Life Like Proto 2000 SD9

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-3

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AK-MB1

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation documentation is for the HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 SD9. This installation uses a TCS WOW121-Diesel Decoder, AK-MB1 Motherboard with built in Keep Alive® and UNIV-SH1-C WOWSpeaker kit.

HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 shown prior to installation.
HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 shown 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.
In this model there are also two screws highlighted above in red from the middle of the locomotive that need to be removed.
In this model there are also two screws highlighted above in red from the middle of the locomotive that need to be removed.
The Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 shown with the shell off.
The Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 shown with the shell off.
Remove the screws from the original lighting boards as highlighted above in red along with the wires and remove it from the chassis. In this installation, we chose to replace the original 1.5v lighting with LEDs.
Remove the screws from the original lighting boards as highlighted above in red along with the wires and remove it from the chassis. In this installation, we chose to replace the original 1.5v lighting with LEDs.
*Note this image shows the opposite side of the locomotive* With the original lighting board removed, trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary. The posts where the screws were removed have been clipped off to prevent potential shorts on the underside of the motherboard. Otherwise, they may be covered in Kapton or other non-conductive tape.
*Note this image shows the opposite side of the locomotive* With the original lighting board removed, trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary. The posts where the screws were removed have been clipped off to prevent potential shorts on the underside of the motherboard. Otherwise, they may be covered in Kapton or other non-conductive tape.
The motor mount must be adhered to the top of the motor using double-sided tape or hot melt glue.
The motor mount must be adhered to the top of the motor using double-sided tape or hot melt glue.
Attach the AK-MB1 to the frame and solder the motor and track pickup wires according to the included wiring diagram.
Attach the AK-MB1 to the frame and solder the motor and track pickup wires according to the included wiring diagram.
With the 35mm X 16mm WOWSound speaker inserted into the UNI-SH1-C enclosure, mount this assembly to the frame as shown and solder the wire leads to the motherboard 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.
With the 35mm X 16mm WOWSound speaker inserted into the UNI-SH1-C enclosure, mount this assembly to the frame as shown and solder the wire leads to the motherboard 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.
Place the LEDs in the original lighting locations securing them with a small dab of hot melt glue. Solder the wire leads to the AK-MB1 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.
Place the LEDs in the original lighting locations securing them with a small dab of hot melt glue. Solder the wire leads to the AK-MB1 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.
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 Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 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 Life Like Proto 2000 SD9 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