Life Like E1

Scale:
HO Scale


WOWKit used in this installation

Kit Coming Soon

Which includes the following items:



Installation

This installation documentation is for the a HO Scale Life Like E1. This installation uses the WOW121 Diesel decoder, AK-MB1 motherboard with Keep Alive, and WOWSound 28mm Hi Bass Speaker and was performed by our friends at DXI.

The Life Like E1 shown prior to installation. To start the installation, remove the couplers from each end and gently separate the shell along the two sides and lift it off of the frame.
The Life Like E1 shown prior to installation. To start the installation, remove the couplers from each end and gently separate the shell along the two sides and lift it off of the frame.
Shown with the shell off. Remove the interior components including the decoder, lighting board and speakers.
Shown with the shell off. Remove the interior components including the decoder, lighting board and speakers.
Shown with some of the components removed. Clip off the original connectors and remove the two screens, leaving in place the shell lighting boards and the small one located at the rear of the locomotive.
Shown with some of the components removed. Clip off the original connectors and remove the two screens, leaving in place the shell lighting boards and the small one located at the rear of the locomotive.
With the lighting board removed, trim or lengthen, then tin the wires as necessary.
With the lighting board removed, trim or lengthen, then tin the wires as necessary.
Using foam double-sided tape, mount the AK-MB1 motherboard to the locomotive as shown. Solder the track and motor wire leads to it in accordance with the wiring diagram.
Using foam double-sided tape, mount the AK-MB1 motherboard to the locomotive as shown. Solder the track and motor wire leads to it in accordance with the wiring diagram.
Set the 28mm High Bass WOWSpeaker into the rear speaker port and secure it with a small amount of hot melt glue. Solder these wire leads to the motherboard.
Set the 28mm High Bass WOWSpeaker into the rear speaker port and secure it with a small amount of hot melt glue. Solder these wire leads to the motherboard.
A closer view of the AK-MB1 in place with all the solder connections.
A closer view of the AK-MB1 in place with all the solder connections.
Solder the original LED wire leads to the motherboard according to the wiring diagram. You can now plug in your WOW121-Diesel decoder.
Solder the original LED wire leads to the motherboard according to the wiring diagram. You can now plug in your WOW121-Diesel decoder.
Lastly, in order to keep the wires neat and prevent possible shorts, lace the wires into a bundle using lacing cord. Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the coupler assemblies. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Life Like E1 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. Now you can close up the locomotive and reinstall the coupler assemblies. Be sure to be mindful of wire routing and reassembly of the shell as to not damage or foul the installation. Your Life Like E1 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