Irish Royal Mail Steamer Connaught build

[djcf]

Hi Stuart,
Those big paddle boxes really catch the eye, very nice indeed. Will the base of the sponson extend out to form a "Belting"  or rubbing strip around the outside of the boxes?
 I found this photo, not very good quality and you have probably seen it!
 Clark

[Stuart Badger]

Hi Clark!

Yes I've got that photo The sponsons indeed have a massive 'belt' that goes around the boxes, and the boxes themselves have a lovely ornate bargeboard at the junction of the sponson and box. Here's a photo of the box that Mick took at the Science Museum.

all the best

Stuart

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi Pd's .........."The sponsons indeed have a massive 'belt' that goes around the boxes, and the boxes themselves have a lovely ornate bargeboard at the junction of the sponson and box"

This makes more sense Stuart ........ ....I saw the white hoops of the paddle box's & thought something was wrong  but the trip to Adelaide last Friday    hindered my question.....

....however  the build continues to be .....Derek

[mjt60a]

Coming along nicely! 

[Stuart Badger]

Hi PDs
and thanks to those that are following the build and commenting.

I've had a few distractions lately so the build has been a little slow and I've found it difficult to concentrate on 'fiddly' bits. So to give me a change I decided (partly at Eddy's prompting) to concentrate on the drive for Connaught.

Connaught's wheels are big and as such will need a slightly higher gear reduction than normal. I also need to use two motors to be sure of having enough power and the motors Eddy donated look ideal. There is the additional challange in that there is very little space to get a big pulley or gear on the paddle shaft.

The solution I have come up with is a belt drive 'module' which in turn drives a further chain and sprocket reduction.

I think the pictures are self explanatory - but if you would like any clarification - please ask!

All the best

Stuart

[Eddy Matthews]

A very neat drive unit Stuart, obviously you managed to source pulleys and belts okay?

It will be interesting to see if the gearing works out okay, as with most of these things it's a bit of pot luck (hopefully based on an educated guess)!

The first on the water trials are looming..... Can't wait!!

Regards
Eddy

[Stuart Badger]

I managed to get belts and gears from the Davall gear company as usual - arrived 4 days after ordering, amazing!

I WAS going to go for a walk on the beach - but we are now in the throws of a force 10 westerly gale, so I went back in the workshop and fitted the drive unit. As you can see a chain and sprocket drive to the paddle shaft. I've managed to get the motors actually on the base of the hull, which I'm quite pleased about.
I have also found on the island some Jelly Acid 12 volt accumulators which are very low and long. They are designed to run emergency Taverna lighting! and I think will be ideal as a power source. Perhaps some one could advise me on the sort of capacity I should be looking for?

All the best

Stuart

[PeeWee]

That looks a very neat installation, this is defiantly a great build and i always look forward to the next instalment.

[R.G.Y.]

Stuart, Thanks for your encouragement on my build. I will be studying you method building the wheels. geoff

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks Pee Wee and Geoff!

All the best

Stuart

[chipmonk]

Hi Stuart. With regards to battery capacity just remember the higher the amphours the longer the boat will run for and lead jelly batteries make good ballast. A gross simplification of the subject I know but it works for me .
Cheers Chris M

[Talisman]

Nice work again Stuart


Re the motor i assume the motors are the same spec as motors supplied to me by Eddy in which case i believe / think the following is the spec for the motor if it helps with calculating required capacity / run time.
Regards,
Kim

Specification,   


 100W  24V
Empty loading RPM 2800
Empty loading  current  (A) ≤1.2
Constant  loading RPM 1900
loading  N.m 0.35
Constant loading current (A) ≤10
Efficiency ≥72

[Talisman]

Just an observation ....
your motors will generate considerable torque  - if the paddles get jammed do you have a clutch / sheering split pin type arrangement?

I am only using one of Eddy's motors on my Talisman with a slipping clutch as i couldn't bear to damage an 8 float let alone a wheel like yours.
I'm sure you have allready thought this one through but I'd hate to see you damage such a great piece of work so please don't be offended if I'm pointing out the obvious.
Regards,
Kim

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....Stuart ...your paddle drive is very interesting

I see a second stage duplex roller chain drive to the actual paddle shaft

a) will there be adaquate anti flexing & support of the paddle shaft close by either side of the duplex pinion?
b) are there ball bearings in the plummer blocks which will negate longitidunal thrust along the axis of the secondary shaft?
c) I could not see a duplex acetal roller chain in the electrinic SPSI catalogue....is it a duplex varient of that previously used?....I do remember the spinning pinion that lost drive on Old Trafford.......& see S/S split pins here to counter this....but also the pinions appear to have a brass sleeve ?
d) the old 3.117P single roller chain has a UTS of 0.9 Kg ..so a duplex varient is still less than 2 Kg UTS .....still a great  build .....Derek  ......

[derekwarner_decoy]

OK PD's............I think I now see Stuart..... ......two single strand pair of pinions & chain on each shaft........ .....Derek