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[nhp651]

Could someone please tell me of what might be the pit falls to this scenario.
I am building an Imara Tug and have installed a Chedder/stuart Turner Maxi plant with large proteus boiler and twin Puffin steam engines with all condensers, and ceramic gass burner.
I have also  installed working lights for which I needed to fit two small regargable gell batteries which are fitted forward of the gas tank.
It says on the batteries NOT TO EXCEED 50C temperature, so was thinking of fitting a fan out of a computor to  cool the batteries.
Would this have any effect upon the efficiency of the boiler output to have a cooling fan in the immediate area.
cheers,neil. ???

[HS93 (RIP)]

For the Burner to work efficiently you will need a lot of air in the boat, so every door window porthole vent needs to be open ,you can use a fan to draw air in , but why use jell cells for lights? if you haven't fitted them yet use LEDs but even normal grain of wheat bulbs don't draw a lot so think about a small nicad pack, as long as you don't install it over the boiler or alongside you should be ok.there is plenty of space in a Imara, if you fit it near by to the gas tank that should keep it cool as the temperature drops when its in use.

Hs93

[John W E]

Hi there one and all

As an idea, instead of using NiCads to power your lights, hows about a little dynamo driven from your steam engine.  Fair enough, you will only get power for the lights, when the main motor is running - but hey, it adds a little authenticity 

The other thing, if you are concerned about where you are going to place the NiCad for to power your lights, whereabouts are you going to place the NiCads for powering your radio equipment - is there not enough space to put a separate NiCad pack next to the radio?

aye
John e
bluebird

[Bunkerbarge]

Could someone please tell me of what might be the pit falls to this scenario.
I am building an Imara Tug and have installed a Chedder/stuart Turner Maxi plant with large proteus boiler and twin Puffin steam engines with all condensers, and ceramic gass burner.
I have also  installed working lights for which I needed to fit two small regargable gell batteries which are fitted forward of the gas tank.
It says on the batteries NOT TO EXCEED 50C temperature, so was thinking of fitting a fan out of a computor to  cool the batteries.
Would this have any effect upon the efficiency of the boiler output to have a cooling fan in the immediate area.
cheers,neil. ???

In my Ben Ain all available doors, windows, vents and skylights will be open and a computer fan will be drawing air through the hull to supply the boiler, keep things a bit cooler and prevent condensation build ups.

I have also used grain of wheat bulbs for all lighting and being an old steamer I am using 12v lamps with a 6v power supply.  This will keep the lamps very cool, look more authentic and prolong thier life.

Bluebirds idea of the dynamo is a good idea but you would need a smoothing circuit to charge a battery otherwise the lamps will dim with the engine revs.  May even look realistic but you may want a bit more stability so additional electronics would be likely.

[nhp651]

thanks for all your replies, lads.
I have wired in grain of wheet 12 volt bulbs, as I am absolutely useless with electronics and after a visit to my local Maplins to chat about LED's I came away totally confused about the wiring in series and paralel , the resistors and capacitors that would have to be wired into maintain brightness in all "bulbs" and so opted for 12v lamps. I can just about wire those in on two circuits for interior and different running lights.
I have bought two very small 6v 1.4 amp hour sealed gell batteries ( for the sheer physical size of them) and mounted them in cradles just above and slightly aft of the gass tank but forward of the burner, and will be wiring up in series to get the 12v needed.
however as for a small dynamo, I literally have no room near to the two engines as the space between them aft is filled with an auxilliary fresh water tank, fed from a mechanical pump fitted to the port engine, and immediately affixed to the rear combing above the  engines is a small oil gravity tank for the engines, so there is literally no room to swing even one of dear old Frank H's white metal cats!
However all your points about fixing a fan to draw in air is very much appreciated and I shall attatch one either side just aft of the lower stair case where there is a metal mesh grill suitable for an intake.
Hopefully I will keep you informed as to how it goes, and how cool my little batteries keep.
Again, many thanks for the input.
neil.
Just read the second part of your comment Bunkerbarge, and take your advice on using 6v rather than 12 v so will wire my batteries accordingly.I can then also use the same power source for the receiver. many thanks.

[HS93 (RIP)]

I am using the same Boiler in one of  my tugs so I know how big it is , they take a lot of space up try and keep your weight down low, I take it the oil tank is for a drip feed for the engines. have you got any pictures of your build so far, would be interesting to see how you have done things, I saw a imara with the same set up at one of the cheddar meetings and it went well IL  look to see if I can find the pictures. I have seen one with a mixer some time ago as well

Hs93

[Bunkerbarge]

Depending on the particular grain of wheat lamps you may find 6 volts not enough but you can then use a 7.2 nicad pack of 'C' cells, which will also power your reciever and lamps simultaneously and should weigh in less than the 12 volt pack you were going to use.

Have a play on the bench with possible configurations

[nhp651]

I've already bought the batteries, but do have a pack of nicads spare for my tranny so will have a play with those as well.
As for  photos of the build, I'm almost finished the model and just getting round to all the fitting out before fixing ll fittings topside, so will take some shots of the interior wiring and then some finished product and post them in a week or two.cheers,for all your help.neil.