Steam Whistle for real padler!

[thewharfonline]

Ok heres a question for you...

I have my real paddler...(well it's getting theere) and I want  it to have a steam whistle...however she's not going tro be a steam driven boat so how do I get the whistle do work.

Could I use one of those little steam engine models or should I hook up an air compressor?

And then where do I get it from?

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks
Sean

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's - Sean - I guess the air compressor would work & you can get the 12V versions from Auto Parts shops [in OZ, Repco - Super Cheap Autos etc] for about $30.00 AUD, but they are very hungry in current draw :rant - & the noise level may drown out the whistle sound  :music - another option would be a SOUND UNIT - I am sure there have been some PD postings on good versions & not so great versions - Derek

[Barrie]

The obvious source (if you were in the UK) would be JJC - see references elsewhere on this forum. Plenty of volume, low current requirements - 6 or 12 volt SLA would be adequate - but it might be expensive to get it to OZ. Don't know about import duty etc. There are samples on http://www.jjc-electronics.com but I don't think they do the actual sounds justice.  

Barrie

[thewharfonline]

Thanks for your replies guys and yes Derek I thought it might drown it out too. Thats why I was wondering if maybe the model boiler would work.....but I was researching steam whisatles and they need between 70 and 150 PSI can you do that on a model boiler?

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Sean,
If you check I think you will find it is not the pressure you need but the volume of air/steam look up Helmholtz resonator whistle, that should put you on the right track.
Regards,
Gerald

[thewharfonline]

Hi Sean,
If you check I think you will find it is not the pressure you need but the volume of air/steam look up Helmholtz resonator whistle, that should put you on the right track.
Regards,
Gerald

Thanks for that but on most of the steam whistle websites I've been on they've given a PSI level for runnind and I know from work experience that the whistles need so much pressure as well!

Such as the Adelaide's Big Boy Locomotive whistle! Why does the Adelaide have a Big Boy Whistle....who knows...I don't think anybody does!

[ijig]

I just built one for a friend of mine. He ordered a 12v compressor from harbor freight and came up with a lever valve. I built a whistle out of PVC Pipe and used an old 20# propane tank for air storage. I worked fine on his houseboat.

[mjt60a]

...so you want to use something like this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brass-steam-engine-whistle-on-wood-plinth_W0QQitemZ7373521321QQcategoryZ4175QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
...or this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Chime-steam-whistle_W0QQitemZ6021260735QQcategoryZ14737QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
.......

[ijig]

either one should?? work. the only way you will know is to try. 71GBP sounds like alot to me. PVC one can be built for uner $5 US.

[mjt60a]

That's true, I think the sellers of those two whistles might be thinking of them as collectors items (I don't know anything about restoring steam engines/traction engines so maybe that's just what they usually cost!) If using compressed air instead of hot steam, a PVC one should be good enough (then again, maybe if we were using steam it'd be possible to make one from a length of copper pipe of the type used in heating systems....)  

[thewharfonline]

so your saying I should make my own! I thought I nice old fashioned steam whistle would be nice! Maybe I could ask one of the guys up at Echuca about one...the guy I'm thinking of restors the engines so maybe just maybe theres something!