I'm working on designing a live load system for an N scale T Trak module. I'm doing a coal tipple and am trying to think of how I'd actually make this work like the prototype. So far what I have is this:
Have two conveyors above the loading shutes. Make these long enough so they sit underneath the main belt, but at enough of an angle to let the coal slide down into the cars. The Main belt would be powered by some kind of motor and a battery pack with an on/off switch. I'd need to build a container for the coal to sit in, until the power is active and loading.
I'd need to get styrene to build the sides, and I've still yet to figure out what to use for the moving parts.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Jimmy_BraumI'd need to get styrene to build the sides, and I've still yet to figure out what to use for the moving parts.
I would set up some experimental prototypes, Jimmy.
An actual moving belt in N scale might be a real challenge, especially trying to keep "coal" out of the works.
I would look at trying a type of vibratory feeder. We used to use these at my former job and they can move a great deal of material, even uphill.
Imagine a trough, like a big straw slit in half. Fill this with material then lightly tap it. Multiply those taps by, like ten thousand a second, or so, and your material will move and appear to be flowing as if on a conveyor.
Good luck, Ed
So, going with that principle, I'd just need to figure out a way to miniturize the function down to N scale. Apparently it just involves finding a vibrating motor.
Jimmy_Braum Apparently it just involves finding a vibrating motor.
Apparently it just involves finding a vibrating motor.
If you are unfortunate to find only smooth running motors, you can add an un-balanced flywheel. Easily made by drilling a hole in the side of the flywheel.
Ed
Do you happen to have an old cell phone lying around? Their vibrating motors are tiny and plenty powerful. Maybe even too powerful. You might have to figure out how to tone the vibrations down or you could have coal flying all over the place.
Dave
Edit: Lots of vibrating motors on eBay.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
C&O fan (Terry in Texas) made an operating coaling tower in 2015. He used a slow speed motor to drive a stretched out ballpoint pen spring and a soda straw to build an auger. I put a link to his thread below but unfortunately his video and pictures are no longer available. Maybe you could ask him to re-post.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/243563/2715443.aspx#2715443
I don't know if the same thing would work in N scale. The 'coal' might have to be a bit larger than scale for the auger to be able to grab it enough to push it.
Maybe all you would need is the vibrator and a small enough outlet hole in the hopper to control the volume coming on to the conveyor. I think the hopper would benefit from a sloped bottom too.
Sounds like a neat challenge Jimmy. Go for it!
There's a youtube video of a guy trying to make an old Ertl conveyor and an auger work in HO. He wasn't having much luck.
The motor wouldn't exactly have to be mounted directly on your conveyor, you could mount something below the roadbed and transmit the vibrating force through a length of piano wire. Mount the vibrating motor on O rings or silicone mounts to minimize noise transmission.
One day I was looking at the working end of a cordless tooth brush. The replaceable heads snap into the "motor" which actuallt has an oscillating motion.
This oscillation is transmitted to the brush head to make the bristles swish back and forth. You could adapt the brush attachment using a longer "shaft" and put a little bend in the end of the wire to actuate the motion of the conveyor.
You will get better movement of the material if you can guide the conveyor to "vibrate" in a direction lateral to the travel of the material.
trough by Edmund, on Flickr
We had a "spiral elevator" where I worked where tungsten ore actually traveled uphill into the opening of a ball mill. It looked like trout swimming upstream. The rythmic oscillation caused the ore to "jump" up the ramp and fall into the hopper.
Have Fun, Ed
I've been working on animating a quarry operation. I have a working auger with a holding bin attached. I've been working on a working conveyor but it has been a slow process getting parts together. I'm working in HO. Here's a link to my web page that might help out.
http://www.kingstonemodelworks.com/QSL-1.html
Bernd
New York, Vermont & Northern Rwy. - Route of the Black Diamonds
protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com
Wow Bernd, so you made the auger with a plastic rod and your lath? That is cool.
What size rod did you use, and what is the finished diameter of the auger?
Mike.
My You Tube
Pretty neat Bernd!
Would you want me to connect you with someone nationally known for animating HO scale industries? Bill Day was my 1st train mentor and we worked diligently on a working conveyor system for a Walthers Coal tipple. If so, pls send me a PM.
Our conveyor belt system was quite effective. I got felt to mimic a conveyor belt and atatched half-circle Stryene rods as buckets. For the wheels, I bought thin wood rods and cut them (similar to what is used for thread). You can find that and the felt at a craft store.
mbinsewi Wow Bernd, so you made the auger with a plastic rod and your lath? That is cool. What size rod did you use, and what is the finished diameter of the auger? Mike.
Yes I did. The auger is made from an 5/8" dia. black acetal rod. The lathe was set at 4 threads per inch. The diameter stayed at 5/8". It was quite a strain on the lathe drive system. I've been thinking of using a auger drill made for wood as a master. Make a rubber mold and try casting an auger from resin.
I have more to add to the that page of the web site. I have the beginings of a 12" long conveyor. Trying to figure out a drive system for the belt. I have a micro motor with gearing, it's just trying to figure out how to hook it all together.
If you follow this link it'll take you to "NickelForever" Flickr page. About half way down are some video's showing their conveyors working.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91867668@N07/page2
hon30critter Pretty neat Bernd! Dave
Thanks Dave. It's taken me several years to figure all that out. The biggest help was Mario & Bice who have built the Consolidated Nickel Mines Co. module. If it hadn't been for Mario I would have never found a belting material. Progress on this project is at a snails pace since I've got two other major projects I'm working on also. It'll get done. I'll post any up dates as they happen.
Thanks Bernd, I went back and followed the link to the nickel mine modular. Nothing short of fantastic work!
Can't wait to see your progress on the conveyor belt. The seam tape from Jo-Ann fabrics looks like a perfect choice.
I sent you an PM. Not sure if you'll get it or not. In case you don't contact me at "protolancer(at)kingstonemodelworks(dot)com"
Thanks Bernd, reply sent.
mbinsewi Thanks Bernd, reply sent. Mike.
Got it.