Topaz

LiveSteamFreak
LiveSteamFreak
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Published 2024-05-05
I have added two telemetry sensors to my Marten, Howes & Baylis Steam Launch ‘Topaz’. Whilst the speed sensor was fitted more to see what speed the Cheddar Gemini can run at, the boiler temperature sensor can be used indirectly as a pressure sensor as temperature and pressure almost go hand in hand in the useful boiler pressure range. 120°C corresponds to 2 bar, 130°C slightly below 3 bar, 140°C slightly below 4 bar and so on.

An initial test with the temperature sensor looped around the steam dome was not successful. The displayed temperature was much too low, far from the display of an IR thermometer. Therefore, for the second test, a 1.2 inch long plug with a 1/10 inch blind hole was used. The plug is screwed into an excess 2BA threaded bush at the end of the sight glass. The sensor is now actually located inside the boiler and provides very accurate readings.

Finally, I have also started to use the transmission curves between the controller and servo movement for the linearisation of the control valve. Ideally, the speed in the water is 0 at the lower end of the control stick, 50% of the maximum speed in the centre and full speed when the control stick is furthest forward.

Is all this a ‘must have’? For heaven's sake, no, but we all exaggerate from time to time, don't we? If we were always aiming for the very simplest, then we wouldn't be allowed to build steamboats at all, only sailing boats... Enjoy our hobby!
All Comments (2)
  • @Calin1000
    Hello, very nice set up. What model telemetry sensors are you using?