Brooklyn Tugboat

Started by figtree7nts

179 updates 467 likes 385 comments

Crack in seam Repaired!

Captain's Log: Cracked seam Update!

She has been sitting in the Domesticated Test Tank.
For 20.0 hours and she is dry as a bone!😁😁😁

Eureka, Tug Brooklyn is now repaired!
Now all I have to do. is Spray her bottom!
And just a few electrical repairs.
And she'll be ready for her spring Maiden Voyage!
Long awaited but, patients is a virtue!👍
Liked by Martin555 and Joe727 and
4 comments
  1. Joe727
    Commander
    Ed, I have the plastic hull. I used a strip of fiberglass per instructions and never have had a leak issue. At the time I did this, about 4 years ago, I was doing a lot of fiberglass work so I had the proper supplies. Adheres to plastic hull well.

    My current build is a Springer Tug Rescue Vessel, I am hoping to get the plywood hull sealed only with paint. We will see...
    Joe
    Liked by Martin555 and figtree7nts
  2. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Joe,

    I did as per the instructions!
    Guess it's one of those thing's.
    What can go wrong will go wrong!
    She's now repaired! Good as new so to speak!

    I also built the Jersey City.
    No problem's with that one at all!

    I can't wait to see your Springer Tug!

    From what I've read you should seal her.
    Before you paint her!

    Ed
    Liked by Martin555 and Joe727

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Mission Accomplished!

Captain's Log:

Total of 24.00 hours in the Domestic Test Tank!

No water ingress, Engine room dry as a bone!👍
Will keep an eye on the Hull!

Mission Accomplished!😁😁😁
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New Batteries!

Captain's Log:

Well, I order new batteries for the Tug Brooklyn.
I placed the order about a week ago.
I received them last night!
Before I continue let me say this.
I was using the Batteries from Tug Serenity AKA Jersey City!

Those Batteries are 6 Volts at 2.5 Amps!
For a total of two!
I saw what I thought were the same battery.
Only at 6 Volts at 8 Amps. For a total of 12 Volts at 8 Amps!

Well the batteries are huge!
I had to take all of the Forward ballast out of Tug Brooklyn!
Even then she's a bit bow heavy.
But, I really want the extra Power!
Because Tug Brooklyn is a 12 Volt Tugboat!

Take a look at the Batteries side by side.
It's a good thing there's enough room in her forecastle!
I'm putting the Batteries end to end and they fit!

Oh, the Batteries weigh 6.5 LBS!😱
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Weight Too Much!

Captain's Log:

After careful consideration.
I have decided to use only one battery at a time!
This being 6.5 lbs. is way too much weight.
Her bow is too low to the waterline.
She get's thrown off by the weight.
So, one battery at a time will be used!

Now, having lowered the volts.
From 12 volts to 6 volts is a problem.
See her main motor and smoker.
Are 12 volts each!

So, now I have to replace.
The main motor and the smoker.
To a 6 volt system!

This is not so easy.
If any of you are familiar.
With Dumas and Harbor model products.
You know this ain't cheap!😭

Luckily, I will be selling both parts.
Together next month!
As both parts are in new condition!

I will then order a 6 volt main motor and Smoker!

Oh, each battery will give me about 1.5 hours of run time!
And that's not bad at all.....

NOTE:
I'm only losing $10.00 on the resale of her Motor and Smoker!
Liked by Martin555 and Donnieboy and
1 comment
  1. Joe727
    Commander
    Ed,
    For my Spinger Tug, I was able to find 6 volt / 4.5 ah batteries that are only 2 pounds each. 1 7/8 x 2 3/4 x 3 7/8" .... I purchased two (2) for $22 USD, ordered thru Walmart and they arrived within a week.

    There are a lot of SLA's out there, takes some time to find the right ones. Good luck!
    Joe
    Liked by Martin555 and figtree7nts and

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Cracked Battery!

Captain's Log:

I hadn't inspected the new batteries.
I received for Tug Brooklyn!
But, on close inspection of the Batteries.
One of them came with a crack!😱😤😡

So, got in contact with the company.
I purchased the batteries from.
And will be sending both.
Batteries back for a refund!

Luckily, I was looking around and have found.
Lighter Batteries! Will be ordering those soon!

At half the price of the ones I sent back!
Liked by Martin555 and Joe727 and
8 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    I know what is was 😉
    COMMS equipment; particularly for ship to shore radio!
    Obviously made a deeper impression than batteries 😁

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6 Volts of Course!

Captain's Log:

Well I found a 6 volt 8.5 amp Battery.
For my Brooklyn to use!

Just have to order her main motor and a new smoker!
Both of which will be at 6 volts!

Now, if I've done my math right!
And all I use is her main motor.
I would end up with about 2.5 hours of run time!
But, if I use her main motor and smoke.
I will end up with a little over 1.5 hours of run time!

I was lucky in that I have a buyer.
For her old 12 volt motor and 12 volt smoker!
They have about an hour of use!
Not exactly what I call used.
But, Have to sell as used equipment!
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6 Volts of Course of Course!

Captain's Log:

The right battery for the job!

I found a battery that volts and amp's are just right!
The most important thing the right weight!
The battery weigh's in at 3 lbs. 1 ounce.
Which is just right for the Brooklyn!
Give or take a once or two....
But, can be adjusted to trim the water line!

The battery is a 6 volt 8.5 amp battery.
Which will power Brooklyn for 2.5 hours.
Or 1.6 hours with her smoking unit on!

Brooklyn will run on 5.2 amps with the smoker.
Or 4.0 amps with out the smoker!

Unfortunately you live and learn.
I tried using the batteries from.
Serenity, she's 12 volts 2.5 amps!
This was no good, not enough power!

Also the 12 batteries weigh too much!

So, A 6 volt battery was the way to go!

Next is replacing the motor and smoker!

Am expecting the motor this morning!
Will soon order the smoker!

And again she will be completed.
For a spring launching!👍
Liked by Martin555 and Donnieboy and
2 comments
  1. Joe727
    Commander
    Ed,
    Good to see you found what you need. I like to use the 6 volts in my tugs as well. My original thinking was that I like to keep my 550 motors running at a lower rpm. The tugs should be slow and powerful, not a speedboat! Good luck completing the work.
    Joe
    Liked by Martin555 and figtree7nts
  2. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Hi Joe,

    Thanks, took me sometime to figure it out.
    Think she'll run just right.
    With this configuration and weight!

    Cingers Frossed...…...

    Ed
    Liked by Martin555

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Engine Room Refit!

Captain's Log:

I have decided to use 6 volts.
For the main motor and smoker!

I have ordered the main motor.
And have received it.
Waiting to order the smoker

I have removed the main motor and smoker.
Both of which are 12 volts!
I have put them to the side.
As I already have a buyer.
For both the main motor and smoker!

I'll be ordering the smoker this coming Friday.
I should then receive it by Monday afternoon!
Liked by Martin555 and Donnieboy

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Engine Room Refit Completed!

Captain's Log:

Tug Brooklyn is now a 6 volt Model!
There’s actually no difference except for the voltage drop.
I have tested the new 6 volt motor and her new 6 volt smoker.
All is a go!

Patiently waiting for Spring!😎
Liked by Martin555 and Joe727
4 comments
  1. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Sorry about that Michael,
    I wasn't ignoring you!
    I was away from the computer!
    I will take pictures tomorrow and details

    I'm not happy with the setup.
    The smoker came with 2" pigtails!
    Not enough wire so had to solder.
    Heavy gauge wire to the pigtails!
    This is all I had at the time!

    It came out sloppy! I will have to redo.
    Once I get thinner gauge wire!

    But, after all was soldered it all worked!
    And NO magic smoke! Except for the smoker...…..
    Brand new replacement motor.
    Worked a charm!
    Liked by Martin555
  2. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Hi Michael,

    As requested here is a picture.
    Showing the smoker!
    Which is forward of the motor!

    As you can see there is a piece of wood.
    Which runs straight up.
    This I use to keep the smoke stack supported!
    It's just a piece of rubber hose.
    So, I had to put a piece of 1/4"x 1/8" dowel.
    To support the hose else it would flop down!

    All my switches are on her port side!

    And for now the smoker switch.
    Will be out of place.
    Until I get some thinner gauge wire!
    To do a better wire run.
    And make it look neater!

    Cheers, Ed
    Liked by Martin555

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San Pedro by Harbor Models!

This is a model by Harbor Models!
I'm contemplating building her!
She'll keep me busy for a few month's!

The model will be:
Scale: 1:32
Length: 35"
Beam: 10"
Weight: TBD

For now it's just an idea!

What do you think?
Liked by Martin555 and Joe727
4 comments
  1. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Thanks Joe,

    I have thought of building a sail boat.
    Or even a sail barge.
    like what your currently working on.
    But, I don't have the tools or the space required!

    As a matter of fact.
    My next build will have to be my last!
    As I only have space in my hobby room.
    For one last model!
    Maybe two if I squeeze thing's!

    And I have elected the Tug San Pedro to be the last build!

    I'm also interested to see how she works.
    Using a Z Drive at her bow.
    Should prove to be very maneuverable!

    When I worked on tugs in New York harbor.
    I never got the chance to use a Z Drive!
    It should be a lot of fun!

    Cheers, Ed
    Liked by Martin555
  2. figtree7nts
    Admiral
    Oh, I forgot to mention.
    This will be my first attempt.
    At a fiber glass model!
    So, I will be learning and building.
    At the same time!

    There will be a lot of questions.
    Asked of the MBW members....!
    Liked by Martin555

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