Derek's Live Diesel

Hi all.
I Have been building this live diesel for about two years now, (Only just found this forum a few days ago) and who did I find on here but Carl who was my origional insperation with his Monster diesel.
I am now going to try and put my story here so far once I have worked out how to use this forum as this is the first time for me on any forum (I live a sheltered life).

My first challenge was to find a donor engine that I could start easilly so i opted for the Traxxas Ez start system.

Hi Derek, nice to see another person who has in interest in this kind of power. This forum must have more members with diesel models then anywhere else in the world

Have you got a completed locomotive or is it still in the building process?

Anton

antonr91 wrote:

This forum must have more members with diesel models then anywhere else in the world

It is certainly getting that way. I counted 12 projects/locomotives existant or in the process of.

What is this Traxxas ez start thing then Derek? New to me.

Looks from the pic like a starter motor pre-installed.
Have you tried it yet?

Hi Anton.
Yes its still in the building stages at the moment. I must admit i have not done anything for the last few months untill I found this forum after finding your project on Google, now this has got me all fired up again.
I will try and upload some more pictures tomorow and all my pitfalls including broken drive couplings between engine and generator.
I to also used the same MFA motor as Carl for the generator.
I tried a flexable coupling from a company called ruland (sorry cannot post the link for 7 days) but this snapped after the first short run due to the momentum of the generator still spinning after the nitro engine stalled.
I am basing my loco on aclass 25 diesel.

My story for my line is they purchassed a cheap standard gauge diesel loco and converted it to narrow gauge bogies.
Its good to find others interested in the same project's.


The Ez start system is a starter motor permantly connected to the back of the engine, this was still strong enough to start the engine even with the large MFA motor connected.

Ahh, i see, yes i would love to see some photos of it

I dont know whether youve seen any videos of my loco but if not here it is.



The reason why i say this is that you can very easily use the MFA to start your nitro engine, and then it means you dont have to have any of that fancy stuff and more to the point youl have more room on the loco (which i definitely need).

If you are using a separate starter motor there is no real need for the DC torpedo motor as such.

Hae you considered a much smaller in size BLDC 3 phase motor as Troy and I have used recently?

These are very efficient at producing electricity and much less torque/load.

dereks wrote:

I am basing my loco on aclass 25 diesel.
.

You could do with one of these then

I was trying to thinking who else had made the class 25 on this forum, :p as i remember asking you questions about the dimensions of the loco as i used them when making the Warship. Did you rebuild it by the way Troy?

Carl Hibbs wrote:

If you are using a separate starter motor there is no real need for the DC torpedo motor as such.

Hae you considered a much smaller in size BLDC 3 phase motor as Troy and I have used recently?

These are very efficient at producing electricity and much less torque/load.

Hi Carl.
Have you got some more information regarding the BLDC 3 phase motor as this would be much better and less load on the coupling when spinning at high revs.
the reason I went for the built in starter is I am able to start the nitro engine on only 7.2 volts meaning I am able to build in the batteries for this making it self sufficient.
Thanks

[quote="Sparkeswood"]

dereks wrote:

I am basing my loco on aclass 25 diesel.
.

Very nice, my bodyshell is no way this good.
i will upload some pics of how far I have got tonight.

antonr91 wrote:

Ahh, i see, yes i would love to see some photos of it

I dont know whether youve seen any videos of my loco but if not here it is.

The reason why i say this is that you can very easily use the MFA to start your nitro engine, and then it means you dont have to have any of that fancy stuff and more to the point youl have more room on the loco (which i definitely need).

Very nice. I have not got this far yet only running on a test bench.
I will upload some pics tonight.

Hello Dereks

I've ordered a Traxxas last week the one with the starter.

I will not have the rest of the parts before xmas.


I waiting to see your result on the bench test with it.
I've ordered as well the quick start box.


And yes I am planning to built one, must be contagious Carl....

That's 13 live, live diesel projects then!

Looks like it is catching Laurent.

Imagine the day when they're all running.


I am still looking at the forum to see how we can hive off the diesel stuff to another section.

Hi All.
So here goes, the all important pictures. This is the first item I have ever scratch built.


Here is where I started soft soldered a basic chassis.

I then measured a sheet of aluminium which would have the nitro and generator attached to it eventually. This was made to be removable when finished.

I wanted to make the bodywork bolt on in sheets a little like the real thing so I soldered up a framework.

Next the nitro and generator are bolted onto the removable tray. Also added cooling fan at this stage.

I wanted to make my own air box as well so used some old tin. Also mounted the standard exaust with an extra piece added so I could mount it above.

I mounted a pair of Aristocraft bogies.

I made a mock-up of the body just to see what it looked like out of cardboard.

Then cut them out of 2mm ply and glued together.

These where made to just slot on and off and just 4 small brass screws when in place making them easily removable when needed.

Sides where made up the same way and just bolt on and off.

Receiver, radio batteries, tank and switches are mounted on one end.

Traxxas Ez start circuit board was removed from its plastic casing and mounted inside.
I mounted the 7.2 volt pack in another box mounted underneath.

This is now how far I have got with roof half started.

Have also got a volt meter permanently connected and wireless camera in cab front.

I still have lots of work to do including the coupling which broke and the body to finish but hope to get it running very soon with some videos.
Below is the modified coupling.

A bit of a dark horse.... this.

An impressive surprise too. I had no idea that you had got this far and I'm waiting with impatience to see how it runs.

thanks.
wasn't sure if I over did it with too many pics as ive not done forums before.
BTW where did you get your BLDC 3 phase motor from?

Looks great, some very good attention to detail and i am impressed with the body, far better then anything i have managed to make so far.

Do you have a railway to use it on?

Excellent pics,

like the idea of the air box with a grill in the body!

I have a small layout in my back garden which is a work in progress still
I have also had a go at casting my own bridge - pics to follow

Well not trying to sound to forward and rude, so forgive me if i do, but i am looking for a railway to come and run 'Shunt' on, as it is very difficult to use it on my tinplate layout. The videos below shows some of the difficulties i am facing:





I know certain parts of middlesex are fairly close to where i live, so if you ever fancied having another diesel trundling round your layout, then please let me know

Hi antonr91
I'm running 45mm at the moment - is yours 45mm or 32mm?

You're more than welcome to come round anytime though

Mine runs on 32mm and 45mm as it has adjustable wheels.

Thank you very much for the offer , i will be sure to take you up on that

dereks wrote:

thanks.

BTW where did you get your BLDC 3 phase motor from?

Here:

RC Timer

How far is this interesting project now? Finished? Close to?

Hi.
Sorry I've not been on here for a while but I am now getting back into this prodject after it has been sitting on the shelf for over a year but I now plan to finnish this off.
I think the main problem was I made it too complicated so I am now going to simplify it.
Will kep you posted.