Great idea to follow along with. I've got the MDC/Roundhouse version that could be motorized as well, so I'll be following your lead here.

Looks interesting.

Looks like I can't see any pictures.......

Another cool project for HMMMMM, maybe a snowy day next winter, if you don't apply those rainy spring days to good use... So Bernd, just how long is that project list...

@ Louis,

Perhaps this will inspire you to motorize that MDC/Roundhouse kit. Of course pictures are a must.

@ k9wrangler,

Must be interesting enough to catch your attention.

@ mwbpequod,

You need to have your eyes open to see the pictures.

@ quartergauger48,

You know Ted that the warmer weather means it's time to fix the winter equipment. If you don't start early you'll never get "A Round Tuit". My project list is longer than some criminals wrap sheet. [:-smile_green]

Ok, this was a pretty simple job. A motor, a piece of stainless steel rod and some styrene for the mechanical part.



The four 1/8" squares are used to hold a piece of .080" thick styrene which has the motor mounted to it. In order to align the drive center of the motor gear box and the rotary blade I used the rod to line up the motor by eye. (calibrated to the nearest 10 thousands of an inch). A drop of ACC glue holds the motor so screws can be used for a better hold.



The motor permanently mounted to the backing plate.





And after cutting the rod to proper length the whole shebang is temporarily mounted to check for freeness of movement. And it's good.



Hopefully in the next post I'll show how to power the motor with a LiPo battery.

Until next time........

Bernd

Looking good and great ideas Bernd! I was thinking of motorizing my blades, and rotary snow plow with DCC. Some type of locomotive chassis for motor power, and some sort of motor DCC operated like you have there for the rotary blade. Looking forward to your continued progress.

Bernd, a great train show find and a great project to boot. :up:

Nice progress Bernd. Now keep it up'..Winter will be back before we know it.. :erm: . Some places it's still here'..

Louis Wrote:

Thanks Louis. DCC will work. I just don't use it because my layout will be straight DC or AC if I got with R/C. So get your parts together. Sounds it be great for a future "cold weather" project.

Bruce wrote:

Yes it was. I like the looks of a smaller rotary. Good for the backwoods operation I like.

Ted wrote:

Thanks Ted. Christmas is only 8 months away if you're counting.

Ok, now for the electrical part.

The major components for a magnetic on/off reed switch. One 3.7volt LiPo, one magnetic reed switch, one magnet.



Close up of the reed switch. Notice the gap on the red blades. This a "normally open" switch. It needs a magnet placed near it to close the contacts.



The magnet and reed switch will get glued to a piece of styrene for mounting inside the shell. The two 1/8" square pieces are glued together to form a piece 1/8" X 1/4". A 1/4" space is needed between the magnet and reed switch to make it function properly.



The assembled components.



Temporarily wired up to test the on/off capability. For those interested in how this will work go to this website for an explanation. http://www.explainthatstuff.com/howr...tcheswork.html



The whole assembly glued to the back of the motor board with reed switch near the roof.



Ready for a test run at that big snow drift.



Here's a video showing it turning using another magnet to turn on and off the motor: [url]https://youtu.be/wyQUCkm06yY[url]

And that's it for this project. One of the fastest I've done so far. I have plans for replacing some of the details and adding some other "amenities" later.

Bernd

Another cool project, Bernd.

You have a new assistant, announcer for your videos, hey?

Thanks Bill.

Yes I do. I've had her for several years now. A former friend, now ex-friend, and member of this forum did the video for me. He actually made a Guinness® beer commercial intro to my video's which I obviously can't play because of infringement. But this one I can since no commercial product is presented.

Bernd

Nice video, Bernd. That reed switch seems very reliable.

Bernd,

Gee whizz! Just as I was about to follow along its all over!

Works like a charm, I see. Very cool.

Mike

Thanks Brue.

The trick is the to get the distance right between the magnet and the reed switch. Once you determine that, it works like a charm. I used this way back when I was a member of the Kodak City Railroad club on a caboose to turn on/off blinking maker lights.

Bernd