Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation is for a HO-Scale Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 using a TCS WOW121 Steam Decoder, AS-MB2 NC Motherboard, KA3 Keep Alive® and 28mm WOWSpeaker by TCS.

HO-Scale Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 prior to installation.
HO-Scale Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 prior to installation.
To start off this install, we must first remove the 8 pin plug attaching the tender to the locomotive, then the screw highlighted above in red on the front of the tender underneath the front axle.
To start off this install, we must first remove the 8 pin plug attaching the tender to the locomotive, then the screw highlighted above in red on the front of the tender underneath the front axle.
The Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 tender shown with the shell off. Remove the three screws highlighted in red above, unplug the wires from the original decoder board and remove it from the chassis. Make a note as to the function of the wire leads to facilitate reinstallation.
The Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 tender shown with the shell off. Remove the three screws highlighted in red above, unplug the wires from the original decoder board and remove it from the chassis. Make a note as to the function of the wire leads to facilitate reinstallation.
Shown with the original lighting board removed. Trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
Shown with the original lighting board removed. Trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
Remove the two screws highlighted above in red and then trim the original decoder mounting post highlighted above in blue, down to approximately 1/8" in height to create space for the AS-MB2 motherboard mounting.
Remove the two screws highlighted above in red and then trim the original decoder mounting post highlighted above in blue, down to approximately 1/8" in height to create space for the AS-MB2 motherboard mounting.
Insert the TCS 28mm WOWsound speaker into the frame opening and secure it with the original mounting clips.
Insert the TCS 28mm WOWsound speaker into the frame opening and secure it with the original mounting clips.
Attach the AS-MB2 NC motherboard to the top of the speaker magnet with double sided foam tape and a using small dab of hot melt glue placed on top of the trimmed mounting post.
Attach the AS-MB2 NC motherboard to the top of the speaker magnet with double sided foam tape and a using small dab of hot melt glue placed on top of the trimmed mounting post.
Solder the motor, track pickup, speaker and LED wire leads to the AS-MB2 NC according to your included wiring diagram as shown above.
Solder the motor, track pickup, speaker and LED wire leads to the AS-MB2 NC according to your included wiring diagram as shown above.
Using hot melt glue, mount the KA3 into the top of the tender as shown above.
Using hot melt glue, mount the KA3 into the top of the tender as shown above.
Solder the KA3 wire leads to the AS-MB2 according to the included wiring diagram. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
Solder the KA3 wire leads to the AS-MB2 according to the included wiring diagram. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using lacing cord. You can now plug in your WOW121 decoder. Now you can close up the tender and reinstall the saved screws to secure the shell. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 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. You can now plug in your WOW121 decoder. Now you can close up the tender and reinstall the saved screws to secure the shell. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Bachmann ALCO 2-6-0 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