Geared motors

[Joe E Brown]

All Electronics has an assortment of geared motors and many other
things that can be applied to boats. They are a mail order
electronics surplus store.
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?
category=400400&type=store

[MikeDD656]

I notice that the local surplus store has a ready supply of Pittman gearhead
motors for about $12usd. As I remember they are 12vdc and 200rpm. If you want
new motors Pittman is located in Harleyville, PA. and they are on the web.
They will make a custom gearhead on order. Based on my experience, their
14000 series motors are bodaciously powerful too.

[Paulrjordan]

Hey Mike
These will be 12V motors at 200 rpm through the gears right? Stands to
reason they're around 100 rpm at 6V (even I can do that kind of
math!!) Joe likes around 100 rpm for sternwheelers but I prefer a
little faster for side wheelers. Most Pittmans are beautiful, smooth
motors and bodaciously powerful as you say..but they can also be
bodaciously HEAVY too, specially when you have to double 'em up for a
sidewheeler. Might be a little iffy for a sidepaddler less than 36"
but, at US $12.00 a motor seems like a deal for those who are used to
paying FULL hobby shop prices for motors.

Here's a tip for the "el cheapo's" in the group (like ME!). Dustbuster
motors (not for sidepaddlers though) are good low draw high torque
motors. I have a local guy who brings them to me from the TRASH and I
also see them the whole time in yard sales and the local thrift store
... (along with electric toothbrushes, massagers and lots of other
rechargeable gadgets). Sometimes people junk 'em because one cell in
the battery pack is cooked and the things won't hold a charge any
more.

On top (literally) of the motor, you also get a few decent rechargable
batteries (test each cell separately) , AND (bonus!!).. a
charger....all for $5.00..or LESS! Not bad!!! So pick up those
rechargeable dustbusters wherever you see them.

For tiny motors ..go to your electronics surplus store and look for
the old computer fan motors..they run well at about 6 v and are teeny
(.75")..so is the price at around $1.00 each. Somebody on Modelboats
also suggested the motors and gear heads out of kids' "automatic"
revolving suckers are great for RADAR drives. I found torque-y little
micro motors about .5" long/flat can and run at 12V in my local hobby
store at $2.00 each (Don't know what to use them for yet...but I KNOW
I'll use 'em ONE DAY along with the other more than 100 motors I have
accumulated in the "Engine box" over the past 15 years!!

Printers, VCR's, and portable CD and tape players are also all good
"donor" sources dor electric motors... (the latter are often low draw
because they HAVE to go for long periods between charging). So if you
stay sharp you should NEVER have to pay full retail for an electric
boat motor again!!! (unless you're into fast electric competition
stuff.. then get ready to PAYYYYY!)

Oh and, if you want GREAT batteries cheap...tune in tomorrow!!!!

Thanks again for the Pittman tip, Mike!

PJ

[Paulrjordan]

IN POST 286 above I wrote that "Dustbuster motors (not for
sidepaddlers though) are good low draw high torque motors."

THIS INFORMATION IS INCORRECT - I must have mislabeled the engine in
my "collection" that I was using for reference.

Actually the Dustbuster motors ARE EXTREMELY "power hungry"
swallowing 4.5A @ 6V DC. They are extremely high revving (masses of
torque though) and would be completely unsuitable for ANY kind of
paddlewheeler as far as I can see. (probably more use for a fast
launch with twin props or a much larger model).

Having measured a number of motors last night, I found that motors
from old VCR's seem to be far more suitable for paddle wheelers(low
revving and low current draw from 0.01A to 0.05A @ 6V DC. Finding a
matched pair for sidewheelers could be a bit of a problem though.

It would be helpful to have input from the group with their thoughts
or experiences on which is a good commercial stock motor to drive
paddlers of up to 48" in length (Low revving at 6VDC, low current
draw, and enough torque) For side paddlers a "SHORTIE" is preferable
to conventional size motors. I would also like to hear from the
"Riverboaters" as to where they position their motors in the boat and
their preferred type of drive train to the sternwheel.

Look forward to hearing from some of you.
PJ

[Ken]

Hi P.J.
We are quite fortunate here in the U.K. as i have sourced a
supply of 6-18vdc geared motors that are just excellent for paddlers 100
r.p.m at 6v 200 r.p.m at 12 v. I found just right. Not to expensive £5-00
U.K. and good quality "Buhler". I have been using them in all my paddlers
and never had to replace one.
Ken

[Paulrjordan]

Hi Ken:

Thanks for posting this helpful information.

A couple of questions though for when you get a moment.

1) Is this engine available through http://www.paddlewheels.co.uk/

2) Does the price include the gearhead? What is the reduction in case
someone wants to substitute a belt drive ?

3) Have you any information on current draw (if you get a chance to
stick an ammeter on at "no load" and "stalled" and at 6V and 12V)?

4) Approx dimensions/weight of the motor ?

5) What is the typical set up or layout you have used (or would
recommend) using these motors in sidewheelers?

6) Is this engine available through your Canadian (currently North
American) distributor E.A. Electronics ?

(oh BTW Ken a little glitch at Paddlewheels on your page
http://www.paddlewheels.co.uk/eaelectronics.html - hyperlink to EA
Electronics)

Your source code is showing a hyper link/target to EA of
"http://wwweaelc.com" whereas it should read "http://www.eaelec.com/
looks like a little gremlin stole the "e"!!! The hyperlink won't work
until you change this.

Look forward to hearing from you
Best regards

PJ

PS KEN..Help!! Is there any gadget I can purchase or MAKE as a
tachometer (rev counter) for model electric engines ? I find myself
constantly guessing and it's an inexact science to say the least!!

[Ken]

Hi Everyone,
P.J. asked me to give details of a gearmotor i use in all my
paddle boats, So here it is.
Motor / Gearbox. Buhler or S.W.F. { dep on
availability }

1. Reduction Ratio : 1-148 approx
2. Current: No load. 6v 550 ma 12v 500ma
Stalled 6v 850 ma 12v 850 ma

3. Size : 60mm long x36mm Dia. 5mm output shaft with
flat.
Weight: 125 grams

4. Speed: 6v approx 100 r.p.m. 12v approx 200 r.p.m.

5. direct drive for side wheel
2-1 reduction by tooth belt for stern wheel.

6. Price. £5-00 + P&P.

ALL SPECIFICATIONS ARE APPROX.

I hope this is of some use to Paddleducker's everywhere.
Contact me either through the group or
ken@paddlewheels.co.uk
Good modelling
Ken.