Work Tug Drive Line Solutions

[Sakura Maru]

When I'm not building my recovery vessel, I'm tinkering with my Harbor Work Tug figuring out a better drive line for it. I think I've finally got it. Installed here on the uprated 380 motor is a Watt Age gear box unit that was languishing in the LHS ($13.00) It has metal gears, but MPI has one with nylon/metal hub for $22.00.

This is joined to a Traxxas u-joint for the Villain EX speed boat, probably the cheapest u-joint for boats on the planet for just $3.00, but well made. It's 4mm and connects to the original prop shaft quite nicely.

It's all dry fitted in the photos, but I'll have to adjust the height in the modified motor mount and tie strap it in place. It runs well, aside from the gear noise, and will provide lots of torque for the stock propeller

[toesup]

When I'm not building my recovery vessel, I'm tinkering with my Harbor Work Tug figuring out a better drive line for it.

It runs well, aside from the gear noise, and will provide lots of torque for the stock propeller

Maybe the way to eliminate the gear noise is a pair of 'gears' and a toothed drive belt from Stock Drive Products https://sdp-si.com/eStore/

.. although the planetry gearbox does get the motor low in the hull. :)

[Kmot]

Nylon gears are much quieter than metal gears.

[green-boat]

Metal pinion with a nylon spur gear.

That way if you hit anything the nylon gear should break first, in a perfect world :rolleyes:

[Sakura Maru]

Maybe the way to eliminate the gear noise is a pair of 'gears' and a toothed drive belt from Stock Drive Products https://sdp-si.com/eStore/

.. although the planetry gearbox does get the motor low in the hull. :)

I'd like to hear from someone who actually crafted a gearbox with their stuff. There's mountains of specs to wade through to get the right belts and drive wheels. And I'm not worried about the noise persay, this is but a technology mule.

[green-boat]

Something like this.

[Sakura Maru]

Hey, now that's SEXY!! Those are 3mm shafts on those motors' right? Very ingenious mounting them inline too! Where'd the shaft mounts come from?

[toesup]

I'd like to hear from someone who actually crafted a gearbox with their stuff.

Like this..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1211732

This...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1411701

.. and this?...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1696030

[Sakura Maru]

Oh my stars and garters!!! :eek: Anyone do anything with 380/400s??

[green-boat]

Hey, now that's SEXY!! Those are 3mm shafts on those motors' right? Very ingenious mounting them inline too! Where'd the shaft mounts come from?
Thanks,
The motor shafts are 4mm and the shafts are 3/16" SS. I got the shafts from the LHS who got them from Dumas.

[reddog69]

Toesup, I really like the setups you have with the belt drives. Could I ask you the part numbers from SDP? I can see the numbers on the belts but these old eyes dont focus as well as they used to. Im trying to get some ideas of the cost as I may need to order a few different sizes. Also how quiet do the run? Thanks, Redd.

[toesup]

Could I ask you the part numbers from SDP?. Im trying to get some ideas of the cost as I may need to order a few different sizes.


Ok...

I started with Don Brown's basic 2:1 setup he described..
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7067798&postcount=580

I will attempt a 'step by step' way to do the ordering... :o

I open two windows at SDP's website..
One for the pulleys (from the drop down menu on the side bar) > 'Metal Timing Pulleys'.
The other 'Belts and cables' > 'Timing belts'.

As you chose the belt and pulleys, the number of options / parts decrease making the ordering easier... ;)

On the 'belt' window, go for 'single sided'.
'Pitch' > '.080 (MXL)'
Also go for '1/4" from the 'belt width' drop down.
'Tension Member' drop down > 'Kevlar'

Go to the 'Pulley' window.
'Belt width' > '1/4'
'Flange and hub' > '2 flanges with 'hub'
'Bore size' depends on your motor / shaft size... (although i made up some "top hat" adapters to fit the gears to the motor shaft).

You now have to decide the 'Number of grooves' to give you the ratio you require, one for the motor and one for the shaft.... That should reduce the number of parts available to only a couple.. ;)

I draw out the circles of the two dia's to make sure they will not clash with the belt length i decide on.

It takes some trial and error between the two windows to get the two (three) items to work together.

Also how quiet do the run?

There is virtually no noise with these belts, they are almost silent.. and i have yet to replace a belt (i bought two just in case) ;)

[reddog69]

Thanks!! makes it somewhat easier. Did a search and found a robotics supplier that also sells these sets. A bit less complicated than thd SDP site. Thanks much! Redd. :D

[Shaun Hendricks]

If you can build a 'cover' to go around the gears, you can put a decent amount of grease in them and they will be very quiet. I had problems with my stampede's gear train making a racket. I sealed it off a packed it with Slick 50's One Lube. Worked like a champ and the gear train is unhearable from any distance beyond a foot.

[Sakura Maru]

I devised a way to mount the geared 400 motor to the boat:

I took it for a run this morning. Ran great, but I'm sure belts would do better.