Since I'm having difficulty getting copper etc for a boiler for my Westbury-style engine, my idle hands have turned to other engines ...

I'm well aware that most places totally ban the internal-combustion engine because of the infernal noise (and potential pollution) they put out but I wondered if the following might be acceptable:-

A/ Slow-revving stationary-type, petrol engine, like the twin-flywheel, hopper-cooled ones you see at rallies ;

B/ External combustion engines e.g.
    1/ Flame-licker (vacuum) engine;
    2/ Stirling engine.

Of course any of them would have to be suitably geared to the paddle-wheels, I'm not sure about reversing, and speed-control could be very limited, but it would be different.
What do you think?

Geoff

Hi Geoff,
like it when people think outside the square.
Just my humble opinion, but wouldn't think that your B option - flicker flame or stirling, would have enough power left over to drive anything useful.
The option A may be a goer though may be a bit slow for a paddler.
Be interested in hearing others opinion, and see you (or anyone else) make one to try in a paddler
cheers
kiwi

Has anyone ever tried a hamster in a wheel 'tween decks??

Or one inside each paddle wheel.
Would that then be a self starting duo?

kiwi

Anyone prepared to do a design for a hammy-snorkel or hamqualung??

maybe you could use newts instead???

Newts tend to be a bit inebriated

electric and g/boxe works well , at least you can tune the ratios , useing tooth belts or a combination of gears+belts
bill

We have a paddler locally which uses an industrial diesel to drive a hydraulic pump which in turn drives independent hydraulic motors for each wheel. Its quiet, powerful and of course turns extremely well when one wheel is reversed and tthe other runs forward. It is at the Paeroa Maritime Museum if anybody wants to pop over for a visit. Happy to find you a bed. Cheers, Ian.