Bachmann Consolidation 2-8-0

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WSK-BAC-1

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

B-MB1

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation documentation is for the Bachmann Consolidation 2-8-0. This particular model features an older style of tender used with previous runs of the Consolidation. This installation uses the WSK-BAC-1 WOWkit which includes the B-MB1, UNIV-SH2-C speaker kit, and WOW121-Steam decoder. Also used in this installation is the 2-Pin Mini Connector. This installation was performed by TCS.

The picture above shows the locomotive prior to the decoder installation.
The picture above shows the locomotive prior to the decoder installation.
First, remove the screw identified above with the red circle from the underside of the tender.
First, remove the screw identified above with the red circle from the underside of the tender.
With the tender screw removed, we now have access to the factory light board. Next, remove the two screws securing the factory light board to the tender chassis. Make sure to save these two screws as they will be used to secure the B-MB1 to the tender chassis.
With the tender screw removed, we now have access to the factory light board. Next, remove the two screws securing the factory light board to the tender chassis. Make sure to save these two screws as they will be used to secure the B-MB1 to the tender chassis.
With the factory light board removed, we can now use those same two screws to secure the motherboard the tender chassis. ***Please note: There is little to no standardization of wire colors in Bachmann steam engines. Do not use the colors of the wires on the original board as your wiring guide.***
With the factory light board removed, we can now use those same two screws to secure the motherboard the tender chassis. ***Please note: There is little to no standardization of wire colors in Bachmann steam engines. Do not use the colors of the wires on the original board as your wiring guide.***
The image above shows the standard wire colors for DCC installations.
The image above shows the standard wire colors for DCC installations.
De-solder the harness wires from the factory light board and solder them to the motherboard following the wire colors diagram shown above. At this time, we also make our speaker wire connection using a 2 Pin Mini Connector with purple wires (item #1521).
De-solder the harness wires from the factory light board and solder them to the motherboard following the wire colors diagram shown above. At this time, we also make our speaker wire connection using a 2 Pin Mini Connector with purple wires (item #1521).
With our wires all soldered, we can now plug in the WOW121-Steam decoder.
With our wires all soldered, we can now plug in the WOW121-Steam decoder.
With the motherboard and decoder installed, we can now start fitting and installing the speaker. Start by remove the coal load from the tender. Do this by pushing the tab (noted with the red circle above) and push the coal load up and out of the tender shell.
With the motherboard and decoder installed, we can now start fitting and installing the speaker. Start by remove the coal load from the tender. Do this by pushing the tab (noted with the red circle above) and push the coal load up and out of the tender shell.
Here is the coal load removed from the shell and unmodified.
Here is the coal load removed from the shell and unmodified.
Next, we need to drill small holes in the coal to allow the sound to exit the tender. We found that 70+ #68 holes worked best. Make sure that the holes you drill are only within the diameter of the speaker you intend to mount because any holes outside the diameter of the speaker will actually reduce the sound produced.
Next, we need to drill small holes in the coal to allow the sound to exit the tender. We found that 70+ #68 holes worked best. Make sure that the holes you drill are only within the diameter of the speaker you intend to mount because any holes outside the diameter of the speaker will actually reduce the sound produced.
Without light shining from behind the coal load, the holes simply disappear into the lumps of coal.
Without light shining from behind the coal load, the holes simply disappear into the lumps of coal.
With the coal load drilled out for the speaker, we can now mount the speaker to the underside of the coal load. In our install, some hot glue works well with securing and sealing the speaker to the coal load. Prior to gluing the speaker in place, we also attached the other half of our 2 Pin Mini Connector the speaker. It's best to do this prior to gluing the speaker in place as to avoid accidentally coming into contact with any of the plastic with the soldering iron.
With the coal load drilled out for the speaker, we can now mount the speaker to the underside of the coal load. In our install, some hot glue works well with securing and sealing the speaker to the coal load. Prior to gluing the speaker in place, we also attached the other half of our 2 Pin Mini Connector the speaker. It's best to do this prior to gluing the speaker in place as to avoid accidentally coming into contact with any of the plastic with the soldering iron.
Next, feed the speaker wires through the rectangular opening in the top of the tender and snap the coal load back into place. Finally, connect the 2 Pin Mini Connector and screw the tender shell back onto the tender chassis. You have now installed a TCS Bachmann Motherboard 1 and WOW121 Steam decoder into your HO-Scale Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation.
Next, feed the speaker wires through the rectangular opening in the top of the tender and snap the coal load back into place. Finally, connect the 2 Pin Mini Connector and screw the tender shell back onto the tender chassis. You have now installed a TCS Bachmann Motherboard 1 and WOW121 Steam decoder into your HO-Scale Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation.

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