This slag pit gantry crane has been on my build list for ten long years. Started recently building a 1:87 model of a 1960's R.P Anderson design. Found it on google patents. US Patent number 3,111,228 .
I'd like to make at least the trolley r/c controlled . Granted I know next to nothing about r/c.
What type of mini motors are small enough for such a build ? I'd like just the cable winches to work.
I might have bitten off more than I can chew in regards to r/c stuff. The crane is half built already. Time is coming to make decision on whether to r/c or not.
The space for winch motors and assorted mechanisms will be about 4"X 8" . This is guessing really. I haven't built the trolley yet. Still working on superstructure. Probably way way smaller space to work with.
In any case it will tower over most everything else.
Who has R/C knowledge to share ?
Patrick
Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb
Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.
Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.
dragonriversteelWho has R/C knowledge to share ?
This might be of some help. A few years ago I animated an Atheran 200 ton crane using radio controll. The page is picture intensive and will take a while to load. The installation of the R/C is near the end.
http://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/crane.html
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
RR_Mel The drive RPM will probably be the toughest thing. There are several sellers on eBay selling robot motors and gears. The only thing I can think of that might work is a mini servo like the SG90. There is mod info on YouTube to make them 360° and run as a motor. You could either drive it with an Arduino or a servo tester. I did a mod to a SG90 and it works pretty good and you can adjust the speed down to almost nothing. I was going to use it to power my Mabry Mill water wheel but I found a mini 12 volt 8 RPM gear motor and I can adjust the speed easily with the voltage. EDIT: You can also use a stepper motor with an Arduino which would probably work much better than a servo. You can build a program that would run the crane back and fourth as well as up and down by pushing buttons. Mel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951 My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thank you Mel !
Researching SG90 servo motors as we speak. Stumbled across a turtoral on continuous rotation on these very servos. Might be doable .
I have no electronic technical background . Totally new territory.
Worst case scenario . It burst into flames. OK maybe not that bad but I have the worst luck with anything electrical.
Thanks again Mel.
Would you mind me bugging you via PM if I can't figure something out ?
Bernd dragonriversteel Who has R/C knowledge to share ? This might be of some help. A few years ago I animated an Atheran 200 ton crane using radio controll. The page is picture intensive and will take a while to load. The installation of the R/C is near the end. http://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/crane.html Bernd
dragonriversteel Who has R/C knowledge to share ?
Wow ! Stunning work Bernd .
God, I love this hobby. Only in this hobby are there so many talented/skilled people willing to lend a hand. Thank you Bernd.
Your build will most certainly help get the ball rolling.
Wow just wow.
Couple of years ago I was wondering if any electro-mechanical geniuses had done such a thing. Answer. Yup.
Fantastic job on that Athearn crane.
Bernd A few years ago I animated an Atheran 200 ton crane using radio controll.
Wow Bernd, THAT is one heck of a build! Is it all finished now? Love to see some pictures of the detailed and finished crane and tender.
Mike.
My You Tube
dragonriversteel Wow ! Stunning work Bernd . God, I love this hobby. Only in this hobby are there so many talented/skilled people willing to lend a hand. Thank you Bernd. Your build will most certainly help get the ball rolling. Wow just wow. Couple of years ago I was wondering if any electro-mechanical geniuses had done such a thing. Answer. Yup. Fantastic job on that Athearn crane. Patrick
Thanks Patrick. Your kind words are much appreciated.
I took a look at when this project started. It was back in 2012, almost six years ago. I got the inspiration from Geoff Bunza. He wrote an article in a compeditors e-zine. He used DCC to control it. One problem with DCC in such a build is that you can only run one motor at a time. That's what made me experiment with R/C. At that time I was also looking at controlling engines via R/C. I came across a Britt that had developed the radio module used in the crane. Having a background in machine shop work and self taught electronics made this a fun project.
If you wish to contact me via e-mail I can be reached at protolancer (at) kingstonemodelworks (dot) com. I'll try and help all I can.
Regards,
Can you use the servos to controls direction/voltage to a gear head DC motor?
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
mbinsewiBernd A few years ago I animated an Atheran 200 ton crane using radio controll. Mike.
A few years ago I animated an Atheran 200 ton crane using radio controll.
Thanks for the kind words Mike. Much appreciated.
Unforutnatley no. Once it was working I was satisfied with the project and never got around to finishing it. That's one of my faults. I get projects working and never finish up on the details. Right now I've got three projects going, starting on a layout with a HOn30 quarry line, a build challenge on another forum assembling an old kit of the Ramsey, NJ station and remotoring, R/Cing & battery powering an Atheran F7 A-B-A set, the old Blue Box kind. So hopefuly one of these days I'll get back and finish the crane. All I can say is stop by once in a great while and check the web site for any updates. I update in the "What's New" page if I make any changes to the web site.
SeeYou190 Can you use the servos to controls direction/voltage to a gear head DC motor? -Kevin
I don't quite understand your question. I'll take a guess at what you are asking. If you mean can you use the transmitter to control the servo motors? Yes. Take a look at David Theunissen web site. http://www.deltang.co.uk/about.htm
There's much information there to digest. It might answer some of your questions.
By powered trolley I assume you mean something like this little motor pulling slag cars? I would love to see one of those in HO scale myself, but it is going to be one heck of a scratchbuilding project to fit all the components inside that space. However if you can do build it, and are willing to share how; it would be an invaluable example for other modelers intersested in old smelter or steel mill operations.
(Photo sourced from the Library of Congress archives: https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.ut0100.photos/?sp=12)
Or is the trolley a component of the crane itself? In that case I feel a little silly for having to ask.
I believe Patrick is talking about this crane.
http://www.google.com.na/patents/US3111228
Bernd I believe Patrick is talking about this crane. http://www.google.com.na/patents/US3111228 Bernd
Wow, that thing looks like a beast!
Thank you Bernd .
When fully built it will measure 1' wide by 2' long approximately . Built from "for rent" signs from Lowe's. Just enough to fit across on my humble layout.
Working on the J hooks,pulley sheeves and spreader bar. Cut the main span beams this morning. Now it's waiting game for parts. Like handrails,stairs etc.
So far so good. We'll see how it turns out. Still kinda nervous about making this crane work.
I buil the N scale hullet ore unloader from the description and drawings in the October 1998 RMC article. The trolly moves forward and backwards. the unloader arm moves up and down and the bucket opens and closes. Rides on a pair of code 55 rails. Took me three months to build. It could be fully powered if I really wanted too. It is a huge beast 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. The crane you are asking about is an easy project compared the the hullet.