Atlas GE U23B

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 Atlas GE U23B. This installation uses the WDK-ATL-3 Kit which includes the AK-MB1, WOW121-Diesel decoder, and UNIV-SH1 -C speaker kit

The Atlas GE U23B shown prior to installation. To begin, remove the couplers by unscrewing the screws highlighted below in red.
The Atlas GE U23B shown prior to installation. To begin, remove the couplers by unscrewing the screws highlighted below in red.
With the couplers removed, carefully release these tabs located underneath and along the sides of the shell. The shell will lift off.
With the couplers removed, carefully release these tabs located underneath and along the sides of the shell. The shell will lift off.
The Atlas GE U23B shown with the shell off. To continue, remove the original lighting board by pulling off the plastic wire retainers and then un-clipping the circuit board from the motor.
The Atlas GE U23B shown with the shell off. To continue, remove the original lighting board by pulling off the plastic wire retainers and then un-clipping the circuit board from the motor.
Cut, trim or lengthen and tin the wire leads as necessary.
Cut, trim or lengthen and tin the wire leads as necessary.
Remove the screw highlighted above in red and with it, the rear weight. This space is needed for the speaker. The weight may be milled or trimmed down, or removed entirely as we have done for this installation.
Remove the screw highlighted above in red and with it, the rear weight. This space is needed for the speaker. The weight may be milled or trimmed down, or removed entirely as we have done for this installation.
Clip the AK-MB1 motherboard to the chassis in the orientation as shown and solder the track and motor wire leads to it.
Clip the AK-MB1 motherboard to the chassis in the orientation as shown and solder the track and motor wire leads to it.
Since the rear weight was removed for this installation, we spliced wire leads to the rear LED and used a dab of hot glue to mount it to the light tube. It might be necessary to slightly trim the tube to allow proper space for the speaker enclosure. 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. White light LED output is the least affected, while the 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. The front LED was placed with a dab of hot melt glue back into the original mounting channel.
Since the rear weight was removed for this installation, we spliced wire leads to the rear LED and used a dab of hot glue to mount it to the light tube. It might be necessary to slightly trim the tube to allow proper space for the speaker enclosure. 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. White light LED output is the least affected, while the 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. The front LED was placed with a dab of hot melt glue back into the original mounting channel.
Using foam, double sided tape, mount the speaker enclosure with speaker to the roof of the shell as shown. If your speaker enclosure installation covers the portholes on the enclosure, we recommend adding new porthole(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.
Using foam, double sided tape, mount the speaker enclosure with speaker to the roof of the shell as shown. If your speaker enclosure installation covers the portholes on the enclosure, we recommend adding new porthole(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.
The installation shown complete.
The installation shown complete.
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 Atlas GE U23B 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 Atlas GE U23B 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