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[miniaturist]

Hello gentlemen,
 I'm starting on a new scratch built project and need some insight on a power system.The project is a sidewheeler with a length of 41.5"(105cm)and a beam of 6.5"(16.5cm).The wheel will be approx. 5"(12cm)in diam.I know there are many commercial engines and plans available.Can anyone get me started in the right direction such as engine,drive method.I can build a engine if that is the option.I would appreciate everyone's experience.
Rich

[tobyker]

Puddleducks? or is it paddleducks. I'm sure there will be info on the paddle boat site.

[kiwimodeller]

The Paddleducks website is certainly THE place to find info on paddlers and you will find the guys there very helpful. I have a steam powered paddler almost twice the size of yours and it is driven by a single cylinder steam engine of moderate size so you will not need anything too big in the way of an engine. I am thinking that for my next (smaller) paddler I will use two separate double acting single cylinder engines laid on their side and connected to a common paddlewheel shaft. The reasons for this are that single cylinder engines are simple, wideley available and cheap. It will be possible to mount one on each side of the engine bay and there is a design available for a valve that will throttle and reverse the two cylinders as if they were one engine. It should give more room for a boiler and the engine ancillaries could fit between the engines. There are also commercially made engines available and the Paddleducks site also has downloadable plans for engines. Main thing with a paddler is to keep the superstructure light and the weight low as they tend to roll when turning because of the weight of the wheels hanging out the side. Let us and the PD's know if you need more help and keep us posted on your progress. Cheers, Ian

[benjaml1]

"they tend to roll when turning"

Has anyone experimented with differential drive... ??

[grasshopper]

I recently read an article in one of the monthly model boat mags that mentioned using a model car diff and friction brakes on each shaft connected to the rudder.

[derekwarner]

benjaml1 asks......"Has anyone experimented with differential drive.."??"

  ...yes benjaml1...if any Mayhem member is interested in the concept of paddlers.......then read & join PD's .....  ....you will find countless articles in the archives on this question of differential drive

PD's is a totally different concept in the principals & thoughts of communication within a WEB site based upon maritime history ....both past & current

The PD moderation is tight & engenders a more sensible class of posting - we look forward to seeing your initial questions  ........Derek

[benjaml1]

Apologies, I didn't think my question wasn't sensible. Just interested in the thought process that's all....

[Bunkerbarge]

benjaml1 asks......"Has anyone experimented with differential drive.."??"

  ...yes benjaml1...if any Mayhem member is interested in the concept of paddlers.......then read & join PD's .....  ....you will find countless articles in the archives on this question of differential drive

PD's is a totally different concept in the principals & thoughts of communication within a WEB site based upon maritime history ....both past & current

The PD moderation is tight & engenders a more sensible class of posting - we look forward to seeing your initial questions  ........Derek

I can't imagine why you would want to lower yourself to our standards Derek!!

If anyone thinks we need tighter moderation here just let us know

[HS93 (RIP)]

I can't imagine why you would want to lower yourself to our standards Derek!!

If anyone thinks we need tighter moderation here just let us know

I thought it was a private members club? 

Peter

[livesteam]

I would go for an Anton Quartz horizontal

http://www.kramer-steam.ch/joomla/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=8

it would probably be available at Westbourne Models. I do not have one myself but heard only good things about it and it should provide anough power for a model of this size.
There ist also an oscillator for paddlers available by Regner-Dampftechnik in Germany. Or look for a second hand Cheddar Plover Paddle. Not so easy probably...

[miniaturist]

Thanks for the start up I'm off to paddleducks
Rich

[derekwarner]

BB...my previous comment was not intended as a criticism  ...simply my observation that both PD's & Mayhem are uniquely different

PD's I consider to have more Q&A which I enjoy,,,,,,,,Mayhem has some excellent facilities postings & the ''Mayhem Master Class" provides examples of modeling inspirations to all.....which I have acknowledged to the respective thread builders

So I am not lowering my standards buy logging onto Mayhem twice a day....but trying to bring my standards up a little higher  & enjoying the WEB content ....like where else on earth could I find.......Name that Part or Name that Ship? -

In reflection........I would be more than happy if you as a Mayhem Moderator were to replace .... engenders a more sensible class of posting    with...... engenders an alternate style of posting .......Derek

[Bunkerbarge]

Don't worry Derick, I don't think we were taking it too seriously!

[Hammer]

Rich. Hope to hear from you on PD. As for the drive with steam I always use gears 3 to 1 (large gear on paddle shaft) . If you can build around 60ins long. and increase the width to the same scale you will make it easier on you shelf. (R.G.Y. on PD.) Hammer

[miniaturist]

hammer
thanks for the input.I'm on PD also as Bancroft.

[kiwimodeller]

Hi, good to see we are also discussing this on PD's. If you are looking to buy a commercially available engine I would reccomend the American P & M Research V twin oscillator with 1/2" bore and 3/4" stroke, double acting. For an oscillator it is reasonably ecfonomical on steam, it is self starting, has enough power that you can run it on part throttle and fairly low pressure and it comes with a built in throttle and reverse valve in one so you can get away with the one servo for both speed and reverse. Send me a PM if you want contacts for the best place to buy them. I could also supply a New Zealand made 5/8 x 5/8 double acting slide valve V twin engine kitset but you need to have facilities to machine the kit and it might be a bit of an overkill in a small paddler. Best of luck with your search, at least you are getting plenty of good suggestions between the two forums. Cheers, Ian