SoundTraxx USA Trains PA-1 Installation Guide

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New Dimensions in Digital Sound Technolo

USA Trains PA-1

Sierra Sound System Installation Notes

Overview

This application note describes how to install your Sierra
sound system in the USA Trains PA-1. Please read through
the entire document to become comfortable with the
steps involved before beginning the installation. No major
mechanical modifications are required and the entire
process can be completed in a few hours.

Tools You Will Need

■ #2 Phillips Screw Driver with 4” shank

■ Wire cutters

■ Wire strippers

■ 25W Solder Iron

■ Rosin core solder

■ 1/4” Drill Bit

■ Electric Hand Drill or equivalent

■ Superlock Fastener Radio Shack #64-2360

■ 2 Sided Foam Tape Radio Shack #64-2343

■ Heat Shrink Tubing SoundTraxx P.N. 810037

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Installation

1. Locomotive Disassembly
Use a foam pad or thick towel to support the
locomotive body and turn it upside down. Be
careful of the horns and other details atop the
locomotive.

2. Remove the two screws securing the fuel tank
to the locomotive frame. Remove the fuel tank
and side ‘skirts’ (Figure 1).

3. Remove the four screws securing the pilot to
the locomotive frame as shown in Figure 2.
Remove the pilot to expose two screws
underneath.

4. Pop the lower ends of the handrails from the
step ladders on each side of the locomotive.
See Figure 3. You may also wish to remove the
step ladders from the locomotive frame to
prevent them from accidentally breaking off
while completing this installation.

Figure 1

Remove (4) Screw

Figure 2

Remove Hand-rails from step ladder

Figure 3

5. Remove the ten screws securing the

n

locomotive frame to the body shell as shown in
Figure 4. The screws near the truck side frames
will be most easily removed using a #2 Philips
screw-driver with a long shank. Carefully
separate the body shell from the frame.

Top View of Locomotive Floor

(rear)

1/4"

Drill 1/4" hole
for Charging Jack
(optional)

Mounting

Post

Remove (10) Screws at Locations show

Figure 4

6. There is an unused plug on the USA PC board at
the center of the locomotive labeled “SPEAK1”.
Cut a 9” length from the supplied red wire. Strip
and tin the ends. Solder one end directly to the
left plug post. Cut a 14” length from the
supplied green wire. Strip and tin the ends.
Solder one end to the right plug post. Insulate
the connections with heat shrink tubing (See
Figure 5).

2-1/8"

Figure 6

1/2"

Mounting
Post

5/8"

Control Switch (optional)

Drill 1/4" hole

for Remote Volume

Drill 1/4" hole for
Power Switch

1/2"

5/8"

10. Cut two 1”x1-1/2” strips of double-sided foam
tape and place them on one side of the battery.
Snugly press the battery against the floor close
to the coupler spring wire screw as shown in
Figure 7.

Figure 5

7. Locating the Switches
Mark and drill a 1/4” hole for the power switch
in the rear of the locomotive floor using Figure
6 as a guide.

8. If you are installing the optional Battery
Charging Kit (PN 810076), mark and drill a 1/4”
hole for the charging jack as shown in Figure 6.

9. If you are installing the optional Remote
Volume Control Switch (P.N. 810073), mark and
drill a 1/4" hole for the charging jack as shown
in Figure 6.

Figure 7

11. Installing both the Power Switch and

Battery Charging Jack

(Skip to Step 12 if you are not installing the
Battery Charging Kit.)

The following steps describe the installation of
both the Power Switch and the optional
Charging Jack. Insulate the soldered
connections with shrink tubing to prevent
accidental shorts.

n Cut the battery wire harness in half and strip

3/16” of the insulation from the ends of each
wire. Twist the ends of the (-) negative black
wire together and solder them to the Charging
Jack’s A terminal. Insulate the connection with
heat shrink tubing.

CAUTION: It is very easy to get the terminals A,
B, and C of the charging jack confused. Refer to
the drawing and make sure the correct
terminals are used.