Large Scale Central

Track blower set for test run

General Discussion
#21

Interesting duct work you used.
So what happens @ " full power"
Sean

#22
Sean McGillicuddy said:
Interesting duct work you used. So what happens @ " full power" Sean
Takeoff!
#23

It does take off. If not hooked to an engine, it will move backwards. If going forward, it removes everything in its way, including ballast. For now it definitely serves its designed function, but, I’m sure I could refine it to make it even more effective. I would like to have it blow the stuff completely off my layout, so I will need to work on the business end of the car. Another winter project.

#24

Noel,
Thanks! You’ve inspired me to actually getting things ordered to make one of these. We’ll see how long it takes to get these in ahnd. I’m still trying to find my workshop right now though.

Chas

#25

Chas,
Good luck, if I can help, let me know. The part for the speed control will probably take the longest, 7-10 days. Also, unless you have a huge layout, I don’t think you’ll need the 12v 5000 mha battery. The only reason I went for the bigger one is that it takes approximately 40-50 minutes to cover all of the tracks on my layout (appox. 1900’), and I run Bill’s RailSweeper in front and then the blower about 2 minutes behind that. My grandkids actually love cleaning the track, and they don’t even like cleaning their rooms.

#26

Sean McGillicuddy said:
Interesting duct work you used. So what happens @ " full power" Sean

I ended up with this duct work ,

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/blower.jpg)

I thought it gave me more options as to wind placement. Sean

#27

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Sean McGillicuddy said:
Interesting duct work you used. So what happens @ " full power" Sean

I ended up with this duct work ,

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/blower.jpg)

I thought it gave me more options as to wind placement. Sean

And don’t forget Wallace. Without him at the controls things would quickly get out of hand :smiley:

#28

Thank you to Shawn, he was my motivation for building my unit.

Noel

#29

Noel, get a sweeper!

See a bunch on my site, search “track sweeper” in the search box at the top of any page.

http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/rolling-stock-mods-aamp-tips-mainmenu-33/misc-rolling-stock-mainmenu-88/sweeper-car-mainmenu-217

You can combine it with your blower.

Regards, Greg

#30

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Sean McGillicuddy said:
Interesting duct work you used. So what happens @ " full power" Sean

I ended up with this duct work ,

(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/blower.jpg)

I thought it gave me more options as to wind placement. Sean

What? No duct tape? That’s unAmerican! :stuck_out_tongue: :lol: :slight_smile:

#31

Hi Greg,
I have the sweeper, I use it before I use the blower. Saves lots of time cleaning, just have to adjust the blower to a point where it blows everything off the decking to the ground. This could be overkill, as once I use the blower there isn’t anything near the tracks.

Noel

#32

On the other hand if you lived on the desert you wouldn’t have very many leaves, Just a stray snake or two! Or a coyote or mountain lion, etc.

#33

Hi Doug,
Then I might need to add another MOW car, equipped with a 12 gauge. Not sure if that would pass muster though.

Noel

#34

Ok so from order to reciept it was a little more than a week. I ordered two of the “speed controllers” from Virtualvillage.com and recieved a code for 10% off my next order. One of the intersting things I found was they has some neat “other” products like plastic figures and such.
I found a blower on Amazon pretty inexpensively. There were cheaper places thru Amazon but many did not have them in stock or wanted more for shipping.
My batteries for now will be older NiCad’s left over from my RC car days.
I’ve got a bunch of Bachman flats and such to use for the base car.

Now to find the workbench. That might take me a few rainy days.

Chas

#35

Chas — Please post pics of you’re version!!
I do need to update that pic!
Sean

#36

Chas,
Good luck, I’d love to see pix. I’m already trying to figure out how to expand the width of the pattern.

Noel

#37

Noel,

Are you referring to the round to square transition piece? If so, tell me the inside diameter and how long you want the round part to be, the inside high by inside wide of the rectangular and how long that should be, and how long in between the square and the round.
With that information I can provide you a with a template. I will also need to know what your printing capability is so I can make the pattern in pieces if necessary.

Bob C.

#38

Bob,
If Noel comes thru with sizes I’d appreciate a pattern too. I have access to a large format Inkjet (HP Designjet T1100) and AutoCAD and Solidworks but I’m not savy enough with the “sheet metal” capabilities of either program.

Chas

#39

Chas,

I also have AutoCAD and Inventor at home, and work with SolidWorks and SolidEdge at work. I will most likely post it up here available in any of those formats a fellow modeler might wish to have. I may also post a dxf for those with CNC capability or availability.

Bob C

#40

Bob,
You the man! I can barter for your efforts with some of our “products” from work. :wink:

Chas