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Author Topic: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"  (Read 6400 times)

jpdenver

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The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« on: November 22, 2020, 03:17:50 am »

Greetings from this side of the pond.

9 Months ago we got locked up. 

 I am thinking that all you folks in the UK got locked up too!
 Not sure about all of those in the southern hemisphere. 

Anyway -  I have been a fan of Marten, Howes and Baylis  (MH&B) for a long time.
 Unfortunately, the kits I wanted to build,  The Seekadett and Vigilant are no longer in production.

I have found a Topaz to build, (it was logged in the Steam Forum), but no others.
 
In early March, I logged into the Marten and Howes website and found a new craft, Project X.
 Love at first sight.  Unique. Sleek.  Smooth Lines.    Price was on the expensive side, but doable.
 Then I noticed that the Steam Plant was from Martin Baylis Engineering.
 When I contacted Martin,I had to gulp at the price - 2900 GBP.    That's $3800 in $USD.   Not at all in my budget.
 
So, I thought about it for a little while and then reached out to Brian Marten and Liz Howes. 
I asked them if anyone had done an electric variant of the Project X.   
 At that time there were only 5 in existence. and as far as they knew - all were steam.   
 However, they had been having some inquiries about Electric Drive, so were open to discussing it. 
At this point, let me show you some pictures of the original Project X.   
These pictures were sent to me from Liz Howes, and are some of the ones from their website.




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canabus

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2020, 03:31:37 am »

HI jpdenver


I see reason the boat could be made electric !!!


A 35mm motor under a steam look a like motor.
Speed controller in the boiler and Lipo battery and radio in the cabin.
Lovely looking boat.
What's the length and beam???


We have finish with lockdown over a 100 days ago.


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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2020, 03:59:52 am »

The Story Continues.

Next I contacted Martin Baylis.  You see - I did not want to totally give up on steam.
So I had the idea to see if there was a way to build an electric version and yet keep the
options open for a conversion back to Steam.  Martin offered (for a very modest amount)
to build me a template of the his engine so I could use it to align the prop shaft in a way
that would allow mounting the steam engine in the future.  He also included the Steam plant
mounting plate as well, and then sent them over to Brian Marten for inclusion in my kit. 

Then I discussed with Brian Marten what I was thinking of doing, and he offered to add additional
supplies of wood to accommodate the changes in the design I had in mind.
About a month later, a nice size box arrived at my door. 

Unfortunately, I had come down with a case of Type A Influenza,
despite having gotten flu-shots, and was laid up for about a month.
During that time I contacted Model Boats to see if they would be interested in an article.
 
 We actually were close to an agreement when they shut down.
 Since that time I tried to resurrect the idea with the new editor, 
 but she has had a hard time bringing the magazine out again, and has not responded.

 So - here goes my build.  I hope you enjoy it.


Regards to all,
 Jim Pope
 Denver, CO USA 


 
 
 



 
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2020, 04:19:09 am »

Some Specs on the Project X as designed by Marten and Howes.
Scale - 1:12
Length overall - 50 inches / 1270mm
Beam 7” (178mm)
Draught - hull only = 2.125 inches/54mm
Max draught = 4.25 inches / 108mm
Minimum freeboard = 2.85inches / 72mm
Displacement = 12 lbs / 5.4 kgs
Displacement without steam plant = 6 lbs / 2.7 kgs


More to come -

JPDenver
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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2020, 07:05:34 am »

Hi Jim
A rock crawler 540 80 turn brush motor would work on a 2S(7.2 volt) battery.
I use them in my tug and fishing boat with the same weight as our boat.


All run a 3 blade brass 60mm Raboesch prop (part No. 156-14).
The motor runs 5500rpm unloaded, but in the water I have the throttle set to maximum 60%.


I did have a slower rpm MFA Como drills 950D 2.51motor(2329 rpm) but did not like the noisy gears.


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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2020, 10:37:34 am »

Jim

That is an interesting and fine looking boat.

I seem to remember another thread of yours where you mentioned a Model Boats article. They definitely want new contributors as in the next issue they are giving pointers as to how to go about it. I think they are probably still finding their feet after recommencing publication.

Your build would make an ideal article, don't give up!


We're in our second lockdown and hopefully the last, depends on what effect Christmas has.

Chris
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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2020, 10:40:41 am »

Nice project, I like the unusual lines of the hull and will follow your build with interest.
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2020, 03:01:05 pm »

More-

So I think it is a toss-up on where I should post my article.  I had actually gone so far as to send a rough draft
 to the editor of Model Boats. It got lost somewhere, and since then I have not heard from her.   
I know that the public might like to see it, but I also like the intimacy of the dialog I find here.
  And besides - all the really important boat builders are on this forum - right?   ok2   
  The ability to have sidebar conversations and to exchange ideas one-on-one is actually why I do this.   
In this time of "lock-down" and isolation, conversations keep us all sane. 

I am a 69 year old electrical engineer, self taught model machinist, and only started in this hobby about 8 years ago.
 So many of you are better at a lot of the fine details than I - but I am improving. 
I am going to approach this build log much in the same way that I would write the article.
 With an occasional sidebar as you all join in. 


So -  Here goes -  Part 1 starts after breakfast.

 Warm Regards,
Jim Pope
Denver, Co
USA
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2020, 06:05:54 pm »

Part 1 -

I think a general intro to the history of Marten & Howes (and Baylis) is in order. 
Ordering from them is a bit like walking into a pub for the first time and finding
people of a like mind, and interests who are willing to give competent advice when asked.
Unlike dealing with a multi-level marketing organization - you talk with the designers of the
crafts you are looking at, and they do not care if you are a rank amateur that is likely to make
a mess of their beautiful boat, but will provide help and guidance as long as you do not try to
weasel something for nothing. 

When I approached them about the attempted article, Liz was kind enough to provide me with a companyhistory to include as a sidebar. 

So here it is your your enjoyment -

-----------------------------------
(There is a PDF at the bottom of the page)
 
So - Next part will be the kit
Stay Safe - Be Well,Jim







 
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2020, 02:40:06 am »

And so we begin -

Here are some pics of the box and it's contents.
A very well made GRP hull.
A Book of photos that follows the build
An Instruction Manual. 
Full size prints. 
Running Gear 
Fiddley bits 
Sheets of cleanly lasered pieces
 and a "Box of Sticks"
All was very well packed and it also included some obvious additions
that were due to our pre-sale conversations.  Some extra pieces of wood
and the engine mounting plate from Martin Baylis.   
     
The first step was to build the stand, I added some leather padding. 
and position the hull to begin the process. 

 
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2020, 03:07:21 am »

Then I took the time to do some basic layout. 
I used a laser to set in the centerline in the hull. 

I also went thru the various wood parts for the decks and bulkheads and the like.
On these I also added centerlines and other positioning markers to help with keeping things
symmetrical as the build progressed. 

There was a lot of fitting and doing mock-ups to get accustomed to the positioning. 
All the while I was working out the alignment for the steam engine I was not going to put in there 
and I also needed to see what electrical plant would work.





 
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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2020, 10:34:13 pm »

Time to work with the engine plate and the Steam mockup that will allow me to locate the 
mount for a possible conversion in the future.

The mount-mockup was installed on the engine plate and fitted to the cross members in the hull.


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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #12 on: November 25, 2020, 10:42:00 pm »

So the search is on - I need to find an electric motor that:
     1. Could be mounted with correct alignment for the propshaft.   
     2. Had the right torque and RPM's to fit the prop size.   
     3. Did not sound like a tortured squirrel when cruising at a decent speed.
 
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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #13 on: November 25, 2020, 10:49:03 pm »

But first things first - 

Rear Cockpit floor. 
Rudder Post. 
Propshaft. 
 

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #14 on: November 25, 2020, 11:12:05 pm »

I found a Tornado 850 with a 2:1.2 reduction via belt drive.
I added a thick base plate to adjust the height and angle of the output shaft.
The result was a powerful motor that did not have to work hard to move the boat. 
and could be camouflaged below a motor cowling.  (When I got to that part)
 
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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2020, 01:18:26 pm »

Looking very nice Jim.  Model Boats' loss is our gain!  And as you say, here you get the feedback, questions and, at some point perhaps, advice.  First question - is that long metal base plate part of the kit or your own addition?

Greg

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2020, 02:27:01 pm »

I assume thats the mounting plate to keep the steam plant from distorting the hull - heavy engineering at its best
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #17 on: November 26, 2020, 06:22:03 pm »

Hello again - Happy US Thanksgiving. 

The metal plate with the built in angle wedge and engine mockup wereprovided by Martin Baylis -  (for a very reasonable fee).
 In addition to creating the mockup for me, he also took the time to
deliver the parts to Brian and Liz in time to be in my shipment.
The heavy metal plate is part of the engine system.  Normally provided byBaylis Engineering when you buy the engine from him. 

I think that my mounting solution would not be as clean and solid if I had to
work it out by myself. 

Here is a side view of the plate showing the "Angle of the Dangle" 






 



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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #18 on: November 26, 2020, 06:31:36 pm »

Now that I Have the prop shaft in place, It is time to build up the keel. 

Pieces were provided pre-cut and it all fit together. 
First some basic epoxy to secure them. 
followed by layers of epoxy to build up both sides to a smooth buildup
that looks like it was part of the GRP hull to begin with. 




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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #19 on: November 27, 2020, 01:04:25 am »

Now that I have the Propshaft and motor mount located,
it is time to move on to the rest of the hull features.
There is a type of "sub-deck" that forms the basis for the cockpit floor. 
It sits around the motor plate. 

Then there are the upper decks.  These are formed in two parts. 
A lower flat deck followed by a curved "turtle deck" forming the top surface.

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #20 on: November 27, 2020, 11:06:59 am »

It's coming on very well  :-))
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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #21 on: November 27, 2020, 02:25:47 pm »

Thanks for all the kind remarks.
I am finding that this build was not as technically difficult as some on this board,
but that is offset by the feeling I get every time I look at her lines. 

It is time to build her upper decks.  I applied a curved framework to the under-deck,and then glued down the "Turtle Deck" - This was followed by an application of epoxy-resin,and finally some "Spot Putty" to fill in small gaps. 
Prior to the final gluing of the decks, I started to plan the "Electrical Plant" for the lights I was
 thinking of using.  Lastly I packed the bow with bubble wrap for buoyancy should such be needed.

 So you will see small wires appearing in the fore-deck (Nav Lights) and the aft-deck (Flag Pole) to
facilitate connections later. 

Thanks again for following my thread,
hope you enjoy it.
Regards,
Jim

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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #22 on: November 28, 2020, 03:01:13 pm »

A few more deck pics.Waiting for a full cure on the epoxy.


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jpdenver

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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #23 on: November 28, 2020, 03:30:09 pm »

Electrical Planning.
I like lights.and sound effects. 

And the time to plan them is when you have a blank slate to wok with. 
I have all ready put in some basic power wires under the decks.
So I spend some time working on fixtures. 




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Re: The Ladye X - An electrical varient of M&H "Project X"
« Reply #24 on: November 28, 2020, 03:32:21 pm »

Some useful looking elastic bands there Jim!

You are making very good progress and excellent workmanship.

Chris
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