I saw something a while back on a track blower built by a model railroader. Does anybody remember where this was? I don’t want to create a tornado, but would like to get rid of some of the helicopters, etc. that are between the rails and on the sides of the rails. Bill’s RailSweeper works really well preparing the track for running, but I would like to get rid of some more stuff.
Thanks.
Hi Noel -
I think it was Sean McGillicuddy in Massachusetts who has shown one on here built from a marine blower and some duct-work parts.
Jon Radder said:
Hi Noel - I think it was Sean McGillicuddy in Massachusetts who has shown one on here built from a marine blower and some duct-work parts.
Do you mean this puppy!
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/blower.jpg)
I found this @ that Bliss Marine store $20 +/_
(http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee259/smcgill_pics/Blower-1.jpg)
Dan Pierce added some black magic to it . The 3" duct work came from Home crappo. Sean
:)…that is a cool build Sean!
Thought about making one ever since you first posted it!
Hi Sean,
Thank you.
Can I pick your brain?
Are you using track power or battery? I would prefer to use a battery, but how big would it have to be? Do you know the current draw or rating on the blower. I would want a functional unit, probably wouldn’t make it look great like you did. You mentioned that Dan Pierce added some black magic to it, just exactly what did he do. It looks like you either made or used a 20’ car for the unit. I have a bunch of 40’ floors left over from conversions to the Aristo lowered 40’ unit. I am using Bill’s RailSweeper on one of these units, and will probably put KD’s on the one end this coming winter. I have the regular Aristo trucks, but have replace the wheels with steel wheels and ball bearings. I would probably do the same with this blower unit. Can you adjust the angle (it looks like you can), also, would this fan have a tendency to blow stones that are gravel (all of my track is free floating and held by crusher fines).?
Needless to say, I would like to try and duplicate your unit, so that cleaning 1900’ of track doesn’t take me all day. I run primarily battery, so twigs need to be removed, and Bill’s unit is very good at that, but I would also like to get rid of the tulip buds between the rails and around the ties.
Any suggestions or direction is greatly appreciated.
Thank you again.
Noel
Noel Arnold said:Look closly @ the second pic. I use track power but I see no problem with batt. As far as Dan, he added things to help with the track power. no I do not know what he did. The trucks are usa's. Good luck
Hi Sean, Thank you. Do you know the current draw or rating on the blower. Thank you again. Noel
OH ya it blows like the dickens so dirt/ballast gets rearanged!
Sean
Sean,
Again, thank you.
I am going to order the blower and then work on the final product. Will, in all probability, use a NiMH batter for power (as that is what I use with most of my R/C stuff). From the pix, it looks as if Dan used a CD circuit to keep the blower running at the proper voltage.
I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions. I will post pictures of my unit when I finish it.
Noel
Noel:
Here is a link to the blower manufacturer’s page:
Click on the 140 to see the specification or download the complete technical manual as a .pdf.
The model 140 blower is rated up to 13.6VDC, draws 2.9A, and has a 4A fuse. Also note that they have a model 140-24V that is rated up to 27.2VDC, drawing 1.7A.
Nice looking machines, but you will need a pretty hefty battery to power it. Of course track cleaning duty should be much shorter times than regular train operation, so probably okay. Might be an application for a gel cell.
Happy RRing,
Jerry