I'm in the midst of working up a driveline for a real-world ~30 ft sternwheeler, that I'm still in the figuring-stuff-out stage...
She's to have twin paddlewheels, like the "Wild Goose".
I have the motor/Pitman drive figured, using electrics, a gear reduction unit, and a marvelous dual crank/multiple-link gizmo.
What I can not find is the wheel cranks and their typical throw, or any modern(ish) wheels/float designs. Only thing I'm coming up with look either like toys, aerator paddle wheels, or just narrow wheels, like someone made 1/4th of a wheel. I figure on 5 ft to 6 ft diameter, 8 float wheels. I'd much rather run an old-fashione crank, than those offset cylindrical doohikies, since I'm certain I'm going to be making, or adapting, to get what I need, anyway. Personally, I'd rather grind down, drill through, and use connecting rods, just for simplicities sake.
I actually like the look of one of the aerator wheels, but, since it's an aerator, the 'float' is structured Bass-achwards, will have an increase in lift, compared to plain board-floats, but dang if it wouldn't exit the water cleaner... The Paddles resemble chair-backs, from when I was a kid...
Anyway, If there were no holes and the rib-reinforcement was on the reverse side, it might be worth experimenting with.
My idea is to have a pair of Pitmans, drive each wheel, with twin cranks (at 90*). The drive system will be well disguised. Each mechanism, for each wheel will look like a horizontal twin-cylinder something like the Emerson-Walker steam capstan and the Worthington-Simpson feedwater pump. I like the valve-linkage for the feedwater pump...
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4039/5160524285_eab49536fa_z.jpghttp://www.markhamgrangesteammuseum.co.uk/images/worthington02.jpgI'd sure appreciate any help.
Later, Jeff F,
Cedar Creek, Texas
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