Large Scale Central

RC added to Accucraft Forney

Electronics Live Steam
#1

My friend stopped by today and we hooked up my foney to RC. What a difference it makes. We were able to hide the servo inside the coal bunker leaving only the arm sticking out. It was placed in line with the gas lever. We then took some wire and bent to fit in the slots of the servo and the throttle. The servo runs to a wire harness. Then off the harness we have a plug so we can charge battery without taking out of the bunker. I plan on cutting a hole ontop of bunker so I can put the switch and charger plug ontop. Then I will add a removable coal load to hide the switch. The battery is a 4.8 volt 500MA Nicad battery. I also got another servo that will also be placed inside bunker with a hole to fit wire through. That will go to the forward/reverse lever.

Overall view of forney with rc

the other side

close up of inside on gas lever side

servo

setup from throttle side

Wire harness setup. This will all placed inside bunker.

#2

Excellent work Shawn…looking like a great installation.

#3

Nice job Shawn.
Those 4 channel Planet RX’s sure are small nowadays. They also come with right angle servo pins for plugging in direct to my battery R/C ESC’s. Servo leads not needed.

Might I suggest a small dollop of rubber cement on the soldered joints at the switch. This prevents corrosion attacking the metal parts.

#4
TonyWalsham said:
Nice job Shawn. Those 4 channel Planet RX's sure are small nowadays. They also come with right angle servo pins for plugging in direct to my battery R/C ESC's. Servo leads not needed.

Might I suggest a small dollop of rubber cement on the soldered joints at the switch. This prevents corrosion attacking the metal parts.


Tony thanks for the advise with the rubber cement. Great idea. I really like that planet RX’s. My friend was shocked at how small it was. Im glad you recomended them. Im very happy with the setup.

#5

Looking good :smiley:

#6

Shawn;

That Looks just like my Forney. They must be twins.
How much does it cost to put in an RC unit.
But on the other hand I wouldn’t even know where to start, I’m not to savvy on on that RC stuff.
But I would like to have that in my Forney.

#7

David it did not not cost much. Tony gave me some good links. The radio transmitter cost $59 and its the 2.4ghz. Its comes with the receiver. http://www.hobby-lobby.com/planet_5_radio_2.4ghz_transmitter_1034249_prd1.htm
The servo cost $33 http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hs_65_mg_metal_gear_servo_2795_prd1.htm
I gotthe battery from my local hobby town for under $20 but you can use the battery case from radio shack or something. In all it was just over $100. The instal was pretty easy especially since there is so much room to play with. I still have to add a servo for the forward/reverse but you can get away without it. Here is my topic on the RC
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=15730

#8

I could afford that. It’s the hooking it up that might be a challenge.
My hands have been giving me alot of trouble lately.
I can’t get them to work on fine details to long then they cramp up.
Gives me a bit of a fit.

#9

You can get servos even cheaper than that, too. I just picked up two HiTec micro servos from my local R/C hobby shop for $11 each. Plastic gears, not metal, but for moving the throttle arm, you don’t need metal. If you go online (Hobby King and other places) you can get micro servos for as little as $4 each! Probably the exact same as the HiTec, but by the time I factored in shipping and all that stuff, the LHS was comparable, and I’d rather give them the money.

Later,

K

#10
David Kapp said:
I could afford that. It's the hooking it up that might be a challenge. My hands have been giving me alot of trouble lately. I can't get them to work on fine details to long then they cramp up. Gives me a bit of a fit.
David its well worth it. My Forney runs great now that both the throttle and Johnson bar are hooked up. It does awsome on my layout with grades but you have to be on the controls constantly. But thats what makes it so much fun. Kevin thanks ll have to keep that in mind for next time.
#11

Shawn when’s the next get together?
If I don’t work I’ll be there.
I’ll bring my Forney.

#12
David Kapp said:
Shawn when's the next get together? If I don't work I'll be there. I'll bring my Forney.
David its Jan 15th Sunday at 1M in Reeders PA by camalback Mountain/the crossings area. I will be their. Hope you can make. If not your always welcome to stop by my place Im just over the river from Milford PA. Im usually off every Sun, Mon, and Tue. Dont forget about the Scranton Steamup Presidents weekend.
#13
Quote:
I still have to add a servo for the forward/reverse but you can get away without it.
Well, you might be able to, but I can't. On any kind of hill, you need to control the reversing lever in order to stop. Just closing the throttle with the engine in forward gear lets it coast forever (and ever and ever.)

Nice installation though! Hope you manage to squeeze another servo in there so you can handle reverse.

(P.S. I managed to fit the rcvr and batteries into the coal bunker on my FWRR/Ruby, which is only about 1/2" deep. The servos are in the cab - the reversing servo is on the floor in front of the lever.)

I did find this note in the Planet 5 descrkption:
Be aware that Planet T5 is not a ‘full range’ system and should only be used at ranges of up to around 100 yards

#14
Pete Thornton said:
Quote:
I still have to add a servo for the forward/reverse but you can get away without it.
Well, you might be able to, but I can't. On any kind of hill, you need to control the reversing lever in order to stop. Just closing the throttle with the engine in forward gear lets it coast forever (and ever and ever.)

Nice installation though! Hope you manage to squeeze another servo in there so you can handle reverse.

(P.S. I managed to fit the rcvr and batteries into the coal bunker on my FWRR/Ruby, which is only about 1/2" deep. The servos are in the cab - the reversing servo is on the floor in front of the lever.)

I did find this note in the Planet 5 descrkption:
Be aware that Planet T5 is not a ‘full range’ system and should only be used at ranges of up to around 100 yards


Thanks Pete. I did finally get the servo hooked up to the forward/reverse. Makes a hudge difference. I was able to fit 2 servos and a battery into the coal bunker. Then I added a switch on top with a coal load to hide it. This allows me to shut the battery off and go to a charger.

#15

Well I got a radio transmitter,receiver,and enough servos to R C my forney.
Now I know I didn’t get the state of the art but I got what I can afford.
This is my last week to work I will then be offically Retired.
Lots of time no money.

#16

I’m going to get to the steamup at the trolly building at Steamtown.
I’m going to shoot for Saturday.
I don’t have to be concerened with anything but money since I’m going to be retired.
What are the times for the steamup.
I’ll bring my Forney if it is runable.
If not I can bring my climax log train.

#17

David - I think the hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

#18
Jon Radder said:
David - I think the hours are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
That sounds about right. I plan on going saturday and then part day Sunday now.
#19

Last day of work.
I was tinkering with the Forney earlier,
I need to find a place to get some rods and connectors. To make linkage.
I haven’t had too much luck on finding what I need.
I received my control lever from Accucraft, so I’m ready there.
Any ideas?

#20

David, look for a place near you that sells rc airplanes that would be your best bet.

Nico