Return to the BUILD
“In this stage, you fit the PCB and speaker to the chassis, install the interior of the Ectomobile and work on the electrical components of your model.”
With all the wiring connections in this stage, it will take a little longer than usual to complete.
Contents
Parts
Materials: All of the non-electronic bits here are plastic.
Build
PCB, Speaker & Wires
Step 01
Retrieve your Chassis assembly from Stage 36. Fit the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) to this location on the Chassis:
Align the mounting holes to the posts below and secure the PCB to the Chassis using four (4) EM screws:
Do not over-tighten these screws as you may damage/crack the circuit board. This is also your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Connect the red/black power cable from the Battery Box to the plug marked ‘A’ (red/black wires) on the PCB:
Do not force any of these plugs together as they have specific polarity and should only connect one way. The wire colors should match to each other on both sides of the plugs. On my model, I have the Power Mod installed, so I just connected the nearby power cable instead of the Battery Box cable:
Step 02
Fit the Speaker into the circular recess next to the PCB, as shown:
Place the Speaker Bracket over the Speaker, aligning the two screw holes.
The smooth surface of the Speaker Bracket should be on top:
Secure the Speaker Bracket to the Chassis with two (2) QM screws:
Connect the Speaker cable to the plug marked ‘I’ (yellow wires) on the PCB:
Lay the shorter group of wires from the PCB along the Speaker and out the left side of the car, as shown.
If you have the Power Mod installed, you may want to run your rear power connectors alongside these wires as well:
Step 03
Run the remaining longer wiring as shown, securing them to the Chassis with the three Stickers.
I chose to cut the Stickers in half, so I would have six of them:
I put three Stickers along here:
And, the other three Stickers along here. Note where these longer PCB wires come out the left side of the car (between the two circular raised posts):
Retrieve your Interior assembly from the previous stage and fit it down onto the Chassis. Make sure to slide the Steering Column shaft through this matching hole in the Ventilation/Heater Control Panel assembly of the Dashboard, as shown:
If you have the Power Mod installed, make sure your front power leads are easily accessible, like this:
While holding the Interior assembly in place, turn the entire Chassis over, and secure the Interior into place with thirteen (13) JP screws.
The first four (4) JP screws go through these holes on either side of the Front Middle Chassis:
The next four (4) JP screws go through these holes on either side of the Middle Chassis:
The next two (2) JP screws go through these holes under the Rear Axle, one on each side:
The final three (3) JP screws go through these holes of the Rear Chassis. You may have to ‘flex’ the Cargo Area Floor a bit to get these posts to fit down into the matching holes in the chassis:
Step 04
Route the rear group of wires up into this gap over the left rear wheel, fit the Wire Retainer over the wires and onto these two screw posts, then secure them all in place with two (2) IP screws as shown:
I left my rear Power Mod connectors out of this Wire Retainer…
… and just tucked them back under the Cargo Area Floor in case I need them later on:
At the front group of wires, plug the Siren Switch (white wires marked ‘B’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘B’) with the matching white wires.
All of the following connections connect the Dashboard wiring to the PCB wiring:
Plug the Roof Lights Switch (blue wires marked ‘C’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘C’) with the matching blue wires:
Plug the Engine Sound Switch (blue/green wires marked ‘D’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘D’) with the matching blue/green wires:
Plug the Horn Switch (green wires marked ‘E’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘E’) with the matching green wires:
Plug the Main Light Switch (grey wires marked ‘F’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘F’) with the matching grey wires:
Plug the Brake Pedal Switch (black wires marked ‘G’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘G’) with the matching black wires:
Plug the Dashboard Light (red/white wires marked ‘H’) into the PCB plug (marked ‘H’) with the matching red/white wires:
There should still be five (5) unconnected wiring plugs left over here at the front of the car. These will be connected in the next stage:
Thoughts
Wiring everywhere! There is so much wiring here that I have put the data together on The Wiring page. This shows what every wire is for and where it goes. The remaining extension Wires 65F, 65G, 65H, 65I, 65J and the four Supports were not used in this stage and should be safely stored until we need them later (the extension wires will be needed in Stage 67).
FYI, the Supports are included to support the Chassis assembly while we work on it and possibly even after we are finished. They will fit under the center of the Chassis and keep the weight of the car off the rubber tires.
Next Up
Stage 66 – LEDs (Headlights, Tail Lights, Ceiling), Door Switches