Search found 31 matches

by Paulus
Tue Jul 16, 2019 5:33 pm
Forum: Videos
Topic: Ffestiniog Hunslet 125 gala webcams
Replies: 4
Views: 23013

Re: Ffestiniog Hunslet 125 gala webcams

Very nice!
I'm actually now watching the train shunting at Harbour Station.
Thanks for sharing! :thumbright:
by Paulus
Tue Jun 04, 2019 7:20 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

Thank you Philip!
by Paulus
Tue Jun 04, 2019 6:41 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

The diode should go between the cell and the solar panel but if you are still using the board that might not be necessary. I'd probably get rid of the board and just wire the cell to the panel and diode, then use a DPDT switch for the motor so it just runs off the cell. That would have been more si...
by Paulus
Mon Jun 03, 2019 8:19 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

What diode did you use? It should be a Schottky diode with a low drop in forward voltage. A standard diode has a drop of 0.7volts. Adding one more solar panel would improve things as well - it is a very small one you have. Having an multi-meter and knowing how to use it is useful when you are playi...
by Paulus
Sun Jun 02, 2019 12:29 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

Ingenious, and unlike many of these technology try-outs you're going to the trouble to add proper coachworks to it. Good job! :thumbright: :sunny: Thank you :D Yes I thought when it worked it would be a pity if it only had a milk box as coach so I put some effort in it after a successful test drive...
by Paulus
Sat Jun 01, 2019 11:30 am
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

I switched the cell for a 2500 mAh. Hopefully it won't take too long to charge in the sun ;) During construction of the roof one of the wires broke of from the panel. I had to solder it back on. I hope I did not damage the panel by doing that. I placed a diode as advised. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-...
by Paulus
Sat Jun 01, 2019 11:21 am
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Re: Thermo-electric powered tram

Thanks again for your answer :)
Now I only have to find some time to experiment. But it is a thing I certainly want to try soon.
by Paulus
Sat May 25, 2019 7:23 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Tom's station building
Replies: 59
Views: 25531

Re: Tom's station building

Great looking little station! Beautiful details and paintwork. Love it!
by Paulus
Tue May 21, 2019 9:45 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

It has been a few weeks, so time for an update! After building the chassis I started to build a coach from balsa sheets and cardboard (the backsides of paper notebooks). The coach will be attached to the chassis with small screws from underneath. The type of Billard draisine is changed a bit, someth...
by Paulus
Tue May 21, 2019 9:33 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Re: Thermo-electric powered tram

Thank you very much for your answers Melbournesparks! That make some things clear. I really like this tram you have build and I see the opportunities of this technique (as a 'low-tech' person). I am serious thinking of giving it a try. Perhaps with a tea light at first or use a burner from an old go...
by Paulus
Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:12 am
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Re: Thermo-electric powered tram

You can even buy elements already fitted with heat sinks. On this one you would just need to remove the smaller fan and heat that side. https://www.banggood.com/da/TEC1-12706-Thermoelectric-Peltier-Refrigeration-Cooling-System-Kit-Cooler-Fan-p-936497.html? Are you sure about heating the side of the...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 7:47 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Re: Thermo-electric powered tram

Thank you for explaining. as the hot side does not sit directly underneath the cold side. Is it better to place it in such way that the hot side is underneath the cold side? More efficient? heating a steam loco with lipo battery packs. That sounds interesting as well. Please post some progress on it...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:54 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

Oke clear. Thanks again for your help! :thumbleft:
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:23 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Atmospheric Railway
Replies: 7
Views: 10815

Re: Atmospheric Railway

Very interesting indeed! Never heard of it before so I googled some more on this. It is fascinating that the first of those ideas are almost 200 years old, like the Saint-Germain atmospheric railway in France that was published about in 1847 (L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 216, April 17, 1847...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 6:04 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

Best to use a schottky diode as they have less voltage drop. Any normal diode will work though provided the solar cell voltage is high enough. Can a LED also be used for blocking diode to prevent discharge? It is a Light Emitting Diode so I suggest it could? That would be practical as I can use it ...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:54 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Re: Thermo-electric powered tram

It's very simple to do. Just requires a peltier element and a heatsink/fan like those used to cool CPU's in desktop PC. You heat one side of the peltier element and cool the other and it produces electricity. Efficiency is low but that's not an issue at this scale. You can even buy elements already...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:24 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: Thermo-electric powered tram
Replies: 14
Views: 14023

Thermo-electric powered tram

Came across a video of a very interesting thermo-electric powered G-scale model tram on Youtube. After some Googling I found out the build of it was described on GSC in 2016: https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/thermoelectric-tram.307351/ As far as I could see this type of alternative power was no...
by Paulus
Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:25 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

And a successful testrun!

by Paulus
Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:23 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

Thanks for your reply. Yes I suppose it will fit al under the passenger bench hopefully. :) Some progress on the chassis. I used an other plywood part leftover and and a sheet of balsa on top. Also made an axle mount out of styrene sheets. Again all very basic and light. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B...
by Paulus
Sun Apr 14, 2019 6:56 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Alternative Power
Topic: The SOL project
Replies: 30
Views: 28838

Re: The SOL project

The plywood parts of the Solar House kit turned out to be very handy as a support for the motor and gearbox.With a bit cutting and filing all fits nicely. This base is 72,5 mm in square. I will use some balsa sheets that I have lying around to expand the chassis. It will become somewhere between 130...