Converting a Dick Kerr? MM16 Petrol/Electric to Battery R/C

Tony Walsham

Tony Walsham

Manufacturer of RCS Radio Control.
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Following on from the other thread https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/does-anyone-know-anything-about-this-model-please.308383/#post-466212 where ths loco was identified by Neil Robinson as a Dick Kerr 1st WW war petrol electric loco, here are the other pics of how I went about adding battery R/C.

Clayton-01.JPG


This is actually a quite large model. Seems to be very 7/8th..ish so it is big enough to install AA size batteries.
I inserted a sheet of styrene in the top of the frame. A small oval speaker was fitted to the floor.
To keep the costs down I used 3 x 4.8 volt 1,600 mah AA NiMh Rx battery packs glued together and wired in series for 14.8 volts.

Clayton-03.JPG


The OMEGA-3v8k ESC is mounted on a vertically mounted scrap of styrene. The Auto Bind DSM2 Rx beside is beside it.

Clayton-04.JPG


The MyLocosound was mounted on the other side of the vertical styrene.
There is a smallish instrument motor mounted on the floor of the cab. Alongside are the ON-OFF switch and battery charge socket,

Clayton-05.JPG


The underside view reveals how the double reduction chain drive is installed. The gearing is quite low and the performance is superb. Run time will be at least 2½ hours with a light load.

I would like to know what scale the model is. The door at the back is 92 mm (3' 6") tall. I believe it was made by the New Zealand Model Company.

Clayton-02.JPG


P.S. It has now been determined that the model is indeed 16 mm scale.
 
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Tony, is that from the Worsley Works 16mm etch?

It's one of their range, and from memory of seeing them at exhibitions, they're not tiny locos.
 
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with the door measuring 92mm, it sounds as though it's close to 16mm/1' (1/19) that would give a door size of 5' 8" at 1/19. It seems to be 45mm gauge ? There are a couple of UK sources for models of this loco at this scale.
 
It is the source I am not sure of. The owner said it was made by the New Zealand Model Company but I have no evidence of that. It is nicely put together and actually quite light.
I looked at the Worsley Works 16 mm model. This is a bit different. Rivet detail is not as pronounced and the radiator is embossed? with the Clayton, Lincoln, England badge.
Yes it is 45 mm gauge which makes it incorrect for 2' gauge in 16 mm scale. Although I do understand many models of 2' gauge prototypes have been issued also set to 45 mm gauge.
 
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It certainly looks very professional underneath, there was a recent thread on a facebook group concerning a LKM diesel in 1/19.2 scale made for Car & Locomotive which were actually made in Korea from, I believe, brass etchings. Maybe this is the same kind of source for New Zealand Model Company. The facebook group is Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling BTW
 
Very neat Tony.. (to be expected).

Have you another shot of the cab-end footplate, showing the motor etc. please? - I have a 'orrible runner here, and am in two minds whether to move it on, or have a go at making something better out of it.

NOTE: Not the same model as here.
 
Here is the view of the inside part of the cab.
Clayton-06.jpg


The ON - OFF switch is a micro toggle on the left of the motor.
The charge jack is a regular 2.5 mm pin DC CO-AX jack.
The motor shown is an instrument motor without a common gearhead. The gear reduction is via a worm and 30 tooth?worm gear, plus a 2:1 reduction in the chain drive.
There are six wires going under the floor between cab and control/sound systems. Battery, ESC and Motor.
A word of warning mounting charge jacks (on the right) on sheet metal. Doing so puts a potential on the whole metal body. In this case it is negative (-). Al;though that does depend on how the jack is wired up. Best to not be a positive potential.
You must NOT have any other electrical contacts on the body or frame. That includes some motors where one commutator brush is connected to the motor frame.The two terminals MUST be insulated from the brushes as in the above. Most can motors would be OK but in general open frame motors must not be used.
 
Brilliant!
Thanks for the additional photo, and information Tony.
:rock::clap::clap::clap:
 
Tony Walsham said:
Here is the view of the inside part of the cab.
Clayton-06.jpg


The ON - OFF switch is a micro toggle on the left of the motor.
The charge jack is a regular 2.5 mm pin DC CO-AX jack.
The motor shown is an instrument motor without a common gearhead. The gear reduction is via a worm and 30 tooth?worm gear, plus a 2:1 reduction in the chain drive.
There are six wires going under the floor between cab and control/sound systems. Battery, ESC and Motor.
A word of warning mounting charge jacks (on the right) on sheet metal. Doing so puts a potential on the whole metal body. In this case it is negative (-). Al;though that does depend on how the jack is wired up. Best to not be a positive potential.
You must NOT have any other electrical contacts on the body or frame. That includes some motors where one commutator brush is connected to the motor frame.The two terminals MUST be insulated from the brushes as in the above. Most can motors would be OK but in general open frame motors must not be used.
Click to expand...

So why does my wiring never look as neat as that - I mean, I try :emo::emo::emo:
 
Cable ties are very useful. .........and very very cheap.
I often add cable ties to some base wires such as battery to switch, switch to ESC and ESC to motor to hold them in place. I then run extra wires as needed and once all the wiring is in place, I add final cable ties when the new wires are going in the same general direction. I then remove the original cable tie(s) as they are not really needed.
 
What have you all got against bevel gears? - Except another bevel gear, perhaps??
:wondering::wondering:
 
Yeah the Essel Dick Kerr chassis is totally different to the one Tony's working on.

Rather disappointing that Essel's tag line is "Quality is our Priority" yet all they can manage is a single blurry photo of the Dick Kerr. Would you spend £475 based on just that photo? Is Essel still going, the last show dates listed were all 2015?
 
ntpntpntp said:
Yeah the Essel Dick Kerr chassis is totally different to the one Tony's working on.

Rather disappointing that Essel's tag line is "Quality is our Priority" yet all they can manage is a single blurry photo of the Dick Kerr. Would you spend £475 based on just that photo? Is Essel still going, the last show dates listed were all 2015?
Click to expand...
But their stuff is good :nod:
 
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