Life Like Proto 2000 GP38-2

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

WDK-LIF-3

Which includes the following items:

Decoder
Motherboard

IB-MB1

Speaker Kit


Installation

This installation documentation is for the HO Scale LifeLike Proto 2000 GP38-2. This installation utilizes the WDK-LIF-3 WOWKit including the IB-MB1 motherboard, WOW121 diesel decoder, and UNIV-SH4C speaker kit.

NOTE: This installation requires milling/cutting and modification to the locomotive frame in order to create sufficient space for the decoder and speaker.

Shown above, the HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 GP38-2 prior to installation.
Shown above, the HO-Scale Life Like Proto 2000 GP38-2 prior to installation.
Remove the couplers and coupler pockets, then pull straight up on the shell to remove it from the frame. Set the shell aside. Next, remove all the original light boards, lights, tape, and wires to clear the space for milling and cutting.
Remove the couplers and coupler pockets, then pull straight up on the shell to remove it from the frame. Set the shell aside. Next, remove all the original light boards, lights, tape, and wires to clear the space for milling and cutting.
DXI chose to replace the existing light bulbs with super bright TCS Sunny White 3mm LED's. The motherboard used in this installation is LED-ready without modification. Additionally, DXI used harnesses to replace the existing wires in the locomotive. The high-quality, flexible 30AWG wire used in TCS harnesses is easy to work with and reliable!
DXI chose to replace the existing light bulbs with super bright TCS Sunny White 3mm LED's. The motherboard used in this installation is LED-ready without modification. Additionally, DXI used harnesses to replace the existing wires in the locomotive. The high-quality, flexible 30AWG wire used in TCS harnesses is easy to work with and reliable!
Shown with installation complete.
Shown with installation complete.

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