R/C Steam Rover



Engine / Boiler: Cheddar Puffin

Chassis: Two Tamiya TLT-1

Fuel: Butane/Propane mix

Running Time: 25-35 Min

Operating Pressure : 3-4 BAR



Info:



I started with this Cheddar Puffin steam engine from ebay.

it was in rough shape, and took a lot of time and effort to

get it back to running condition. I had to replace the sight

glass, and lots of o-rings, and repair the engine. The cylinders

had slipped out of its holding pins, and almost the whole

engine had to be taken apart to fix the problem.

But at least everything was fixable, and once I got it going,

it provided nice power.



I started with this Cheddar Puffin steam engine from ebay.it was in rough shape, and took a lot of time and effort toget it back to running condition. I had to replace the sightglass, and lots of o-rings, and repair the engine. The cylindershad slipped out of its holding pins, and almost the wholeengine had to be taken apart to fix the problem.But at least everything was fixable, and once I got it going,it provided nice power.



The chassis is made from 2 Tamiya

The chassis is made from 2 Tamiya

TLT-1's (radio control 4x4 chassis)

mounted together end to end (minus 1

set of wheels) Each chassis had a center,

front, and rear differential. Instead of the

motor, I mounted the two pinion gears to

a shaft, and mounted some support for it

to extend the entire length of the chassis. A

sprocket was attached to one end for the

steam engine to power it.



Cheddar Puffin weighs 5 lb. ( just the boiler and engine, no

Cheddar Puffin weighs 5 lb. ( just the boiler and engine, no

water, gas tank, condenser etc.) and the Tamiya TLT was

made for supporting a light body. First problem was shocks

not stiff enough to support the extra top heavy weight. Even

stiffening up the shocks, it swayed as it turned. In the end I

used some silicone tubing to help support the weight.

A disposable gas tank was used first to test this puppy out

without having to refuel for each run. Tamiya TLT kit also

allows front and rear steering. I had first set up all of the wheels

for steering independently, 3 channel for the wheels, and one

for the engine. However, without complex r/c gear, it got way

too confusing to drive, trying to control each set of wheels.

I ended up with a simple 2 channel system - middle wheels

locked, and the front and rear work together in unison,

making it very easy and fun to control



The Finished Rover

Movie

6 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering.... Steam Powered