Thanks for the advice Ken, I will pass on to Barry.
I know Windstar sails like she is on rails under right conditions / sails and setup .
With the Robbe brand name behind her, she has a real feeling of presence and quality on the water - wish she was mine !
Phil
As a follow-on to Grahams' comment on our latest collaboration on a smoke pulsing 'capacitor driven' device, we thought it was time to 'chuck it out there' and see what you think. I saw the vid on the guys warship with the very fancy gun smoke system a while ago and thought there must be a simpler way than the sophisticated and technical way he did it.
Having done press setting in my early days, I remembered that a big press we used to set had a hydraulic capacitor which helped get the ram moving (pretty much what electrical capacitors do for motors etc) I started with a common party balloon with no container and knew Graham would be interested, and it progressed from there. As usual, Graham has done a fancy bit of electronic control on his, with solenoid and timing and has it working nicely.
(just received my new solenoid which I will be adding in due course)
Balloon is stopped from filling by a micro switch to the air pump and air is released by solenoid at whatever timing you need (depending on how well your smoker can keep up). If the system has no leaks, the 'capacitor' can hold air indefinitely, ready for use, and will re-fill automatically, (pump only runs to re-fill) This idea can be modified to suit anything (guns, exhaust startup and run, steam to simulate steam whistle etc) Balloons of all shapes can be used eg -(long thin sausage balloons could be fitted inside a tube if space is an issue).
With a good air pump, the 'capacitor' will fill quite quickly and some good pressure can be achieved.
JB
Always thinking of improvements and new gadgets Martin, which might be useful for new model builds. At least Graham and I have got it pretty much sorted, so people can do modifications to suit their particular models. Main thing is that these devices are cheap and simple to make (in basic form) which is the whole idea, and can give your model that little bit extra. Most bits can be easily sourced from Ali Express/ Ebay etc.
JB
This "RAF Crash Tender" was built by Graham93 who is a member and contributor to Model Boats Website.
Listen to video summary for more information from Graham93 on the video commentary.
Good news Graham👍
Look forward to the result🤞
Not that I'm into smoke IN the water.
More 'Smoke On the Water' for my naval guns.
First candidate; HMS Belfast.
Cheers, Doug 😎
Built by Buxton Model Boat Club member Eric, "Anteo" is a pre war Italian tug built from plank on frame kit.
Listen to video summary for more information from Eric.
In case you have a smoke device using these or any smoker you can fill remotely by this method. Just used a reservoir and (for the purpose of the test) a 6v water pump running as slowly as possible. Pump sucks fluid through the smoke tank from the reservoir and recirculates it back to same. Reservoir fluid level needs to be level with, or below the smoke tank inlets to avoid siphoning to the tank and flooding the wick. With this system it only takes a few seconds to fill. You could also use the same idea manually with a deck filler and overflow. Either system must be sealed (airtight) to avoid fluid draining from tank when not in use, ( Manual system - both tubes plugged after filling) This idea does away with disassembling E-pen to fill .
JB
Ref:- "liquid duck poop is pretty corrosive"
That did make me smile.
I used to always take a large bottle of fresh water with me for washing down my boats lake side and other members used to laugh at me but at least i knew that my boat was nice and clean ready to be put away ready for next time.
Hi Martin, certainly necessary if using small brass or copper cooling pipes etc as they tend to get a bit of corrosion after a few years. Always wsh my boats down with mild detergent in a spray bottle and paper towels after running them (surprising how pond water stains if you don't). I wish I'd just wrapped the HSL inrunners with copper coils instead of fitting the fancy cooling jackets, as you are never sure what's happening to the painted steel motor casings inside, (hence the penetrating oil)! The motor end cap screws are probably welded in by now😀.
JB
Think I've finally sorted the mixing smoke and water for exhausts problem. Graham has already done his using the same pen / e-cig unit but with some nice electronic controls for the on off system, but not having the electronic abilities I've just gone with a more basic method. Wired up the pen and installed a filler tube (2 tubes are better - one for a breather) these are capped after filling to prevent air getting back from the pump. This system has a water pump, an air pump and the smoke unit, (all adjustable with their own voltage buck) Thanks to Martin for his pen suggestion. I was previously using large capacity elements fitted in various containers for my experiments (truckloads of smoke available) but these pens are great for tight spaces and don't draw much current.
Air, and a small amount of the cooling water are mixed by venturis just short of the exits (the air pushing the smoke and blowing the water clear of the smoke tubes). I've fitted the same system into my ST but am still waiting for the air pump from China (postal system problem there, then Chinese new year holidays with new rules apparently) Get the odd bubble at rest but with the low exhaust you can't have everything.
Latest vid with boat in the tank.
Thanks Peter, took a while to get there, should see the pile of stuff I've collected while doing all this experimenting! Have a smoker for every occasion😁!
JB
You're getting around a bit arencha Ron 👍
Tug looks kinda Springerish.
A pusher tug for barges or logs?
😎
Turns out she's a 'Puller' 😉 A 'Pushmepullu' 😁 http://www.tugboatinformation.com/tug.cfm?id=3524
Cheers, Doug 😎
The software to design the parts is FreeCad, the printer is Prusa MK3s, slicer is Prusa Slicer, and Pronterface to send the file to the printer and control it, the most of the parts you can see in the pictures, have been done using white Prusa PLA, some parts, as the battery holder and so, have been make using orange Prusa PETG
Here's a short video to show some of the varied and interesting exhibits and features seen at the London Model Engineering Exhibition, Alexandra Palace 17th - 19th January 2020.
Enjoy....😀
Robbob.
Glad you like the video Mike.
As you know from your visit to the show last year there's a lot to see and my video only covers a fraction of it but I think it gives a good flavour of the whole show. My brothers Meccano Missouri was a big hit with the public too, he will be showing it again at one of the Warwick model shows later in the year.
Rob.
She is back in dry dock for more fitting out by Lee who constructed and owns the model.
She is quite a beast at 1/72 scale about 6ft / 2mtr long. Fleetscale kit/parts i think ?.
Special significance for me that my son has served on HMS Iron Duke.
Hi Phil,
Wonder if your son was on board when I had a look round Iron Duke during the Exponaval in Valparaiso naval harbour many years ago?
When not at the exhibition discussing the COMMS fit for the OPVs Armada de Chile have since built I was on the other side of the dock doing some upgrades to a 1kW HF transmitter on a Leander frigate. Took longer than expected to upgrade the SW so I nearly ended up sailing with her. Might have been fun😉
Cheers, Doug 😎
I know Windstar sails like she is on rails under right conditions / sails and setup .
With the Robbe brand name behind her, she has a real feeling of presence and quality on the water - wish she was mine !
Phil