Topic: My RC live steam tugboat / icebreaker (Read 70611 times)

Proteus · « **Reply #75 on:** January 18, 2009, 02:22:13 am »

Quote from: MONAHAN STEAM MODELS on January 18, 2009, 01:57:51 am

Hi
I have started building two more steam powered tugs which both models do not have enough windows or openings to allow for proper air circulation. What I have chosen to do with one of the tugs, is to install two miniature "computer type" cooling fans that I bought at a local electronics store. These fans are very small and very quite. They do not require much power either. My idea is that, one of these fans will draw air into the hull through a skylight on the model. The incoming air from this fan will then be routed and distributed throughout the hull via some ducting which will carry fresh air to the steam plant. The other small fan will pull air out of the hull to help keep too much heat from building up inside the model. I have not had much free time lately to continue work on either of these tugs so I will not know if this system will work well yet.

Nick

You may have a problem with the fan that is sucking, as it will be pulling wet steamy air through it, just keep an eye on it, the pushing ones work well.

Proteus

kno3 · « **Reply #76 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:01:50 am »

Quote from: MONAHAN STEAM MODELS on January 18, 2009, 01:57:51 am

Hi Kno3,

The tugboat "Seguin" that I built and posted pictures of here on this forum does have one of our steam plants installed. With this model I chose to leave all of the window glazing off in order to allow enough air to be available to the steam plant. I haven't had any trouble with air circulation or excessive heat build up with this particular model.

I have started building two more steam powered tugs which both models do not have enough windows or openings to allow for proper air circulation. What I have chosen to do with one of the tugs, is to install two miniature "computer type" cooling fans that I bought at a local electronics store. These fans are very small and very quite. They do not require much power either. My idea is that, one of these fans will draw air into the hull through a skylight on the model. The incoming air from this fan will then be routed and distributed throughout the hull via some ducting which will carry fresh air to the steam plant. The other small fan will pull air out of the hull to help keep too much heat from building up inside the model. I have not had much free time lately to continue work on either of these tugs so I will not know if this system will work well yet.

Nick

I have bought a very small fan too. It's 25x25mm and has an aluminum body. Now I'm trying to figure out how to power it from my receiver in the boat... or directly from the batteries? As you can see, I know almost othing about r/c electronics, and this is my first boat and attempt at r/c.

I was thinking about installing the fan just under the pilot's cabin and make some air intake holes in the front of its base and a pipe to direct the air jet towards the burner chamber.

logoman · « **Reply #77 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:08:10 am »

Quote from: kno3 on January 16, 2009, 08:52:01 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAeMxsBN9hI

thanks, you have IM.

kno3 · « **Reply #78 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:13:47 am »

What do I have?

Bernhard · « **Reply #79 on:** January 18, 2009, 12:04:43 pm »

regards Bernhard

MONAHAN STEAM MODELS · « **Reply #80 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:26:58 pm »

Soo true!

ian kennedy · « **Reply #81 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:19:14 am »

Hi Nick and Proteus,

RE PC cooling fans, i am using six small lap top fans in my steam model of HMS Inflexible

Four fans are linked to cowl vents in front of and over the boiler/burner area and two more between the boiler and engines, although the last two don't really need to be fitted, because the others provide quite a high positive pressure inside the sealed hull and any warm wet air is expelled through other open vents in the superstructure.

The system seems to work very well in this set up, the hull measures 44" x 10" x 3 1/2" draught.

As for heat shielding i also use the tape mentioned, but with some thin soldering Matt bonded to the back of it, just as extra insurance for any excessive heat soak issues.

Regards

Ian

kno3 · « **Reply #82 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:21:02 pm »

Hi Ian, do you have any pictures of the fan set-up? Do they have extra batteries?

craftysod · « **Reply #83 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:45:13 pm »

If anyone needs fans from pc,i have a few,no cost no p+p cos i am a nice guy will send for free
Mark

kno3 · « **Reply #84 on:** January 19, 2009, 08:30:19 pm »

How big are they?

Bee · « **Reply #85 on:** January 19, 2009, 08:45:47 pm »

anyone thought of running the fan off a little single cylinder oscillator - seems more appropriate.

ian kennedy · « **Reply #86 on:** January 19, 2009, 10:37:12 pm »

Hi Kno,

I don't have any photo's at the moment but when i get the new workshop up and running i will post some here for you.

They run off a small 6 volt gell cell batt and can be switched on and off via R/C from the tranny.

Ian

catengineman · « **Reply #87 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:17:54 pm »

Hi this is where you all find out that I know zilch about steam models

I have read that you are putting fans to get the draught for the burners (or have I got that wrong) is it not possible to make the exhausted steam *draw * through the fire box and thus create hotter burn and more steam.

R,

Proteus · « **Reply #88 on:** January 19, 2009, 11:54:14 pm »

The main reason is to get enough air to the burner so that it can burn correctly, then secondly you want to get the hot air moving out so you don't get hot spots below the superstructure.

Proteus

kno3 · « **Reply #89 on:** January 20, 2009, 09:24:00 am »

Quote from: catengineman on January 19, 2009, 11:17:54 pm

Hi this is where you all find out that I know zilch about steam models

I have read that you are putting fans to get the draught for the burners (or have I got that wrong) is it not possible to make the exhausted steam *draw * through the fire box and thus create hotter burn and more steam.

R,

I already mounted the exhaust pipe in the chimney, to help with draught, but the problem is that the boat is closed and it is difficult for fresh air to get in to the burner. That's why I had to run it with the windows and doors opened. There is also another problem, that the engine leaks some small amounts of steam. In a small closed space, this can put out the the fire unless you have very good air circulation.
To avoid that, I thought about adding the fan to get fresh air inside the hull.

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #90 on:** January 20, 2009, 10:41:02 pm »

Coincidentally you are going through exactly the same thought processes that I went through when designing the plant for the Ben Ain. I wanted a supply of air to help the burner and keep the air circulating for cooling purposes as well as keeping condensation levels under control.

I am opening just about every thing I can from accomodation doors to engine room skylights and even making the machinery space vents real and hollow. I am then going to add a computer casing fan at the forward end, driven simply from it's own battery, to provide a flow of air through the model which will hopefully control things. Not actually tried it yet so I can't report on it's success or otherwise but I fully intend fitting it for these reasons.

kno3 · « **Reply #91 on:** January 20, 2009, 11:15:04 pm »

I was also thinking about a fan driven via belt from the steam engine... However my tug is so small and cramped that I'm not sure this is feasible.

I just added a scratch built searchlight. I originally wanted to buy one ready made, because I have seen some very nice metal ones, but they are only available with a shiny chrome finish... Since i wanted to have all fittings in brass, I had to make my own and this is the result.

I habe also changed the lever arm of the steam whistle, because the original seemed a bit bulky. Made a thinner one instead.

logoman · « **Reply #92 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:20:49 am »

you've doe a super job on the search light, it HAD to be brass. and I agree, the whistle lever did look too large before. your decision to use bigger vents made a great improvement too.

kno3 · « **Reply #93 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:08:12 am »

Hello! Time for an update.

I made a working davit to lift the anchor on deck. Found the anchor on Ebay and thought it would match the style of the tug and period. I also made a brass hatch (behind the anchor winch) and under it I installed an electric blower for the burner.

Added a wooden strip to the thing that keeps the towing line off the deck:

Overall view:

Bernhard · « **Reply #94 on:** February 22, 2009, 07:20:52 am »

WHAT A NICE TUG IT IS...

Bernhard

logoman · « **Reply #95 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:22:09 am »

looking the business Kno3!

kno3 · « **Reply #96 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:33:41 am »

Hi guys, here some pictures of the new lighting system of my tugboat. It was a pain to get those electrical wires through the 3 mm masts...

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #97 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:59:22 am »

Excellent! And I'm guessing photography is a hobby of yours as well!

Bernhard · « **Reply #98 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:56:06 pm »

woow .......great boat ,,,,,,and photos+++++++++

kno3 · « **Reply #99 on:** April 05, 2009, 08:34:40 pm »

The maiden voyage:

(actually it's the third maiden voyage, but with all the excitement I had forgotten the camera at home for the first two

)

And the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-JMdYt1Dds

News:

Author Topic: My RC live steam tugboat / icebreaker (Read 70611 times)

Proteus

kno3

logoman

kno3

Bernhard

MONAHAN STEAM MODELS

ian kennedy

kno3

craftysod

kno3

Bee

ian kennedy

catengineman

Proteus

kno3

kno3

logoman

kno3

Bernhard

logoman

kno3

Bernhard

kno3