Large Scale Central

Blower car

General Discussion
#41

Sean I commented on your video on the “video” section but my remark is worth repeating.
“Your blower car works very well” The trees in the beginning look really good and the old factory looks like it has been there forever. Cool.

Hoping to tinker on mine today but right now there are so many leaves piled up I might need to get out the big guns, the backpack blower. Most of the leaves are still green down here so I expect to really be buried when they all fall.

#42

This thread is where the engineers gather. Have you guys thought of getting together and

putting something into an article on creating devices like this? From looking at the photos I see

some capacitors and other circuitry that would be cool to know more about. A how-to article on

designing the power unit and circuitry might inspire others to take a stab at this…or at least

make it easier.

While you’re at it could you design a vacuum/shredder unit that vacuums up the leaves, shreds

them, and feeds the shredded debris into the trailing hoppers/gondolas. Seems like the next

logic step.

#43

David Fielding said:

While you’re at it could you design a vacuum/shredder unit that vacuums up the leaves, shreds

them, and feeds the shredded debris into the trailing hoppers/gondolas. Seems like the next

logic step.

David,

My portable, handheld, B&D leaf blower had an attachment that sucked up leaves, chewed them up and spit them out into a garbage can. I used to fill a dozen bags each Fall - not sure a gondola train could cope with that volume!

#44

**David Fielding said:**From looking at the photos I see

some capacitors and other circuitry that would be cool to know more about.

That black magic came from Dan Pierce ( beyond my knowledge)

#45

So San, Don, Sean, and now Todd have built one of these. Awesome. With Aristocraft going away I hope

you are able to ramp up production quickly…or maybe Dan will post more details of the black magic.

I wonder if you could add a truck under an articulated blower output (flex hose) in order to steer

the output as it goes around curves.

Don’t forget to market these as “snow removal” units effective for several inches of snow. Imagine

one of these in combination with a plow…you could run trains outside year round up north.

#46

David for about $25 you can get a critter control no black magic.

Richard

#47

A google search on ‘critter control’ brings up “Orkin® Wildlife Control - Orkin.com‎” so I’m assuming

my blower will also eliminate my problem with mice, squirrels, and deer. :^) at least while I’m

running it…

It looks like Sean’s version uses a different mechanism but I believe the small unit on Don’s version

is what you are referring to as little critter - and I suspect I won’t find this by ripping apart my

little critter engine. I’ll try searching one of the electronic parts sites to see if I have any better

luck…but a part number might be faster.

#48

David LOL on pest control here is a link to critter control http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/gscalegraphics_2_021.htm

#49

THis is the one I used:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/gscalegraphics_2_018.htm

Doc

#50

Thanks Don and Richard. Seems like these boards were designed to drive locomotives. The Simple

Critter seems fine for the job so I’m wondering what the more advanced Basic Critter gets you. It

seems to have additional features like smooth stops and configurable acceleration. Don - Is there

a particular reason you chose the board with the additional features (easier on the motor)?

From the video I watched it is my understanding that all of these blower units are moved by a separate

locomotive. Using the critter control it would seem you could also power a motor block for a self propelled blower.

Any issues with the battery packs?

David

#51

David,

I like the more advanced Basic Critter controller mostly because it does allow for smooth startup of the motor and lessens the torque on the unit. Don’t want to take a chance on flipping the car over do we? Ha! Ha!.

I think the current draw on the loco battery might be a bit much, an additional draw of around 3 amps. But if you only run it for a short time it might not be an issue. Plus, you need to run a long external lead to the blower car.

The economics in both issues above will probably determine what you do anyway.

Doc

#52

I don’t know much abotu electronics but I was planning on using a 12volt rechargeble drill battery, running the positive through a 5 amp fuse then through a toggle switch to the fan motor and done. The negative is the negative. I did the same with my rotary plow and it works well.

Putting in a rotary speed switch would be pretty neat to be able to ramp up the blower motor though.

#53

Todd,

The way you intend to hook it up, the motor will run at it’s maximum speed. A speed control of any sort will only allow you to slow it down , not “ramp it up”.

#54

Joe,

I caught that too but Todd may want to get rid of small people and trees along with the

leaves and pine needles…

There are many options here and the cost definitely changes once you add the $25 or $89

critter controller.

David

#55

NJT uses a water jet machine to clear leaf debris.

see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAcOVFGqSS4

Who will build one?

#56

Finally some good progress was made on the floundering blower car build. I had to rebuild part of the depressed center flat and reengineer how the front truck would be attached.

This thing is gonna be cool but I need to locate a USA Trains generator that doesn’t cost $20 to complete it.

Pictures coming soon.

#57

I love these designs. Sean’s is impressive. I also REALLY REALLY love the finished painted look of Doc Watson’s. When are you guys going into production with these?

#58

OK, read this Sunday and round up everything and build one like
Sean’s Wed. and it works great. Should have build one a long time
ago.

#59

Catherine,

I decided a long time ago to stick to building onezees and not to even think about replicating something. I believe this could easily lead to boredom. Besides, the key item (blower nozzle) that gives my car its “finished” look is no longer available.

My version of the blower car just represents my style, which tends to be overkill. My objective is to always provide input to the general knowledge of modeling and hopefully inspire and help others.

Doc Watson

#60

That was quick Henson. Pictures?? I’m still tinkering on mine, by the time it is done it will be blowing snow not leaves.

Catherine you can build your own it is not that difficult, a flat car, blower fan with some sort of duct work, battery and a switch to run it on. It gets tricky when you design something weird and unusual. What makes this hobby so great is that so many folks build custom buildings and equipment for their custom and very personal RR’s No 2 are alike. If you have a RR that is prone to collect leaf litter you could buy a Aristocraft snowplow (if they are still available). I push mine around the first lap year round to clear what ever may have fallen on the main.

happy RRing