Kato ALCO RSC-2

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-6

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AS-MB2

Speaker Kit
Keep Alive®

KA4



This installation is for a HO Scale Kato ALCO RSC-2 using a TCS WOW121-Diesel Decoder, AS-MB2-NC, KA4 Keep Alive® 
and UNIV-SH4-C speaker kit.

HO-Scale Kato RSC-2 with the shell on prior to installation.
HO-Scale Kato RSC-2 with the shell on prior to installation.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear couplers and their housings. Once that is complete, the shell will lift off of the chassis. Do this by holding the fuel tank with one hand and squeezing the shell on either side at the tabs highlighted below while pulling up.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear couplers and their housings. Once that is complete, the shell will lift off of the chassis. Do this by holding the fuel tank with one hand and squeezing the shell on either side at the tabs highlighted below while pulling up.
Shown with the shell off and the original lighting board.
Shown with the shell off and the original lighting board.
To remove the original lighting board, remove the plastic clip shown on top as well as the two screws that are holding the board down. With these removed, lift it off of the frame. This board and lights will no longer be used.
To remove the original lighting board, remove the plastic clip shown on top as well as the two screws that are holding the board down. With these removed, lift it off of the frame. This board and lights will no longer be used.
The original rail pick up comes off of a common rail on each side, while the motor power is brought in via the metal clips. These will need to be shortened and modified for the installation.
The original rail pick up comes off of a common rail on each side, while the motor power is brought in via the metal clips. These will need to be shortened and modified for the installation.
First, straighten and snip these metal leads, then solder a connection point to each and attach the new motor lead wires. Shrink wrap these leads to insulate and protect against shorts.
First, straighten and snip these metal leads, then solder a connection point to each and attach the new motor lead wires. Shrink wrap these leads to insulate and protect against shorts.
Using hot glue or double sided foam tape, secure the front portion of the AS-MB2-NC to the frame, then screw the rear portion down to hold it firmly in place. Do not over tighten this screw. Next, solder a low profile connection point to each track lead and solder a wire to each of these as highlighted above in red. Branch each of these leads to allow connection to the two separate track solder points on the mother board.
Using hot glue or double sided foam tape, secure the front portion of the AS-MB2-NC to the frame, then screw the rear portion down to hold it firmly in place. Do not over tighten this screw. Next, solder a low profile connection point to each track lead and solder a wire to each of these as highlighted above in red. Branch each of these leads to allow connection to the two separate track solder points on the mother board.
Next, to mount the LED's we used (TCS 1417 two wired surface mount sunny white LED’s) as a replacement for the existing lights using a small dab of hot melt glue. The front light tube was shortened to allow room for the speaker as shown below highlighted in red below with a small saw . Mount the KA4 into the top of the shell with double sided foam tape. Be aware of the fit and that it will rest behind the speaker and in front of the AS-MB2-NC when assembled. Solder the two leads to the AS-MB2-NC.
Next, to mount the LED's we used (TCS 1417 two wired surface mount sunny white LED’s) as a replacement for the existing lights using a small dab of hot melt glue. The front light tube was shortened to allow room for the speaker as shown below highlighted in red below with a small saw . Mount the KA4 into the top of the shell with double sided foam tape. Be aware of the fit and that it will rest behind the speaker and in front of the AS-MB2-NC when assembled. Solder the two leads to the AS-MB2-NC.
With the 2 LED's hot glued onto the light tubes you can connect the LED's to the AS-MB2-NC motherboard according to the included wiring diagram.
With the 2 LED's hot glued onto the light tubes you can connect the LED's to the AS-MB2-NC motherboard according to the included wiring diagram.
We have found that LED light output is brightest when shinning directly into the end of the light tube, but in some circumstances they may be placed along the length of the tube as well with satisfactory results. In doing so, white light LED output would be least affected, while non white LED output will be more affected by placement.
We have found that LED light output is brightest when shinning directly into the end of the light tube, but in some circumstances they may be placed along the length of the tube as well with satisfactory results. In doing so, white light LED output would be least affected, while non white LED output will be more affected by placement.
Insert the 25mm x 14mm speaker into the UNIV-SH4C enclosure, using hot melt glue, mount the assembly on the top, front inside of the shell and solder the leads to the AS-MB2-NC. 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.
Insert the 25mm x 14mm speaker into the UNIV-SH4C enclosure, using hot melt glue, mount the assembly on the top, front inside of the shell and solder the leads to the AS-MB2-NC. 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.
You can now plug in your 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 Kato ALCO RSC-2 is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
You can now plug in your 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 Kato ALCO RSC-2 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