case I want to test something using the original decoders
  • by building an adapter harness I can easily pop decoders out and put them in a decoder tester and or swap / upgrade them.
Click to expand...
 
Andrew - If you use a Massoth eMotion L DCC Driving/Function Decoder, its top pins are configured to be pushed right into your locomotive's interface on the circuit board. The L decoder replaced the LGB 55021 MTS Decoder, and Massoth produced both along with the main circuit board.

The other option is to use any DCC decoder, sound or non-sound, and solder wires to the decoder's appropriate terminals and then solder to the wire-ends the standard push-pin connectors used on Massoth decoders. They're the same push-pin connectors the original LGB company used for years to connect their locomotive circuit boards to the motor block's track power and motor pin terminals. See the two photos below.......I sell both of these items on my Website.
Massoth eMotion L Decoder photo.pngMassoth Push-Pin Connectors.png
 
LGB333 said:
If you use a Massoth eMotion L DCC Driving/Function Decoder, its top pins are configured to be pushed right into your locomotive's interface on the circuit board.
Click to expand...
Opposite problem I think. I want to build an adaptor to replace some 55021 / eMotion L decoders with newer decoders while keeping the same "direct decoder" interface on the loco. Which means that I don't want the connectors - they already exist on the loco circuit board. Rather, I want the pins.

Existing: LGB 55021 (pins) -> loco (sockets)

New: new decoder (interface) -> adaptor board (matching interface -> pins) -> loco (sockets)
 
so you are looking to build something like this....
 

Attachments

  • 20210323_155732.jpg
    20210323_155732.jpg
    171.2 KB · Views: 0
  • 20210323_161051.jpg
    20210323_161051.jpg
    557 KB · Views: 0
  • 20210323_161105.jpg
    20210323_161105.jpg
    609.1 KB · Views: 0
I notice all three of those are different baseboards. Are they various bespoke creations?

Related to boards and decoders
  • LGB 55021 is rated for 1.2 A
  • Massoth eMotion L is rated for 1.8 A
  • LokSound 5 (standard) is rated for 1.5 A
  • Zimo MS450 is rated for 1.2 A, or 1.8 A with ADAPLU adapter board (which includes a higher rated rectifier)
Rather having a Zimo MS450 on top of a 4 tier cake (MS450, ADAPLU, direct decoder adapter, motherboard), I had considered building a custom adapter with the direct decoder interface on one side, a PluX 16/22 on the other, and a built in rectifier like the ADAPLU board.

For now, I don't even plan to use a PCB for the direct decoder adapter board - just drill holes in some perspex to mount the pins in a rigid frame and run patch wires to the PluX adapter.
 
there was only 1 design, with multiple uses.

1) Allow connection from a 10pin interface to a direct decoder interface (just needs the 10pin header to be soldered to the board)
2) Allow easy connection of a Massoth eMotion LS decoder, used additional pins and additional 3 and 4pin Mini CT cables.
3) Direct soldering of connection cables to the PCB for other decoders.

If I was to redesign it I would probably just go with a set of screw terminals.
 
AusrailQLD said:
Don't mean to change the subject, but what are these boards?
Click to expand...

They are what I call "Direct Decoder Interface Adapters", something I designed (and was going to manufacture and sell) when I was running Garden Rail Outlet. The sole purpose was to assist in installing sound decoders (such as Massoth Emotion LS and XLS) into LGB locos that were provisioned with a Direct Decoder Interface.
 
Andrew_au said:
I have 3 old LGB locos using the 55021 direct-decoder interface. I'm trying to build some adapters so that I can mount a new decoder into the existing interface. However, I'm having real problems sourcing pins that will fit into the sockets.

Standard 0.9mm PCB pins are way too loose.

I did find a male header with 0.1mm square pins (link to product). These are almost firm in the socket - I think if I extract the pins from the plastic mount and put a light layer of solder on each then they may be an OK fit. As it is, I'm concerned that if they shift a little they may momentarily lose contact resulting in power issues.

Can anyone link me up with someone who can supply actual pins for this interface? I need at least 30 and preferably 50.


Why do it this way rather than direct-solder a new decoder?
  • I preserve the original interface in case I want to test something using the original decoders
  • by building an adapter harness I can easily pop decoders out and put them in a decoder tester and or swap / upgrade them.
Click to expand...
Andrew - Here's another perspective from those of us that install DCC sound decoders into customers' G scale locomotives: All the old factory-installed electronics are removed from a locomotive and replaced with a new DCC decoder. Why: Because the old factory-installed electronics are seriously out of date, and the sound quality and operating features can't compare with currently produced DCC sound decoders. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, the old factory-installed circuit boards in LGB locomotives with their DCC interfaces produced sometimes 25 years ago, are potential sources of failure, and if they fail, could also damage the attached DCC decoder. Then you'll have to start all over again and replace the failed electronics with a new DCC decoder anyway, doubling your work effort.

It's your choice, of course, but you're spending a lot of time and effort trying to design and fabricate a DCC interface board to use with old technology. Yes, it's more expensive, but you could have already installed a brand new DCC sound decoder into your locomotive. I use Massoth XLS, ESU 5XL, Soundtraxx Tsunmai2 TSU-4400 DCC sound decoders for my LGB DCC conversions that provide top quality and reliable locomotive operations, and they come with a 12 months warranty. Conversely, one of my customers, who as a kid, grew up loving the sounds of LGB locomotives produced 25 years ago, decided to convert several of his LGB sound locomotives to DCC by retaining the original factory-installed sound, so he can continue to have those childhood memories. But he admits that the sound quality is inferior, and he can't access all the sound features in those old analog boards due to their serial mode control constraints.

I'm providing the above comments only as an alternate perspective to consider. And one of the nice benefits of the DCC trains hobby is "there's more than one way to skin a cat."

Best regards,
Thomas White
 
LGB333 said:
Andrew - Here's another perspective from those of us that install DCC sound decoders into customers' G scale locomotives: All the old factory-installed electronics are removed from a locomotive and replaced with a new DCC decoder. Why: Because the old factory-installed electronics are seriously out of date, and the sound quality and operating features can't compare with currently produced DCC sound decoders. Lastly, and perhaps more importantly, the old factory-installed circuit boards in LGB locomotives with their DCC interfaces produced sometimes 25 years ago, are potential sources of failure, and if they fail, could also damage the attached DCC decoder. Then you'll have to start all over again and replace the failed electronics with a new DCC decoder anyway, doubling your work effort.

It's your choice, of course, but you're spending a lot of time and effort trying to design and fabricate a DCC interface board to use with old technology. Yes, it's more expensive, but you could have already installed a brand new DCC sound decoder into your locomotive. I use Massoth XLS, ESU 5XL, Soundtraxx Tsunmai2 TSU-4400 DCC sound decoders for my LGB DCC conversions that provide top quality and reliable locomotive operations, and they come with a 12 months warranty. Conversely, one of my customers, who as a kid, grew up loving the sounds of LGB locomotives produced 25 years ago, decided to convert several of his LGB sound locomotives to DCC by retaining the original factory-installed sound, so he can continue to have those childhood memories. But he admits that the sound quality is inferior, and he can't access all the sound features in those old analog boards due to their serial mode control constraints.

I'm providing the above comments only as an alternate perspective to consider. And one of the nice benefits of the DCC trains hobby is "there's more than one way to skin a cat."

Best regards,
Thomas White
Click to expand...
Wish I knew this advice before I ordered parts to convert mine.
Currently converting an LGB 22802 with 23802 electronics, with the possible idea of adding DCC in future with a 55021 direct-decoder interface substitute.
Least I can run it on old DC for now. :-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom