The Steamboating Forum

Say Paul -now that you have figured how to load pics, how about showing the different positions so I can figure just how that works. Neat and tidy and very interesting!! Den

The whole thing is mounted over the prop shaft. The thrust bearing is behind the plywood bulkhead. The large pulley for the electric motor drive and also the one on the right connected to the steam engine have a central bearing allowing them to freewheel on the shaft. The 2 smaller cast iron "pulleys" are keyed to the prop shaft. The central piece has 3 3/4 inch SS rods. It is free to move fore and aft through the fixed pulleys. Move forward and steam engine drives the prop shaft, mid position both steam engine and electric motor keyed in, full aft just electric motor leaving the steam engine in "neutral" for warming through. The picture below shows electric drive mode. The previous photo shows steamer- you have to look carefully but you can just see that the SS rods have withdrawn from the electric pulley.

Hi Paul,

That is a neat set up ! How do you get the pins to align when you want to use the clutch do you have to spin the "free-wheeling" flywheels by hand to get thigs to match up.

jon

I notice that there is a lot of slack in the toothed belt, and wondered why? This is not considered good practice it the automotive industry, normally toothed belts are bow sting tight to stop any snatch, which can strip the teeth off in short order.

I realise that rotational speeds here are considerably lower but something catching in the prop could snatch very sharply. Would the addition of an idler tensioning wheel not be an advantage? It could easily run on the back of the belt (common practice).

The SS rods insert into dryslide type bushings pressed into the pulleys. They have been left a little proud and machined away on one side. To engage the rods are pressed against the pulley and the motor slowly turned (the correct way) and they engage. The electric motor turns easily so no difficulty there.

With regard to the slack belt, picture was taken before tightening. The motor pivots around one of its mounting bolts to tighten the belt.

preaton wrote: With regard to the slack belt, picture was taken before tightening. The motor pivots around one of its mounting bolts to tighten the belt.

Ok, I see! Thanks.

My boat is the one that Bart mentioned with the monotube and clutch. It is I believe what many people would call a "dog" clutch. I will see if I have any pictures, as the boat is in winter storage now...

Pictures.. Though not very detailed on the clutch side of things... Clutch is shewn in the disengaged position:

87gn@tahoe wrote:My boat is the one that Bart mentioned with the monotube and clutch. It is I believe what many people would call a "dog" clutch. I will see if I have any pictures, as the boat is in winter storage now...

Dog clutches:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_clutch

You have a multiplate clutch, I think.

- Bart

Me thinks you're correct.. If I could find the doggone drawings......