Life Like Proto 2000 FA1

Scale:
HO Scale


This installation uses the following decoder:


This installation of TCS DP2-LL Decoder is for HO Scale LifeLike Proto 2000 FA1 and was performed by TCS.

It is worth mentioning that this installation is very easy and can be done by a beginner.

The three upper pictures show the beautiful LifeLike Proto 2000 FA1 with its shell on.
The three upper pictures show the beautiful LifeLike Proto 2000 FA1 with its shell on.
Gently unsnap tabs on the shell from indentations in the chassis on both sides. Grasping the shell at the center top of both sides, bring shell forward in order to clear the front coupler. After clearing the coupler, lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis The picture above is of the locomotive with its shell taken off and original light board - DCC plug circled in red.
Gently unsnap tabs on the shell from indentations in the chassis on both sides. Grasping the shell at the center top of both sides, bring shell forward in order to clear the front coupler. After clearing the coupler, lift the shell straight up and off of the chassis The picture above is of the locomotive with its shell taken off and original light board - DCC plug circled in red.
Gently, pull all the wires to the side of the DCC plug so it can be removed.
Gently, pull all the wires to the side of the DCC plug so it can be removed.
Being very careful with all wires, remove the DCC plug from the socket.
Being very careful with all wires, remove the DCC plug from the socket.
Plug the DP2-LL into the socket oriented the same as the image above. Hold the shell in one hand and the chassis in the other. Place the front coupler (on the chassis) through the opening in the pilot (on the shell). Lower shell onto chassis. Continue lowering the shell until the four round tabs on the chassis (two on each side, just above the fuel tank) snap into the four circular indentations on the side of the shell. The last thing to do is remaping so that the Mars light can be turned On/Off with button 1. CV34=4 CV51 = 0 Now, when the engine runs forward, and button 0 is pressed - the headlight stays On. When Button 1 is pressed the Mars light is On.
Plug the DP2-LL into the socket oriented the same as the image above. Hold the shell in one hand and the chassis in the other. Place the front coupler (on the chassis) through the opening in the pilot (on the shell). Lower shell onto chassis. Continue lowering the shell until the four round tabs on the chassis (two on each side, just above the fuel tank) snap into the four circular indentations on the side of the shell. The last thing to do is remaping so that the Mars light can be turned On/Off with button 1. CV34=4 CV51 = 0 Now, when the engine runs forward, and button 0 is pressed - the headlight stays On. When Button 1 is pressed the Mars light is On.

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