Propulsion

Hey, I created a model of Mr. Freeze and its really good. My original plan was to create a LIM motor, but now that I know its next to impossible I need another method. I was thinking of having 6 or 7 3 volt batteries lined up and some wheels attached to the batteries by copper wirin, I guess kind of like a flywheel launch. Would this work and If it would could you give me some instructions and a better understanding of it? Also on my model I have a huge problem. Instead of making the track tubular I folded the track in half, now a bottom wheel can not function also because of the crossties. Any suggestions on how to keep the train on track. Thank you

Any help on this?? Please?? Rideman lol

How to keep the train on the track-

Upstop wheels

So, you plan on attaching wheels to a battery with a wire? Are you going to have a motor of some sort, or is the wire just going to spin the wheels?

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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!

I was hoping that the wheels would be powered by the battery

You need something that is going to convert the electricity from the battery into kinetic energy (a motor). Just attaching a car battery to my tires doesn't make my car go.

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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!

But

But

Ugh this computer is messing up. That is what I need is some improvements and somebody to tell me how to do it. Thanks BTW what is a upstop wheel.

With the knowledge that you seem to posess I would say just use a rubber band. Heck just fling the thing with your hand.

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Da Poodle

Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!

Well thanx MagnumForce for calling me stupid! I want a more profession launch or method than manually or with a rubberband.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you still have no idea what you're doing, do you? Do some research, or start paying attention a little more in science class.

Your idea of an electromagnet was plugging two wires into a wall and sticking them on a magnet. Now you've got the idea that a bunch of 3 volt batteries (3 volt batteries?) connected to wheels by a copper wire will magically make them spin.

I said it in your LIM thread and I'll say it again, for your own good. If you don't know what you're doing (which you don't if you're honest with yourself) don't mess with electricity at all. You're going to fry yourself, your equipment, or burn your house down.

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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!

I never called you stupid or even asserted that.

A simple understanding of electric motors will tell you what you need to know about motors and such.

You want a flywheel launch? Get an electric drill attach a piece of string or somethign similar to it by wrapping it around the bit and then attach the other end to a dolly that rolls along your track and place your train in front of your dolly.

Start up your drill which will pull the string and the dolly and in turn launch your model.

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Da Poodle

Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!

*** This post was edited by MagnumForce 2/3/2003 11:01:26 PM ***

Well how do you do it? that is the question, What is a upstop wheel and where can I find them.

Dude, that's a good idea! I'm going to have to try that with a K'nex screaming serpent sometime!

Upstop wheels are the wheels underneath the track on a coaster that keep the train from flying off the track. You can find them underneath just about any coaster.

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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!
*** This post was edited by Michael Darling 2/3/2003 10:59:51 PM ***

BTW take a couple of nights and read some of the articles on www.howstuffworks.com.

I guess my 3 years of Teachers Education finally came in handy.

EDIT: If you provided some pictures it might be a little easier to see what you are trying to ask us about.
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Da Poodle

Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!

*** This post was edited by MagnumForce 2/3/2003 11:03:02 PM ***

Well the pictures arent up to date. But everything is up and on the track. Let me find them. That is my problem, upstop wheels wont be able to operate because of the way I bent the track and the crossties are in the way.

Then I have no clue how you are going to keep the thing from falling off the track.

I think you would do very well by just trying to do that before you even think about propulsion.

Did you use railroad track or somehthing?

If thats the case you could put a wheel in the middle of the i section that woudl hold it to the rail.

I really don't know what to tell you though.

Try launching it with your hand and try to get the thign to stay on the track before you even think about a prpulsion system.

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Da Poodle

Coming in 2003-The Spawn Of Magnum!