IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WSK-BAC-4

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

B-MB4

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation documentation is for the HO-scale IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation. This installation uses the WOW121-Steam Decoder, B-MB4 Motherboard with built in Keep Alive®, and 28mm WOWSpeaker. Also used in this installation are two TCS 3mm Golden While LED to replace the incandescent lamps, and a 6-Pin Mini Connector to connect the locomotive to the tender.

The IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation shown prior to installation.
The IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation shown prior to installation.
To begin, first loosen the front truck swing screw to gain access to the screw below it, then remove this screw. With this done, release the shell from the rear of the locomotive and lift the shell from the chassis.
To begin, first loosen the front truck swing screw to gain access to the screw below it, then remove this screw. With this done, release the shell from the rear of the locomotive and lift the shell from the chassis.
The locomotive shown with the shell off. Identify the track pickup and motor wires. Trim, lengthen and tin these leads as necessary to prepare them for the new harness.
The locomotive shown with the shell off. Identify the track pickup and motor wires. Trim, lengthen and tin these leads as necessary to prepare them for the new harness.
In this installation, the front headlight bulb was replaced. The front boiler plate is easily removed and the current bulb was removed and replaced with a long-lasting super bright TCS Golden White LED. The new leads can be fed from the LED back through the locomotive to the harness.
In this installation, the front headlight bulb was replaced. The front boiler plate is easily removed and the current bulb was removed and replaced with a long-lasting super bright TCS Golden White LED. The new leads can be fed from the LED back through the locomotive to the harness.
Drill a small hole in the rear of the locomotive as shown to create a path for the new harness. Feed the wired from the harness up through this hole before making your connections. Wire the harness to the motor, track power, and forward headlight.
Drill a small hole in the rear of the locomotive as shown to create a path for the new harness. Feed the wired from the harness up through this hole before making your connections. Wire the harness to the motor, track power, and forward headlight.
The locomotive wiring shown complete. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to wire external resistors for LED use. The locomotive is now complete and can be re-assambled.
The locomotive wiring shown complete. TCS motherboards include on board current limit resistors for LED use. There is no need to wire external resistors for LED use. The locomotive is now complete and can be re-assambled.
The next step in the installation is to address the tender. To start, remove the screw highlighted above in red and the tender shell will lift off.
The next step in the installation is to address the tender. To start, remove the screw highlighted above in red and the tender shell will lift off.
The tender shown with the shell off. Remove the original components and light.
The tender shown with the shell off. Remove the original components and light.
Carefully remove both tender truck assemblies and set them aside for reinstallation keeping them in the correct orientation for proper track pick up.
Carefully remove both tender truck assemblies and set them aside for reinstallation keeping them in the correct orientation for proper track pick up.
To allow the sound to properly exit the tender, drill a series of small holes in the floor of the tender chassis, being careful to avoid and structural areas. You may alternatively port the coal load if desired.
To allow the sound to properly exit the tender, drill a series of small holes in the floor of the tender chassis, being careful to avoid and structural areas. You may alternatively port the coal load if desired.
Like the front headlight, we added a LED in the rear of the tender. With the lens in the ceiling in the rear of the tender, using hot melt glue, the LED was mounted facing up into this lens.
Like the front headlight, we added a LED in the rear of the tender. With the lens in the ceiling in the rear of the tender, using hot melt glue, the LED was mounted facing up into this lens.
Using foam double-sided foam tape, mount the UNIV-SH2-C enclosure to the chassis floor as shown. Next, using the same tape, mount the B-MB4 motherboard and solder the speaker and new wiring harness to it as directed by the wiring diagram.
Using foam double-sided foam tape, mount the UNIV-SH2-C enclosure to the chassis floor as shown. Next, using the same tape, mount the B-MB4 motherboard and solder the speaker and new wiring harness to it as directed by the wiring diagram.
The tender shown with the new wiring harness in place. Solder the rear LED to the motherboard and you can now plug in your WOW121 Steam decoder. Close up the locomotive and tender assemblies. Be mindful of wire routing and reassembly as to not crush any wires or foul the installation. Your IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
The tender shown with the new wiring harness in place. Solder the rear LED to the motherboard and you can now plug in your WOW121 Steam decoder. Close up the locomotive and tender assemblies. Be mindful of wire routing and reassembly as to not crush any wires or foul the installation. Your IHC 2-8-0 Consolidation 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