Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: morfa on August 26, 2020, 10:02:02 pm

Title: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 26, 2020, 10:02:02 pm
How do setup a steam Whistle attached to my boiler to a servo. Is that the way to do it or some other way?
It has a little arm that has a spring that allows it to pull forward and spring back after you release it after "playing" the whistle.
http://www.morfa.ca/steamwhistlev1.png (http://www.morfa.ca/steamwhistlev1.png)


Thanks,
Derek

Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: Jerry C on August 27, 2020, 12:49:23 am
This is how I did mine after I stripped the servo gears when the pull line was too short. I made the compression spring out of a biro spring and a paper clip, it’s a miniature copy of the mooring springs that yachties  use.
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/07/08/2D5D4C66-1BA5-4547-977E-BECA431977C2.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/ZdC51)
Jerry.
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 27, 2020, 01:11:18 am
Brilliant, will give it a go.

Diolch
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: Jerry C on August 27, 2020, 01:19:16 am
Croeso
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: rhavrane on August 28, 2020, 07:39:35 am
Bonjour Derek
Different assembly examples to give you ideas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9zPSqf2rMw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCWvNvzTBo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYDvZ6-ZPFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA-D4mQ3I9g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugquloij304
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSOSj89BY_M
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 28, 2020, 02:38:21 pm
Thanks, will study what you did and see if they work for me.
Cheers,
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 29, 2020, 03:57:05 pm
Guys,
Thanks for all your advice and inspiration. Here is what I did after looking at your work/suggestions.
In action - http://www.morfa.ca/steamwhistleinaction.mp4 (http://www.morfa.ca/steamwhistleinaction.mp4)


Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: Mark T on August 29, 2020, 04:01:25 pm
Hi Derek - sorry I never saw your post but it seems that you have got it sorted  :-))   Does the valve need to be held shut by the servo or is it self closing?
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 29, 2020, 04:12:56 pm
The whistle has a little spring that self closes but I have not figured out how to set the micro servo to "open/close".
I have to hit the servo channel (3) once to play the whistle, once to close it.

Any suggestions. I was just thrilled to get this far.
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: Mark T on August 29, 2020, 04:17:27 pm
Hi Derek I think if it works and works well You've got a great solution.  Can I ask what make the whistle is as it looks very nice
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 29, 2020, 04:47:14 pm
It is - I got it with my steam plant from MSM out of Australia.
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: derekwarner on August 29, 2020, 11:20:30 pm
You can also get that lazy bearded Deckhand >>:-( [who is getting a free ride] to swap seats....then link his movable arm to a miniature chain connected to the whistle, then have this hidden back to the servo


Too many of the Crew get an easy job......I am trying to get this Bilge Rat to open a valve  {-)  , or pump some water  :kiss:


Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: Jerry C on August 30, 2020, 12:02:33 am
That works but looks a bit bulky. You could simply replace the rod and clevis with thin fishing line including a spring servo saver like I showed you before somewhere in the line. It keeps the line taught but prevents servo locking and stripping the gears.
Jerry.
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: rhavrane on August 30, 2020, 12:04:00 am
Bonjour,
Derek, I like your crew,
Derek 2 ok2 , you can hide the little servo in a small wooden box and, as the whistle valve is auto closing and facing its servo, I would kindly suggest you to use a thin cable or chain instead of your big metal rod. 
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: derekwarner on August 30, 2020, 12:43:02 am
Yes .......many ways to disguise a servo as a wooden box.......then coaching the Crew to earn their passage  {-)  .... Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 30, 2020, 01:48:30 am
Planning a box, just too many chores to do before I can get back to my love - Cariad.
Will look at the "wire" option too!
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: KNO3 on August 31, 2020, 08:23:03 pm
A piece of string or a thin chain is really all that's needed for a steam valve. A spring servo saver is completely unnecessary in this application, since the whistle actuation requires little force and is only done momentarily. But I have to say your servo saver and rod look nicely made, I would reuse them for the steam valve, where they would be more useful.
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on August 31, 2020, 08:28:28 pm
Thanks, going to play with it again and simplify the process.
A string might make the box setup I plan easier and flexible.


Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on September 02, 2020, 07:43:42 pm
Getting closer. Did a redesign to make it a little simpler and added a box. Will fine tune the box and add a little side piece to hide the servo arm coming out.
But satisfied that it works well.


www.morfa.ca/steamwhistleinactionrevised.mp4
Cheers,
Derek
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: KNO3 on September 03, 2020, 12:34:00 am
Looking good!
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: southsteyne2 on September 03, 2020, 01:13:41 am
I use very fine fishing leader which is barely visible and also goes around tight corners works great.
Cheers
John
Title: Re: Steam Whistle to servo setup
Post by: morfa on September 03, 2020, 01:25:56 am
That was my first choice but my rod is at my cottage, and I had some thin wire in my kit.
Good suggestions - thanks
Derek