Atlas Train Master Ph 1b

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-4

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AS-MB2

Speaker Kit
Keep Alive®

KA4



Installation

This installation is for a HO-Scale Atlas Train Master 1b using a TCS WOW121-Diesel Decoder, AS-MB2 Motherboard, KA4 with Keep Alive®, 32mm WOWSpeaker kit.

HO-Scale Atlas Train Master 1b prior to installation.
HO-Scale Atlas Train Master 1b prior to installation.
To start off this install, we must first remove the front and rear couplers screws as indicated above and remove their housings. With the couplers removed gently pull apart the shell at the two ends and along the sides and lift the shell off of the frame. Take care with 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 couplers screws as indicated above and remove their housings. With the couplers removed gently pull apart the shell at the two ends and along the sides and lift the shell off of the frame. Take care with the handrails as you lift off the shell so they don't break.
Shown with the shell off. Unplug the JST connectors and remove the original lighting board.
Shown with the shell off. Unplug the JST connectors and remove the original lighting board.
With the board off, take note of the wiring to be sure and replace it in it's correct location.
With the board off, take note of the wiring to be sure and replace it in it's correct location.
Attach the AS-MB2 onto the motor mount tabs and plug the JST connectors in the appropriate locations.
Attach the AS-MB2 onto the motor mount tabs and plug the JST connectors in the appropriate locations.
Next, solder the KA4 Keep Alive® to the AS-MB2 motherboard and using hot melt glue, secure the KA4 to the rear of the front weight. It is important to use this plug as it greatly increases the volume and sound quality. NOTE: The locomotive is shown here in the reverse orientation to highlight how the speaker plug should now be put in, placed opposite the speaker.
Next, solder the KA4 Keep Alive® to the AS-MB2 motherboard and using hot melt glue, secure the KA4 to the rear of the front weight. It is important to use this plug as it greatly increases the volume and sound quality. NOTE: The locomotive is shown here in the reverse orientation to highlight how the speaker plug should now be put in, placed opposite the speaker.
With this done, solder the speaker wire leads to the AS-MB2 motherboard and place the 32mm speaker in the other port within the frame, securing it with hot glue. 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. Plug in your WOW121-Diesel decoder.
With this done, solder the speaker wire leads to the AS-MB2 motherboard and place the 32mm speaker in the other port within the frame, securing it with hot glue. 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. 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 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 Train Master 1b is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
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 Train Master 1b 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