Atlas VO1000

Scale:
N Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation is for the N Scale Atlas VO1000 and uses a TCS VO-1000 decoder and was performed by A.G.

The three pictures above show the Atlas Baldwin VO1000 with its shell on.The TCS VO-1000 Decoder will be installed.
The three pictures above show the Atlas Baldwin VO1000 with its shell on.The TCS VO-1000 Decoder will be installed.
First remove the shell by squeezing it on either side of the locomotive and gently rock it back and forth until it slips off the frame.
First remove the shell by squeezing it on either side of the locomotive and gently rock it back and forth until it slips off the frame.
Now remove the screws from the chassis. Do not remove the drive train if possible.
Now remove the screws from the chassis. Do not remove the drive train if possible.
Spread both halves of the frame apart and remove the original light board as shown in the picture above.
Spread both halves of the frame apart and remove the original light board as shown in the picture above.
Insert a small piece of 1/4" Kapton tape between the frame and the copper tab (marked in red). Make sure there is no short between the frame and the motor copper tab.
Insert a small piece of 1/4" Kapton tape between the frame and the copper tab (marked in red). Make sure there is no short between the frame and the motor copper tab.
Do the same for the other side. Make sure there is no short between the frame and the motor copper tab.
Do the same for the other side. Make sure there is no short between the frame and the motor copper tab.
Next slip the decoder between the two halves of the frame and reassemble it. NOTE: Make sure that the motor tabs line up properly with the motor pads on the decoder.
Next slip the decoder between the two halves of the frame and reassemble it. NOTE: Make sure that the motor tabs line up properly with the motor pads on the decoder.
Insert the left screw.
Insert the left screw.
Insert the right screw.
Insert the right screw.
Here is a picture of the finished TCS VO-1000 installation. Reattach the shell and you are ready to run your locomotive on DCC.
Here is a picture of the finished TCS VO-1000 installation. Reattach the shell and you are ready to run your locomotive on DCC.

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