Print

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

[steamshed]

Hi All
I have recently bought a KM Puffer hull, and first thoughts had been to make it electric, However    ,  a change of heart and would like to "steam" the Puffer.
My question/questions are has anyone done this, if so what would be the recommend engine/boiler combination, vertical or horizontal boiler. On KM website Robin says one was fitted with a Cheddar Pintail I just wonder if this would be under powered.
Thanks
Mike

[KBIO]

Good evening!
If this is this one :  http://www.kingstonmouldings.com/pdclydepuffer.htm
I would say : yes.  I power the  45" Thames steam launch Duncan with a 3cc JMC (propeller 65mm) and I have more power than I need. And the Puffin does not need too much speed = saving steam.
KM hulls are of very good quality and it is always a pleasure to communicate with Robin.
What is interesting in this boat , is the position of the boiler which has to be on the back  ===> Weight. I would favor an horizontal boiler.
So the engine has to be in front or in the middle and the position of the gaz tank has to be accessible.
Very interesting project that I hope to follow up soon.
Let's see others comments. 
Cheers!

[kiwimodeller]

At that size I would suggest it is a good candidate for the SVS twin from Tony Green Steam Models which is available in either 8mm or 10mm bore. A very tidy compact little engine with built in forward/reverse valve on top. Put say a 6 x 3 horizontal boiler with the funnel towards the stern , mount the engine forward of it and then run the prop shaft back under the boiler. Cheers, Ian.

[steamshed]

Hi Ian & KBIO
Thank you both for your suggestions, as it happens I have a 6 x 3" boiler from Macsteam on the shelf. A thought occurred to me as the prop shaft (whole length) will be under the water line do you think just a good greasing of the shaft would suffice or a few inches in from the prop would a "stuffing box" (think thats what they are called) would be useful??
Regards
Mike

[HS93 (RIP)]

I am going to try these in my next boat , they should fit a standard 8mm tube or may need a bit of fiddling but it will allow you then to use oil and not loose any power, there have been a few almost new cheddar engines on ebay recently at a reasonable price, My personal view is that the SVS is a bit on the small size if there was a breeze as the Kingston puffer is a big hull.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RC-Sub-Shaft-seals-ID-4mm-OD-7-5mm-Thick-3mm-1pair-/280739360901?pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item415d5eb085

Peter

[steamshed]

Hi Peter
Thanks for that info, do they replace the existing bearing or go over???,
Mike

[HS93 (RIP)]

as I said I have not used them yet but got some on order so will be building a shaft soon but from the external dia they should fit inside the tube , till I get some I will not know I use S/S ball bearings at the top of all my tubes anyway and try for the bearings with the Teflon shields I use two at the top so they may be able to fit between with a small sleeve, had no leaks or failures with the shafts i have done for people up to now and some have had a lot of stick, because I buy the bearings cheap from china I change them after two years.

Peter

[KBIO]

Good evening.
I get my shaft propellers from here: http://shop.modellbau-kaufhaus.de/modules.php?warp=categories&group=295
They all are below water line.(above all in launches)  I stuff them with a bit of light grease and I have no problem so far.
I do not use oil as it leaks one way or the other.
Kind regards.

note: for Propshop users ; either you re-thread metric or you have someone to machine down a x'over.