Atlas Trainman U30B Low Nose

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-INT-1

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

IB-MB2

Speaker Kit
Accessories


This installation documentation is for the Atlas U30B Low-Nose. This installation uses the WDK-INT-1 Kit which includes the IB-MB2, WOW121-Diesel decoder, and INT-SH1 with 2-pin speaker connector. This installation also uses the 6-Pin JST INT-WH connector harness. This installation was performed by TCS.

HO-Scale Atlas U30B low nose prior to installation.
HO-Scale Atlas U30B low nose prior to installation.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear coupler screws highlighted above and their housings. With the couplers removed, while gently pulling outwards at each end and along each side of the frame, lift the shell off of the frame. Take care to release 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 coupler screws highlighted above and their housings. With the couplers removed, while gently pulling outwards at each end and along each side of the frame, lift the shell off of the frame. Take care to release the handrails as you lift off the shell so they don't break.
The Atlas U30B low nose shown with the shell off.
The Atlas U30B low nose shown with the shell off.
First, remove the four front and rear screws shown above.
First, remove the four front and rear screws shown above.
Unplug and disconnect the wires from the board. Once the wires are loose, the factory light board can easily be lifted from the chassis. Shown above is the frame with the board removed.
Unplug and disconnect the wires from the board. Once the wires are loose, the factory light board can easily be lifted from the chassis. Shown above is the frame with the board removed.
In this installation, it is necessary to remove the original 6 pin JST connector and replace it with the TCS 6-Pin JST connector. Wire the front and rear Anode wires to the blue and then the front and rear Cathode wires to the white and yellow wires respectively on the connector as shown above.
In this installation, it is necessary to remove the original 6 pin JST connector and replace it with the TCS 6-Pin JST connector. Wire the front and rear Anode wires to the blue and then the front and rear Cathode wires to the white and yellow wires respectively on the connector as shown above.
Using the original screws. mount the IB-MB2 motherboard to the chassis and plug the JST connectors into the appropriate female mounting connectors.
Using the original screws. mount the IB-MB2 motherboard to the chassis and plug the JST connectors into the appropriate female mounting connectors.
Remove the two screws holding the original speaker enclosure and remove it from the chassis. Drill a 1/8" hole into the speaker housing in a way that it will freely port into the locomotive as highlighted above. We have found that introducing a port of this size greatly enhances the volume and sound quality of this installation. Install the 35mm x 16mm speaker into the original enclosure, securing it with hot glue and screw this assembly to the chassis. NOTE: You must be very careful to avoid getting glue on the speaker cone. Glue on the speaker will ultimately cause it to produce no sound and fail. Plug it into the motherboard.
Remove the two screws holding the original speaker enclosure and remove it from the chassis. Drill a 1/8" hole into the speaker housing in a way that it will freely port into the locomotive as highlighted above. We have found that introducing a port of this size greatly enhances the volume and sound quality of this installation. Install the 35mm x 16mm speaker into the original enclosure, securing it with hot glue and screw this assembly to the chassis. NOTE: You must be very careful to avoid getting glue on the speaker cone. Glue on the speaker will ultimately cause it to produce no sound and fail. Plug it into the motherboard.
Shown with the speaker in place, all the connections secure and Kapton tape in place to keep loose wires from moving. Now you can plug in the WOW121 decoder.
Shown with the speaker in place, all the connections secure and Kapton tape in place to keep loose wires from moving. Now you can plug in the WOW121 decoder.
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using lacing cord. 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 UB30 low nose 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 lacing cord. 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 UB30 low nose 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