!Great idea, I love it!🤔
Is it something that remotely you can control or is it on at all the times?
How long does it take to start smoking after you power it ?

Good question I could put a switch in one leg of battery to turn the simulated smoke on & keep the switch on the unit one & the fake smoke will come on right away I think haven't tried out yet but its easy to turn on after putting main battery in & putting plain water in the humidifier tank .New plan took it to Spencer's pool & wire broke off U.S.B. plug .Rewired used battery port on Flysky Receiver which is about 6 volts to power up the humidifier & it worked .

Ron, I will not go into too much detail on Jim. He is retired, in his early 70's, and has building models since before I met him about 12 years ago. He doesn't bother with computers too much but enjoys his Canon digital cameras.

The story of building the model of the "Whaleback" seems to stem from where is lived many years ago up in the great lakes area of the U.S.

Jim is a laid-back person and deeply interested in building his models. Most of them are 1/48 scale, but in recent years he took a turn and started going after some complicated kits, some out of production for many years, like Sterling kits he found on Ebay. Other recent builds include some WWII battleships, plastic models that are motorized for RC.

One unique thing about Jim is all (I believe) of his models involve gear reduction between the motor(s) and shaft(s). He hand makes small parts where many people will avoid the small details. Here is a video of one of his other models, the City Of Buffalo:

There are a lot of photos of his work on our website... http://ssmbc-fl.org

Lew

In Polish magazine "Modelarstwo Okretowe", there is a plan available for such a whaleback design (http://www.modelarstwookretowe.pl/index.php?p=19&s=numer_opis&id_n=38 ).
Maybe it could be of help...

Zdenek

Hi Elsrickle,

Re: Can you give me more info on the electronic lash up you have made for the pulse circuit working from the motor speed control and the electric circuits for the e cig and pump.

The attached drawing shows a block diagram of the electronics. The 'smoke pulse generator' is a PIC10f220 microchip programmed to measure the pulse width of the throttle channel from the receiver. This width is used within the PIC to generate an output signal which is in effect the on/off waveform for the air pump driving the smoker to produce smoke pulses. The higher the throttle setting, the shorter the off time of this output signal and hence the more frequent the smoke pulses. This signal is connected to the PWM speed controller to control the pump speed. In the first iteration of the circuit, the PWM speed control circuit was built with two 555 timer chips and a bunch of discrete components. The second iteration, put together today, replaces the 555 timers and all the discrete components with a second PIC10f220 chip.

I'm still working on the settings and timings for these circuits adjusting the pulse widths, pump minimum and maximum speeds, etc to try and get a more realistic effect.

Graham93

Thanks for the info. Afraid the programming of the chip a bit much for me, the timers circuits not a problem have used them before with success. However enjoying the progress of the smokers you doing a good job

Eventually, I'll work my way up to Live Steam!

We should live so long Ed 😉
I may have the machines necessary to make a steam engine, but I sure don't have the expertise necessary🤔, like Hammer 👍 for instance does have! Anyone out there making mini marine diesels????
Cheers, Doug 😎

That,s a lovely bit of work!

Looking great so far !

This boiler runs at around 60psi ! do you think that is a little high ? I was a little concerned by the amount of steam that is being generated as you may have noticed in the video. I can adjust the intensity of the flame inside the boiler so that a lower head of steam is generated, what do you think ?
Kevin

Hi Kevin
Yes that's what I do. I am always amazed at the power the oscillator generates and once rotating very little steam is required to maintain speed. Then again it's not for windy or rough conditions. I would try gradually reducing the pressure until the engine show signs of stopping and then increase by a couple of psi to ensure safe running. You do not need to run the boiler at its max rated pressure when the escape valve will be opening just at a level that replaces what the engine uses. Can we have another video with the steam whistle sounding?
Dave

Nice realist looking on-water pics. Thanks for sharing
Dave

Nicely finished tug with that well executed patina of a well loved, used vessel. 10 out of 10👍😎

A very good effort. A video of it sailing would be awesome.👍

Will do but having trouble programme accepting the video of it sailing

Love the puffer,lived in Argyll when puffers were still working boats,have one to build,next project.Enjoyed your video,boat looks to bevery well built!

Hello Ian,
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts, will try and do a Video,especially if the weather stays mild
Regards
Brian

She is Beautiful!!

doe s it matter on prop handing? or is it a case of wiring motor other way.

hI grandadave, if you are talking about the prop going forwards and backwards, then it is the speed controller that handles that. I just put a mtroniks 15amp esc in it and that handles the forwards and backwards no problem. After that it is sorting out the transmitter or just get a cheapy car one off ebay as they have forwards and backwards on them. regards steve