Solenoid motor loco

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 3:08 pm

Just a daft idea:

I want to try and build a loco with a solenoid motor. Preferably 2-"cylinder" or more. Not sure how much power such a beast will have. The aim is basically to have something that is electric but makes an engine(ish) sound. Small solenoids are very cheap on places like Aliexpress. Alternatively, winding a couple of coils is not much effort and using a neodymium magnet as the piston should add some "oomph" (a technical term for power).

A solenoid motor is very simple and a cam disc and micro switches can be used to set the timing. Other options are magnets and reed switches or magnet and hall sensor.

Since I'm far away from home and will remain so for the foreseeable future it will be some time before I can start to cobble parts together. All I can do for now is prepare the CAD drawings for laser cut chassis and engine frame parts. I will shoot for 7/8ths scale to avoid parts that are too fiddly.

Michael

Post by **-steves-** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 3:15 pm

Wow, what an awesome idea, I hope you keep us posted on how it goes

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:05 pm

Some inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZiPAJXnT6M

Post by **-steves-** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:17 pm

Busted Bricks:113641 wrote:Some inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZiPAJXnT6M

Absolutely fantastic

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:28 pm

There are lots of nice solenoid motors on Youtube, even some fancy V8 and V12 ones.

A 2-cylinder motor would not be self starting but should sound nice puttering around a continuous track.

Solenoid motors are simple beasts but there is the option to go hi-tech on the drive side of things with a hall sensor hooked up to an Arduino and some FETs to drive the coils. Then timing curves and variable "on" time could be applied. However I will keep it simple to start with.

Busted Bricks · Post by **Busted Bricks** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:31 pm

Sound is one reason for using a solenoid motor. Another reason is I think it would be cool to have a diesel loco with the engine covers removed so you could see the motor working.

Here is one that looks amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMJwLI5uIig

daveyrd11 · Post by **daveyrd11** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:57 pm

This sounds like an amazing idea, I'd love to see one built with a little engine put putting and a servo controlled clutch

Post by **ge_rik** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 11:36 pm

Brilliant idea. The crossover between steam and electric power

Rik

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 12:35 am

I was wondering if one of these would be a useful solenoid to start experimenting with.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121745440437? ... EBIDX%3AIT

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Solenoid motor loco

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