Just tested newly brought Merlin Midas

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:38 am

Does anyone know a good radio control system that would work well with my loco? I have seen people fit a crank the regulator on the we one dome and have a radio controlled regulator in the cab. I only need the regulator to be RC as the loco is slip eccentric

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 5:57 pm

Well, ive hit a bit of a problem, i noticed the gas valve was leaking lots so i unscrewed it and realized that the one i got of trackshack is different despite looking to be the right one on the photograph on the website. http://www.track-shack.com/acatalog/Acc ... e-Z13.html

The one below is the track shack one and the bottom one is the merlin type.

it is clear the track shack one does not match up with the picture on the website, any ideas where i can get a correct one?

cheers
Joe

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:06 pm

Have you tried it as in the photo it just looks like the new valve has a longer thread so may well still fit.

There are several different types of Ronson valves, Roundhouse and Accucraft use different fittings.

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:07 pm

It should still fit fine. I seem to remember the design of the valve was changed a little while back so the old type might not be avaliable any more.

rebelego · Post by **rebelego** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 10:22 am

As mentioned the Accucraft and Roundhouse valves have different threads. Accucraft use M5 x 0.5 thread and Roundhouse M4.5 x 0.5. I guess you have got M5 from Track Shack and should have the M4.5, but I'm just guessing as it is impossible to compare the valves on your photos without having them next to each other on the same photo.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Tue Feb 24, 2015 3:24 pm

Yeah it must be the 4.5 but it doesn't matter as it will fit my other loco, I will order one tonight , thanks for advice everyone

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 4:12 pm

Well after fitting a 4.5mm gas valve from chuffed 2 bits it now doesn't leak apart form occasionally in certain positions on the gas control nob and the loco steamed well (once id re positioned the gas jet correctly), one thing i noticed is occasionally the burner would seem to stutter a little, is this normal?
cheers
Joe

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:56 pm

Heres a short video of my merlin on bricks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBKP1LjUQzA (you will notice i havent secured the cab on etierly yet in case any other problems arose) i just need to adjust the safety valve a little as i think it blows of at 20psi when it shoud be 30 (cant be sure because the pressure gauge needs re setting back to zero) still occasionally have the spluttering burner problem when it seems to be sounding good and then suddenly it goes much quieter then louder again-is this normal?
cheers
Joe

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:44 am

You can't "reset the pressure gauge to zero" - you need a new one!

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:19 am

Ah right ,stupid me, I think I've got a spare somewhere

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:58 pm

Does anyone know of anyone who would fit radio control to my engine and how much it would roughly cost? i think something like on big jims loco would do the trick: http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/arch ... _8085.html

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:30 pm

Have a look around the forum as there are a few people who will do this for you. I don't know anyone personally whom I could recommend. The problem is that my Maestro was designed to be RC from new. I don't think you will find parts to adapt it, unless you are lucky.
All the bits could be made to control the regulator, but due to the valve gear you couldn't RC the direction.
The regulator on mine is about 1/4 turn off to fully open. Yours as it is designed for hand control may be more course, this could make RC control even more of a challenge.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:59 pm

Ok thanks Jim, yeah i just want the Regulator RC really, from my experience even though you can turn it up more about half a turn should be ample as long as you have plenty of steam. I think a hole would need to be added tot he cab for the rod to go through and a crank on the regulator

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:24 pm

When I get up the shed again I will get a picture of how the linkage works as it is rather clever and a bit 'Heath Robinson'

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:17 pm

Thanks Jim

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:11 pm

Going back in time a bit to something which Doug said , just checking would Bio Strip be suitable to remove the paint from my locos body? as it is a little unclear on the internet
cheers
Joe

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Thu May 28, 2015 3:48 pm

Well after a repaint and new pressure gauge fitted thanks to Tony at Rhos Helyg locomotive works "Helen" is looking and running fine she has just completed her loaded test train (didn't have chance to take a pic so heres one of her dead) It would be nice to see pics of anyone elses merlins? im sure there's a few i haven't seen on this forum

cheers
Joe

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Thu May 28, 2015 4:44 pm

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu May 28, 2015 9:59 pm

That does look suitably splendid there Joe.

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Just tested newly brought Merlin Midas

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