Nick, would a PM Research size dynamo be close in scale for this plant, or too small?
I think it would look good if you put a larger generator on there and had the small dynamo as an "exciter" (display only, non-functioning exciter)
I think it would look good if you put a larger generator on there and had the small dynamo as an "exciter" (display only, non-functioning exciter)
Not to wander too far off topic but the memories of old banks of “‘exciters” and generators/motors strikes a distant cord. That combination oft had a nearby black slate motor control panel with knobs and dials and perhaps a large knife switch too. Always had a globe light on top of the panel to show if the unit was
‘On’.
Similar but in no way exact to this generic panel with a nearby old chair ——
I will be watching with interest.
I feel your pain and frustration.
i have been there done that as you know
I will be interested in your procedure and thinking .
Hopefully i will learn something.
Cheers
Dennis
Hi Jasper,
Thank you for sharing your real world information, this for me, was very useful and interesting.
Many thanks
Ade
Looking forward to seeing this one running great one day 
I do like that Stuart dynamo, have one myself, but it looks far too small on this setup... Not sure the cast Stuart dynamo would like right either... needs something bigger.
I am searching for a bigger dynamo (not for this project) and so far have found nothing, if anyone has any tips i would be grateful to hear.
The little stuart dynamo is too small for anything i have, if anyone here would like it please PM me and i will send it for the cost of postage.
Kind regards
Ade
I have to confess i took the easy road and ordered a pre machined cylinder and end caps and a new unmachined base from Stuart Models. I feel the shame of tasking the easy road and throwing money at the project instead of using skill and determination but i could not think of a simple way to fix all those out of line holes properly. As they are so close to where the proper holes should be any 'filler' material that was softer than the casting would cause the drill to follow the line of least resistance and i would have a worse mess
I also ordered some thick aluminium sheet and oak for the base and side panels, still haven't really decided how to do the base yet, maybe a full sized base and a raised deck surrounding the engine?
Stuart Models have already dispatched the drawings, screws and first lot of parts, how quick is that, awesome!
Thanks for following
Ade
Here's a photo of some generators with exciters. (Photo taken in 1911, these are still in use today, just no good pictures)
Spot on Larry!
Many thanks
Ade
Hello Ade,
Looks like you've got another interesting project on your hands with this one.
Regarding your search for a larger dynamo may i suggest the option which i
have used on my Tom Senior,it's a set of three aluminium castings from Tony Green
Steam Models in Lincoln into which i have slid a permanent magnet motor, it generates
around 6 volts when running.
I do have a spare set of these castings if your interested in a straight swap for the Stuart
dynamo, pm me if you fancy it.
Regards Trevor (eec1910) [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Hi Ade,
Well i made a mess of my last post,the dynamo on the Tom Senior is a motor casing not the TGSM castings,
those are on the dynamo with my Stuart Sandhurst ,photos below ,the offer of the swap still stands if your interested.
Cheers Trevor. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Hi Trevor,
Nice picture of the Senior
The Dynamo is on its way to Austrailia.
Kind regards
Ade
Just a short update, I kinda had it in my head to make the base on two levels so the engine was higher than the boiler, but when i saw the generators from the link Larry sent, it got me thinking about adding a generator, this would mean the base will have to be on one level or there would not be room. I didn't have the space (or the £s) for the super cool old style generator so had to compromise a little, but hope it will look the part when done.
Progress so far, i got two sheets of 6mm thick aluminium for the top and bottom of the base and some oak strip for the sides. Did some slap dash work using the mill as a router table to recess the wood so the plate would sit just lower than the edge of the wood to allow for tiles later.
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As for the Victoria engine, unlike the Stuart Beam engine, it is so messed up that i think i will start over and sell the old engine for spares or repairs.
Ade