Atlas Master H-12-44 / H-16-44

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-2

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AK-MB1

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation is for a HO Scale Atlas Master H-12-44 or H-16-44. With milling of the frame, they have been able to utilize a AK-MB1 Motherboard, WOW121 Diesel Decoder and UNIV-SH4-C WOWSound kit. This installation also made use of Bi-Color LED's with Red and Green outputs for the class lights.

HO-Scale Atlas Master H16-44 prior to installation.
HO-Scale Atlas Master H16-44 prior to installation.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear couplers screws as indicated above and remove their housings. With the couplers removed gently pull apart the shell at the two ends and along the sides and lift the shell off of the frame. Take care with the handrails as you lift off the shell so they don't break.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear couplers screws as indicated above and remove their housings. With the couplers removed gently pull apart the shell at the two ends and along the sides and lift the shell off of the frame. Take care with the handrails as you lift off the shell so they don't break.
Shown with the shell off. Remove the wires from the original lighting board and then remove the board. We will also be removing the original LED Bi color lighting as it is a common cathode and it will need to be replaced with common anode for correct operation and function.
Shown with the shell off. Remove the wires from the original lighting board and then remove the board. We will also be removing the original LED Bi color lighting as it is a common cathode and it will need to be replaced with common anode for correct operation and function.
With the board off, take note of the wiring to be sure and replace it in its correct location. Trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
With the board off, take note of the wiring to be sure and replace it in its correct location. Trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
To allow a space for the motherboard and speaker, the frame must be milled as highlighted above to keep all the components below the original top of the frame.
To allow a space for the motherboard and speaker, the frame must be milled as highlighted above to keep all the components below the original top of the frame.
Shown with the frame properly milled to accept the installation. In the milling, we created a channel for the front lighting wire leads as shown above left.
Shown with the frame properly milled to accept the installation. In the milling, we created a channel for the front lighting wire leads as shown above left.
Clip on the AK-MB1 and solder the track and motor connections as indicated in the included wiring diagram.
Clip on the AK-MB1 and solder the track and motor connections as indicated in the included wiring diagram.
Using a small dab of hot melt glue, secure the rear and front headlights along with the Bi color LEDs into the original locations. Solder these connections to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram and using small lengths of TCS 3/32" and 3/64" shrink tubing, insulate these solder leads. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
Using a small dab of hot melt glue, secure the rear and front headlights along with the Bi color LEDs into the original locations. Solder these connections to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram and using small lengths of TCS 3/32" and 3/64" shrink tubing, insulate these solder leads. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
When placing the lighting, route the front lighting wire leads underneath the speaker insallation into the milled channel as shown in the above right photo.
When placing the lighting, route the front lighting wire leads underneath the speaker insallation into the milled channel as shown in the above right photo.
Using double sided foam tape, with the 25mm X 14mm WOWSound speaker inserted into the UNI-SH4-C enclosure, mount this assembly to the frame as shown and solder the wiring leads to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram. If your speaker enclosure installation covers the portholes on the enclosure, we recommend adding new port hole(s) similar to the original porting. Be sure that the new portholes are the same size and amount of the original and are vented freely into the locomotive We have found introducing a port of the correct size greatly increases the volume and sound quality of the installation. Too much or too little porting decreases the sound quality.
Using double sided foam tape, with the 25mm X 14mm WOWSound speaker inserted into the UNI-SH4-C enclosure, mount this assembly to the frame as shown and solder the wiring leads to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram. If your speaker enclosure installation covers the portholes on the enclosure, we recommend adding new port hole(s) similar to the original porting. Be sure that the new portholes are the same size and amount of the original and are vented freely into the locomotive We have found introducing a port of the correct size greatly increases the volume and sound quality of the installation. Too much or too little porting decreases the sound quality.
NOTE: In this installation, the open fans on the roof have loose fan blades. In order to prevent vibration which could compromise the sound quality, we recommend that you add a small drop of model glue to the junction of the fan blades and spindle to prevent this movement. The front fan cover frame is easily removed as is the fan grill. Remove these for access to place the glue inconspicuously.
NOTE: In this installation, the open fans on the roof have loose fan blades. In order to prevent vibration which could compromise the sound quality, we recommend that you add a small drop of model glue to the junction of the fan blades and spindle to prevent this movement. The front fan cover frame is easily removed as is the fan grill. Remove these for access to place the glue inconspicuously.
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using waxed lacing cord. With the AS-MB2 board installed into this locomotive, it is neccessary to remap the lights to allow them to operate with the correct motor direction. We did this by programing CV49 to value 16 and CV 50 to value 0. You can find this information in the included literature. Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the coupler assemblies. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Atlas Master H16-44 is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using waxed lacing cord. With the AS-MB2 board installed into this locomotive, it is neccessary to remap the lights to allow them to operate with the correct motor direction. We did this by programing CV49 to value 16 and CV 50 to value 0. You can find this information in the included literature. Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the coupler assemblies. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Atlas Master H16-44 is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. Over time, the acidic properties of liquid or paste flux will begin eating away at the fiberglass PCB and will damage it. Use only Rosin-core solder or no-clean flux approved for electronics use.

TCS recommends the use of Kester "44" Sn63 Pb37, .015" diameter Rosin-core solder. Kester part number 24-6337-0007.

You can order this solder from the following retailers:
Digikey - PN:KE1110-ND
Techni-Tool - PN:488SO6775

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more than a 1/32 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire than half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.
Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire

Lacing Cord

In order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, we recommend lacing the wires into a bundle using lacing cord. Lacing cord is a wax impregnated string used for wire bundling and making harnesses. There are many choices of lacing cord available from Digikey www.digikey.com. 
We use part number 802534B BK032-ND