Recent content by boatmadman

These have now been sold, thanks.

One set of plans, A3 size, for a Steamech marine steam model engine. One set of pre cut components supplied by Steamech. These have been sitting in a drawer for 8 years now. They won't get used by me, so they should go to someone who will complete the engine. The pre cut components...

hi, love this build. Where can I get plans for this engine? Thanks Ian

I have done this successfully. For best - read quickest - results, mix in the alum until the solution is saturated, then heat the solution and offending article. Maintain at just below boiling point and you will see tiny bubbles coming from the broken tap. This is the tap being eaten up with no...

Here is a link to where I got mine from: www.magnet-shop.net and the magnets I used (shaft RM-12x04x06-N and the bottom RM-15x08x06-N)

I have managed to get my motor to run at about 60rpm in dull daylight. This was achieved by careful balancing of the rotor. Its surprising how much difference it makes. Ian

George, What size wire did you use on your second motor? Also, do you know what the resistance per meter is? The wire I used is 0.35ohm per m. I think my mk 2 will have cells similar to yours, I want one to run at lower light levels than my mk 1. Ian

I originally started with 100 turns on each coil, that gave a measured resistance of 15 ohms and the motor wouldn't run at all. I reduced to 50 turns ( 7 ohms measured), and it runs, reduced further to 40 turns and it runs in slightly lower light levels. If you have too high resistance...

Ken, I cant change the cell configuration on this, they are in series and there are only 4 cells. Maybe if I do another I'll use higher output cells for better slow running. Another option would be to reduce the number of turns to increase the current flow.This one currently has 50 turns on...

Thanks guys for the plans etc. Here is my effort, 0.5v 125ma panels, 50 turns of .22 wire and acrylic structure. It seems to need a good amount of light to run, think the next one needs to have higher voltage cells. Ian

I am in the process of an acrylic version, first attempt at the rotor failed, only because I went for 23mm sq acrylic for 21 mm wide panels which didnt leave enough 'meat' for windings. Next version I will be using 3 acrylic plates machined for the panels. Regarding balancing, Ken, your idea...

Having just re found my steamech plans and components in the bottom of a drawer, I thought I would resurrect this thread and ask: Did anyone resolve the missing dimension issue? Ian

Ant, I did a set of engine bearings like this: cut the block square but a little oversize, put in vice and drill/ream for the shaft , take out block, put shaft through hole and put block back in vice with the shaft resting on the vice jaws, mill flat to size. Of course this depends on the vice...

Brilliant - I want to build one as well! :bow:

If you have an isolation cock on the pressure gauge, just slowly shut that in to dampen the fluctuations. Just dont shut off completely! Ian