servo powered critter

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I’ve been asking around seems no one has harnessed the servo so today, I spent a few hours removing all the gears and then chopping out all the circuits and replacing the gears and then drilling one of the gear shafts for an axle. It originally was going to be for a 7/8n18 critter, but I had trouble removing the wheels so I made it into a 7/8n2 critter. It is, mind you, only in the test stage. But the main thing is is that it works. It could power a small mining locomotive for 3-rail operation as well.

Why servos for motive power?

I have a couple lying around, that’s why! I don’t use them to power my R/C trains so I knew one day I’d have some use for them. Basically, a servo has sloooooooooooow speed and a lot of torque. These are qualities I’m after.

I was going to power the servo via my R/C setup and a signal, but I had trouble removing the circuitry to get to the evil plastic stop which stops the servo at a quarter turn. These are designed to control flaps and aeilerons and so only small movement is needed.

So instead, I found that one 1.2V battery is quite adequate. I’m posting some photos. First shows the servos with the R/C gear before they hit my chop shop. Next photo shows the servo chopped apart and in a quick mockup frame with DPDT switch for directional and neutral controls. (heck, it goes so slow, there’s no need for R/C!)

Lastly is the YouTube (should it ever load, may take some time). The epoxy was still wet so one of the wheels slipped about the axle and so therefore, it’s only 1 wheel drive (for now).

I needed the rocks for traction. The clip is very short as I know you’d get bored watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVil3SIMp50

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Way to go Dave! You help keep the forum interesting with clear out-of-the-box thinking.

If you knurl your axle for the wheel that is slipping on with a chisel it will help hold the wheel on and give something for the epoxy to bite onto.

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Thanks, Roy for tip, I’m going to use the 2nd servo for a 3 rail critter

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Except that the name is already taken Dave, you would be another Dr. Tinker! Great work and ideas. One thought, they make a knurling tool that they use for armature shafts and rotor shafts. They use it for holding on bearings. Anyway, with the amount of custom jobs that you do, it may be worth it for you to pick up a set.

I have a bunch of extra motors that they use in special pumps that we use in some surgical procedures. The devices are disposable, one use, but the nurses save them and I easily remove the motors. I have been toying with the idea of using these for animations, but would really like to make a track cleaner with some. I am inspired by your efforts.

Thanks,
Dennis