Search found 1957 matches

by Steggy
Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:05 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: 48v battery chargers
Replies: 15
Views: 1193

Re: 48v battery chargers

Bill Shields wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:33 pmWOW

Have you done any torque/current load calculations for the unencumbered loco on level(ish) track?

I suspect when running light, this loco is going to be a real hot rod.  :shock:
by Steggy
Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:04 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: 48v battery chargers
Replies: 15
Views: 1193

Re: 48v battery chargers

So set up to accomodate two 7” dia forklift traction motors... Do the traction motors have wound fields and if so, are they brought out on separate terminals?  If so, you could conceivably arrange the control circuits to produce transition for increased efficiency when motoring.  Also, if the field...
by Steggy
Mon Feb 19, 2024 5:38 pm
Forum: Lathes
Topic: New Knurling tool
Replies: 16
Views: 1287

Re: New Knurling tool

I became unhappy with the bump style knurling tool that came with the lathe. I searched the internet and found pictures of a "Hemingway" style scissor knurling tool. I liked it so much I designed my own from the pictures... Nice piece of work, and it doesn’t look too difficult to fabricate.
by Steggy
Sun Feb 18, 2024 9:48 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: 48v battery chargers
Replies: 15
Views: 1193

Re: 48v battery chargers

...but why would I want a 1000 w unit, versus a 350 watt unit? The bigger unit will, in theory, recharge the batteries more quickly. That said, lead-acid batteries can be damaged if the charging rate is excessive.  The electrolyte may start “boiling,” which will cause a loss of water from the elect...
by Steggy
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

One ran away in MA many years ago. Owner got off with it parked and prime mover idling. Being held by "hydraulic balance" of the spool in spring loaded neutral and no brakes. It took off and was headed around the track, nobody on board. Even at idle, was going way too fast for anyone to c...
by Steggy
Sun Feb 18, 2024 3:08 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

You can get stopped, but it is not the best way to get there...but better than nothing...and is what many of the designs being sold rely upon. I can see a potential lawsuit waiting for the builder who elects to not provide mechanical braking in his/her units.  All that would be needed would be a ru...
by Steggy
Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

Not sure how we would run out of fluid ? In the scenario described by Bill, the pump, being held stationary by the not-running prime mover, will look like a blockage—the pump’s inlet and outlet are sealed from each other—and the motor will “suck a hole” in the oil, possibly entraining air into the ...
by Steggy
Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:16 am
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

Properly implemented, the motor then becomes the pump, and by reversing the valve position restricts the flow out of the pump and becomes a brake....until you run out of fluid.. What do you mean by “properly implemented?”  It sounds as though you are talking about “plugging” the propulsion.  Doing ...
by Steggy
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:19 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

Geochurchi wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 5:38 pm ...none have brakes they rely on feathering the valve for control.

...which will fail if the prime mover quits running.  Not good if on a grade with a train full of passengers.  :evil:  That’s why I have brakes on my locomotive and its control (riding) car.
by Steggy
Fri Feb 16, 2024 5:10 pm
Forum: Buy, Sell, Trade, Wanted, Free!
Topic: SB chucks rotary table and misc.
Replies: 12
Views: 611

Re: SB chucks rotary table and misc.

SteveM wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 1:52 pmPeople who use social media think they are the customers.

They are the PRODUCT.

Exactly!
by Steggy
Fri Feb 16, 2024 5:05 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Energy Rotary spool valve
Replies: 21
Views: 881

Re: Energy Rotary spool valve

Assuming the pump is not operating and we are in the parked position, Valve is in the center position should , should we still be able to roll the locomotive ? The subject valve, as I earlier explained, is “open-center” when in neutral... ...the load itself will not be driven or restrained... In ot...
by Steggy
Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: 30 amp alternator
Replies: 6
Views: 491

Re: 30 amp alternator

If you are using a Delco-Remy as shown in @Steggy’s post, (looks like a 60A), you can get a regulator that requires low rpm to excite. Actually, it’s a 30 amp alternator, modified to reduce its maximum output to 25 amps, with the regulated, light-load voltage set to ~13.5 maximum.  The reduced-volt...