Atlas U23B

Scale:
O Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


Installation

NOTE: This installation includes a part which is not currently available from TCS - the 50mm speaker used in this installation was in testing when this installation was performed. Stay tuned for an update from TCS regarding the availability of this product!

ADDITIONAL NOTE: We discovered that the trucks on this locomotive did not have matching wires - the front truck and rear truck wires colors were reversed, shorting the command station. We HIGHLY recommend verifying the wiring of your trucks by checking continuity between the rails and the track power wires.

This installation documentation is for the O-Scale Atlas U23B. This installation uses the WOW501-Diesel decoder, 50mm Speaker, and was performed by DCC Xpress Installations.
This installation documentation is for the O-Scale Atlas U23B. This installation uses the WOW501-Diesel decoder, 50mm Speaker, and was performed by DCC Xpress Installations.
To start this installation, first carefully remove the Air Reservoirs on either side of the fuel tank.There are two small clips on each end holding them in. With these removed, you have access to the speaker mount screws.
To start this installation, first carefully remove the Air Reservoirs on either side of the fuel tank.There are two small clips on each end holding them in. With these removed, you have access to the speaker mount screws.
The end handrails also need to be released as well as the end of the side rails. This will allow the swing out of the end platform to remove the shell.
The end handrails also need to be released as well as the end of the side rails. This will allow the swing out of the end platform to remove the shell.
Remove the screws shown above and set aside for later.
Remove the screws shown above and set aside for later.
Then remove the screws highlighted above and also set these aside.
Then remove the screws highlighted above and also set these aside.
With these screws removed, the end platforms can swing up out of the way for the shell to come off of the chassis.
With these screws removed, the end platforms can swing up out of the way for the shell to come off of the chassis.
By rotating the truck to one side, you can see and remove this screw. Set is aside for later.
By rotating the truck to one side, you can see and remove this screw. Set is aside for later.
By rotating the truck the opposite way, you can see and remove this screws. Set it aside for later.
By rotating the truck the opposite way, you can see and remove this screws. Set it aside for later.
With the shell removed, remove the four screws highlight above in red to access the speaker enclosure.
With the shell removed, remove the four screws highlight above in red to access the speaker enclosure.
The Atlas U23B shown with the shell off. Remove the wires from the original lighting board. Squeeze the four connectors holding this board in place and remove the board from the chassis. You can clip the wire leads from the lighting plugs at this time.
The Atlas U23B shown with the shell off. Remove the wires from the original lighting board. Squeeze the four connectors holding this board in place and remove the board from the chassis. You can clip the wire leads from the lighting plugs at this time.
With the lighting board removed, lay a layer of double sided foam tape onto the raised round portion on the frame and then place a piece of plastic or similar insulating material on top of it. Then add a second layer of the same tape to mount the WOW501 to.
With the lighting board removed, lay a layer of double sided foam tape onto the raised round portion on the frame and then place a piece of plastic or similar insulating material on top of it. Then add a second layer of the same tape to mount the WOW501 to.
With the WOW501 in place, trim, tin or lengthen the wire leads as needed and using small lengths of TCS 3/32" and 3/64" shrink tubing, insulate these solder leads. Attach the motor and track pick up leads to the decoder screw in terminals.
With the WOW501 in place, trim, tin or lengthen the wire leads as needed and using small lengths of TCS 3/32" and 3/64" shrink tubing, insulate these solder leads. Attach the motor and track pick up leads to the decoder screw in terminals.
Next, take the 50mm WOWsound speaker and feed the wire leads through the hole in the chassis. Attach it to either one of the speaker terminals.
Next, take the 50mm WOWsound speaker and feed the wire leads through the hole in the chassis. Attach it to either one of the speaker terminals.
Place the speaker facing down into the mount on the bottom of the tank and using hot melt glue, secure this in place. 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.
Place the speaker facing down into the mount on the bottom of the tank and using hot melt glue, secure this in place. 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.
With the LED wire leads prepared, solder a 1K resistor to the negative wire and attach the other side of this resistor to the front and rear lighting screw terminal.
With the LED wire leads prepared, solder a 1K resistor to the negative wire and attach the other side of this resistor to the front and rear lighting screw terminal.
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using lacing cord, which is a wax impregnated string  used for wire bundling and making harnesses. There are many choices of lacing cord available from Digikey www.digikey.com. We use part number 802534B BK032-ND Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the screws and handrails that were earlier removed. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your O Scale Atlas U23B 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, which is a wax impregnated string  used for wire bundling and making harnesses. There are many choices of lacing cord available from Digikey www.digikey.com. We use part number 802534B BK032-ND Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the screws and handrails that were earlier removed. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your O Scale Atlas U23B 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