RC Locomotive 'Diesel-Electric'

[Doom!]

Ok its got paint on so hopefully it won’t go rusty now and i can get on with doing proper things, lots of bits have arrived including belts, fuel pipe (who knew you can't use silicone pipe with petrol?) Big gauge wiring purchased in AWG weird! And batteries for rc and engine ignition. My wallet is looking thin, like marriage threateningly thin.

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I knew this was going to be a big boy, but seeing this photo really gave me a better sense of scale. When it's done, your going to need two people to lift it.

 

[Roog]

I carry a picture of my RC's in my wallet where the money used to be.
Sounds like you're doing this right.

Ah yes I used to show people at work the results of my hobby, but they stopped talking to me, go figure?

 

[Roog]

I knew this was going to be a big boy, but seeing this photo really gave me a better sense of scale. When it's done, your going to need two people to lift it.

I have weighed the individual parts and it is getting a bit of a lump. Mind you mine is a tiddler compared to the 5" & 7 1/4" locos there is no way you can lift it on to the track in one piece, I am told the process is: bogies go on the track first then lift the chassis is lifted over them and batteries are fitted afterwards, body goes on top. Just need to keep the chassis a reasonable weight.

Big steamers can't be broken up much, loco and tender I guess, I've seen people roll the thing out of the back of their station wagon or panel van and on to a section of track in large castors, they even have little funnel like sections to guide the 'loose wheels' on to the track section, then lift it to track level with a built in hydraulic lift, like a mini car lift. that way the loco can be kept in one piece for transport, mind you I have to consider what happens at home!

This could be: fun/interesting/challenging.

Actually my father and I used to build very large model steam boats, they were a two man lift, OK man and teenager and the boats were awkward to grab and slippery getting them in and out of the water at the side of a lake

 

[Roog]

This afternoon I masked off the wheels to paint the recess, it took my 45 mins to mask and 30 seconds or less to do each coat!

Well thats one side done, second side still wet

 

[Roog]

So here’s a question how long do i wait for the paint to dry before assembling?

Belts have arrived and I'm itching to get it lashed together

 

[Doom!]

So here’s a question how long do i wait for the paint to dry before assembling?

Belts have arrived and I'm itching to get it lashed together

48 hours is usually more than enough drying time for a solid finish.

 

[Roog]

48 hours is usually more than enough drying time for a solid finish.

Thanks @Doom! the paint feels quite firm, i'll make a start tomorrow :0)

 

[CertifiedMike]

I try to follow all the instructions as well as possible. They usually tell you when its safe to handle, repaint etc.

I've had good luck so far.

We are all itchy to see you get this train rolling!
I am looking forward to seeing the painted parts assembled too!

 

[Roog]

I try to follow all the instructions as well as possible. They usually tell you when its safe to handle, repaint etc.

I've had good luck so far.

We are all itchy to see you get this train rolling!
I am looking forward to seeing the painted parts assembled too!

Cheers yes I’m sure it does say on the tin, I’ve always found the times a bit optimistic especially on non porous materials. I did have a scrape of the paint in the bearing holes and it was reasonably tough so fingers crossed it’s ok.

Because everything is now black, it might look less interesting than the bare metal.

I’ve been looking for a suitable battery, LiFePO4 seems to be the preferred technology especially because it’s less prone to catching fire and you can get batteries in bigger capacities, that said the bigger LiIon 21700 can pack a bigger punch in terms of peak current delivery and charge rate. So I still have some head scratching to do especially as the room to put the batteries is slowly being eroded.

 

[Roog]

Well the belts fit! Length calculated from the CAD drawings, theres a first time for everything

I’ve even started to apply Loctite so some of the threads, thus guaranteeing that it will need to come apart tomorrow

 

[tudordewolf]

Here's a very parallel project with a lot of potentially useful research to borrow from for the generator:

 

[Roog]

Here's a very parallel project with a lot of potentially useful research to borrow from for the generator:

Good spot thanks @tudordewolf it is very similar to what I have in mind, in fact I did buy a Honda GX25 for the purpose, unfortunately it’s a little too big to fit my model, but I've kept it for a future project. I settled for a 2 stroke petrol engine which in theory produces more power than the Honda, but I doubt it will be as civilised or long lived.

I am also looking to use a VESC in regen mode to facilitate the generator, I have a flipsky 75100, I've not heard of an ‘o drive’ I will have to check that out.

Here is the progress on my generator frame/cradle/skid, first the alternator (aka BLDC Out runner motor) mounting plate and in the back ground the first of two side plates being faced off to length.

Below I decided to cut a profile on the top lip of the side plates, but left the middle intact to safe tool wear.

And milling the 1/4” thick angle profile to final dims

New carbide end mill makes light work of aluminium, the chips are coming off in flakes like snow.

Loosely assembled it looks like below, the top flat edges run along the top of the chassis rails spaced off using bolt down rubber isolation bushes. Whilst it does have a nice chunky feel to it I wonder whether 1/4” thick angle might have been a bit of over kill?

In theory latest ‘design’ (it changes at least once a week) the cradle above sits quite low between the chassis rails, whilst this might make sense in a car to lower the centre of gravity, in this case it has to sit low to clear the spark plug protruding out of the top of the engine, the engine has proven to be taller than the dims in the advert showed and whilst the extra height might not be a massive issue in other models it’s a pain in my loco, this means all of the carb adjusters are tucked away underneath.