Walthers Life Like Proto 2000 E7A

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-WAL-1

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AK-MB1

Speaker Kit
Accessories


Installation

This installation is for a HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 E7A using a TCS WOW121 Diesel Decoder, motor mount, AK-MB1 Motherboard with built in Keep Alive® and 32mm WOWSpeaker.

HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 E7A shown prior to installation. To start off this install, we must first remove the shell. Gently grasp along each side of the shell and release it outwards and lift the shell off of the frame. Take care to release the handrails as you lift off the shell so they don't break.
HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 E7A shown prior to installation. To start off this install, we must first remove the shell. Gently grasp along each side of the shell and release it outwards and 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 Life Like Proto 2000 E7A shown with the shell off. Remove the four screws highlighted above in red on the original lighting board along with the wires and remove it from the chassis.
The Life Like Proto 2000 E7A shown with the shell off. Remove the four screws highlighted above in red on the original lighting board along with the wires and remove it from the chassis.
With the original lighting board removed, trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
With the original lighting board removed, trim, tin or lengthen the wires as necessary.
Using double-sided foam tape, attach the motor mount to the frame, then using the same tape, attach the AK-MB1 to it and solder the motor and track pickup wires the motherboard according to the included wiring diagram.
Using double-sided foam tape, attach the motor mount to the frame, then using the same tape, attach the AK-MB1 to it and solder the motor and track pickup wires the motherboard according to the included wiring diagram.
Solder the front LEDs to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram and insulate these wire lead wire splices using small lengths of TCS 3/32" shrink tubing. 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. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
Solder the front LEDs to the AK-MB1 according to the included wiring diagram and insulate these wire lead wire splices using small lengths of TCS 3/32" shrink tubing. 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. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to apply external resistors for LED use.
Insert the 32mm WOWSound speaker into the opening and using a small amount of hot melt glue, secure it in place to the frame. 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.
Insert the 32mm WOWSound speaker into the opening and using a small amount of hot melt glue, secure it in place to the frame. 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.
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 shell. 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 E7A 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 shell. 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 E7A 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