Atlas Silver EMD GP40 / GP40-2 (All Phases)

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-ATL-5

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

AS-MB2

Speaker Kit
Keep Alive®

KA4

Accessories


Installation

This installation is for a HO Scale Atlas Silver GP40-2 Phase 2 using a TCS WOW121 Decoder, AS-MB2 motherboard, KA4 Keep Alive®, 
30mm WOWSpeaker kit by TCS.

The picture above shows the beautiful Atlas Silver GP40-2 Phase 2 with its shell on prior to installation.
The picture above shows the beautiful Atlas Silver GP40-2 Phase 2 with its shell on prior to installation.
To begin this installation, you must first remove the front and rear coupler box screws as indicated above and then the coupler boxes. With them removed, grasp the shell on either side and pull outward gently while lifting up.
To begin this installation, you must first remove the front and rear coupler box screws as indicated above and then the coupler boxes. With them removed, grasp the shell on either side and pull outward gently while lifting up.
The Atlas GP40-2 Phase 2 shown with the shell off. Unplug the JST connectors, remove the original lighting board and the speaker plug.
The Atlas GP40-2 Phase 2 shown with the shell off. Unplug the JST connectors, remove the original lighting board and the speaker plug.
Utilizing the original JST connectors, attach the AS-MB-2 motherboard and plug the connectors in the appropriate spaces.
Utilizing the original JST connectors, attach the AS-MB-2 motherboard and plug the connectors in the appropriate spaces.
Mount the KA4 to the rear of the front light post with double sided foam tape or hot glue and solder the leads to the AS-MB2 according to the included wiring diagram.
Mount the KA4 to the rear of the front light post with double sided foam tape or hot glue and solder the leads to the AS-MB2 according to the included wiring diagram.
Install the 30mm speaker into the right side of frame opening as shown facing in and solder the wire leads to the motherboard. The right side mount was chosen as this is a very tight installation and a left mounted speaker prevents the bottom frame member from properly aligning with the shell. With the speaker in this orientation, the shell installs tightly.
Install the 30mm speaker into the right side of frame opening as shown facing in and solder the wire leads to the motherboard. The right side mount was chosen as this is a very tight installation and a left mounted speaker prevents the bottom frame member from properly aligning with the shell. With the speaker in this orientation, the shell installs tightly.
It is important to use this plug as it greatly increases the volume and sound quality. 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 GP40-2 Phase 2 is now WOWSound equipped and ready to roll!
It is important to use this plug as it greatly increases the volume and sound quality. 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 GP40-2 Phase 2 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