Kato RS-1

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-2

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AK-MB1

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation documentation is for the HO-Scale Kato RS-1. This installation uses the TCS WOW121-Diesel Decoder, AK-MB1 with Keep Alive and UNIV-SH4-C WOWSpeaker Kit and was performed by our friends at DCC Xpress.

The Kato RS-1 shown prior to installation. To start the installation, remove the couplers and gently squeeze the sides of the shell toward the bottom and lift up, leaving the platform in place.
The Kato RS-1 shown prior to installation. To start the installation, remove the couplers and gently squeeze the sides of the shell toward the bottom and lift up, leaving the platform in place.
Shown with the shell off. Bend the motor pickup tabs out of the way and then remove the original lighting board.
Shown with the shell off. Bend the motor pickup tabs out of the way and then remove the original lighting board.
With the lighting board removed, trim the motor contacts and solder new wires. Be sure to insulate them with shrink tubing or Kapton or electrical tape.
With the lighting board removed, trim the motor contacts and solder new wires. Be sure to insulate them with shrink tubing or Kapton or electrical tape.
Mount the AK-MB1 motherboard to the locomotive as shown using the existing mounting clips. Solder the track and motor leads to it in accordance with the wiring diagram.
Mount the AK-MB1 motherboard to the locomotive as shown using the existing mounting clips. Solder the track and motor leads to it in accordance with the wiring diagram.
In this installation, we replaced the single light bulb with two new long-lasting TCS Sunny White LED's. To do this, remove the two light tubes and trim as necessary. Create a small divot in each to accept the new LED. Use a small dab of hot melt glue to mount the LED into the space created for them in the light tubes. TCS motherboards include resistors and it is not necessary to add them to this installation.
In this installation, we replaced the single light bulb with two new long-lasting TCS Sunny White LED's. To do this, remove the two light tubes and trim as necessary. Create a small divot in each to accept the new LED. Use a small dab of hot melt glue to mount the LED into the space created for them in the light tubes. TCS motherboards include resistors and it is not necessary to add them to this installation.
Next, with the 25mm x 14mm speaker inserted into the UNIV-SH4-C speaker housing, mount it onto the top of the shell as shown.
Next, with the 25mm x 14mm speaker inserted into the UNIV-SH4-C speaker housing, mount it onto the top of the shell as shown.
Solder the new LED wire leads as well as the speaker wire leads to the AK-MB1 motherboard according to the wiring diagram.
Solder the new LED wire leads as well as the speaker wire leads to the AK-MB1 motherboard according to the wiring diagram.
You can now plug in your WOW121 Diesel 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. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Kato RS-1 is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
You can now plug in your WOW121 Diesel 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. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Kato RS-1 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