Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[essex2visuvesi]

just stole a midwest fantail kit on ebay ($50 US including postage) and was wondering what engine would be better

the kit reccomends this one
http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/midwest-model-iv-steam-engine.html

but as a first steamer would i be better getting this one?
http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/midwest-heritage-steam-engine.html

I understand these need to be hand started would it be possible to start one of these with a small electric motor?
Also is it possible to use a servo to control the regulatator?

any suggestions greatly recieved

[steamboatmodel]

That was a steal.
The first on comes as a kit and you have to solder everything together,  It’s not that hard to do, I have this one and hard (Silver) soldered it together. I have also installed a safety valve, the Wilesco one fits in the fill fitting.
The second one comes pre soldered and assembled and does have a safety valve installed.
Neither one uses a regulator, and there is no direction control, once you start them you just use rudder.
Having said that I think that you could rig up a couple of small motors to change direction, you normally just give the flywheel a flick in the direction you want to go. The other alternative is either a Kitchen Rudder (that’s what I am doing) or a variable pitch prop.
Regards,
Gerald.

[essex2visuvesi]

Thanks for the reply :)

Are there any other suitable alternatives with a regulator or could a regulator be added to the 2 above?

[bbjs]

How about a Regner Micro ?



http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/aktuelles/neuheiten2010/40510_micro_dampfanlagen.php


...or a little bit of overkill, the full monty w. twin osc, gas tank, regulator, burner, Regner Mini:



http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/aktuelles/neuheiten2005/dampfm_mini.php

Cheers, Bjorn

[HS93 (RIP)]

I am not a fan of the standard mid west setup as you will get board and probably put of steam very quickly, it is not worth fitting a regulator as they are not very powerfull and not self starting so if you slow it down and it stops thats it  the plants posted by bbjs are a far better proposition , yes they are more expensive but will give you a better idea of steam and will last a long time.

peter

[kiwimodeller]

I have seen a steam plant that can be restarted in either direction by a small electric motor but you also need a battery pack and either a speed controller or two micro switches operated by a servo. Plus you have to have another channel on the radio to work it. All a bit of an overkill for a small and simple model such as you are starting with. Better to use one of the engine and boiler setups reccommended and just enjoy what you have then be prepared to build something a bit bigger and more complicated, I am sure you will be hooked once you have run the Fantail a few times. Even though I have several steam boats I still enjoy taking the simple ones to the lake regularly. Good luck, Ian.

[essex2visuvesi]

How about a Regner Micro ?



http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/aktuelles/neuheiten2010/40510_micro_dampfanlagen.php


Cheers, Bjorn

Is that self starting?

[Timo2]

Hi

    Have a look at     http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/product.php?productid=3650&cat=4&page=2



        http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=9960.0


      Timo2

[bbjs]

Is that self starting?

No, 1-cyl engines aren't.
You need a twin for self-start.

Though, the micro has a small built in lubricator and a steam valve.
Quite good value for the money I belive, but all depends how much you're prepared to pay....
Steam tends to be a quite expensive hobby, but fun !!!

The mini (twin) is self-starting and a much more complete setup for R/C. Can quite easily add a feedwater pump for extended runs.
AFAIK it's actually based on the good old Cheddar Plover (Pintail when a V), a very well running design.
At almost 500 Euro it's a different investment though, but well worth it IMHO.

Check this thread for some experience with the twin (here with a larger boiler):
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15648.0


Cheers, Bjorn

[essex2visuvesi]

Ok so once a single has stopped rotating it needs to be restarted by spinning the flywheel in some way?

The Regner micro looks like the war forward for me andI have a idea and Im not sure if it would work, the theory seems sound enough tho:-

Could I fit a centrifugal clutch in the drive train so that when the engine revs drop below a certain RPM then the prop is disengaged allowing for a full stop. Similar to the way IC RC car drivetrains are setup?

[essex2visuvesi]

Anyone know where I can order a regner micro?

[steamboatmodel]

http://www.regner-dampftechnik.de/aktuelles/neuheiten2010/40510_micro_dampfanlagen.php

[Circlip]

Could I fit a centrifugal clutch in the drive train so that when the engine revs drop below a certain RPM then the prop is disengaged allowing for a full stop. Similar to the way IC RC car drivetrains are setup?

 Looking at the original post request, you're delving deeper into the realms of advanced operations rather than beginner. Slowing a simple oscillator is not an option as it's too easy to stop it. If you require the stop/start functions you let the engine do its own thing and fit, as Gerald has already suggested, a variable pitch prop. This will give forward/reverse and all points in between with up to full speed in both directions.

 Only time you "Regulate" a single is at the pondside when generating steam.

  Regards  Ian.