Micro decoder still too big for my new shunter

[potatan]

I have a BR Class 03 diesel shunter that won't take a micro decoder. It's about (at a guess) 1mm too wide to refit the diecast engine /cab shell over it when connected.

Is there an even smaller 6 pin decoder available? Or a different manufacturer that fits one into the same dimensions as my blanking plate?

Thanks

This is where it sits but it's about 0.5mm too wide each side:

Side by side with blanking plug:

DCC Model:

[Dad-1]

I'm not into 'N' at all. Zimo do a 'Z' decoder that I suppose might fit in.
Assuming the power output is adequate.
8.2 x 5.7 x 2.0
I've had enough trouble with small '00' locomotives.
Grinding & cutting to get decoders in is something I shy away from.

Geoff T.

[centenary]

Train O matic do a micro decoder 14 x 9 x 3.3

https://train-o-matic.com/decoders.html

Rails do a 'nano' for N scale which is a little larger at 20 x 8 x 4

https://railsofsheffield.com/products/r ... no-decoder

[potatan]

I've seen the Bachmann 36-571 one at 8mm square which will fit

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/product/6-pi ... on)/36-571

My local shop sold the last of these yesterday afternoon hence why I bought the Dapol thinking Micro=Micro=Micro. Ah well

[Mountain]

I know Lenz used to do little decoders, though those look like tiny pins to solder the wires onto.

[Suzie]

The Zimo MX616N is 8mm x 8mm, so might still be a bit big, but about as small as you will get with the NEM651 connector on.

[Bigmet]

I've seen the Bachmann 36-571 one at 8mm square which will fit... My local shop sold the last of these yesterday afternoon hence why I bought the Dapol thinking Micro=Micro=Micro...

This does get easier with experience, you will learn to inspect the interior of each model and assess what is possible: particularly if you remove or rearrange non-essential clutter - such as decoder sockets...

[aleopardstail]

I've seen the Bachmann 36-571 one at 8mm square which will fit... My local shop sold the last of these yesterday afternoon hence why I bought the Dapol thinking Micro=Micro=Micro...

This does get easier with experience, you will learn to inspect the interior of each model and assess what is possible: particularly if you remove or rearrange non-essential clutter - such as decoder sockets...

fitting one of these inside an N gauge Poole era Class 25 was fun, no socket obviously, had to desolder the pins from the decoder to get it to fit and hard wire it

[Bigmet]

I imagine N-gauge (and other smaller than HO and OO scales) still have 'features' much like RTR OO had when DCC was new to the UK market. 'O be joyful' events like the 8 pin socket mounted such that there was insufficient space above it to accept the typical plug due to its having wires attached, unlike the blanking plug: not that this much mattered, as there was no suitable void for a decoder anyway...

There is an upside of course, all the resulting practice in hard wiring means no reluctance to discard the 'socket design searching for a problem' (PluX) in order to install a neat cheaper wired decoder. Credit where due though, I have these last dozen years bought locos where genuine intelligence is evident in the decoder socket placement. Took a while but there has been progress.

[Suzie]

At least if a loco has a PluX socket in it you know that you can just plug a decoder in because there is space for the decoder, similar with the Next-18 socket too.

Width - Socket
--------------------
9mm - PluX-8
9.5mm - Next18
10.5mm - Next18S
11mm - PluX-16
16mm - PluX-22

Interesting that none of them will be small enough for the shunter. I guess they will have to put a socket in the cab when they redesign the electronics. I think that the 9mm space reserved for the PluX-8 is quite generous for a socket that is intended for Z-gauge when decoders are already available smaller than this with other connector options.

[Dad-1]

I can see Potatan's problem.
He's a 'new' modeller and not particularly into hard wiring
decoders in. Soldering expensive decoders is daunting.
Certainly I found the only 'Safe' way of putting decoders in
the Hornby Ruston DS48 is to take the socket out and hard
wire in. This after crush damaging 2 Zimo decoders that
appeared to fit, but final tightening crushed.

Now all 3 run a treat !!

Geoff T.

[aleopardstail]

I think this is slightly complicated by that Class 03 I think being N gauge.

its not so much blink and you miss it as look away and you will never find it again

not sure what decoder is recommended for the thing but whatever it is thats the one I'd try, and would leave the one you have to stick into something else. note: there are places that you can get to fit the decoder for you, a few of the places that sell them offer a fitting service