LGB 40550 Concrete Mixer Wagon

Given that you can now get a wide variety of little micro-motors, some with quite high reduction gearing built-in for a nice slow drum revolution, I'm sure it's possible for someone with your electrical and modelling skills, Giz...?
A rummage on evilBay should turn up some suitable types.

Jon.
 
Zerogee said:
Given that you can now get a wide variety of little micro-motors, some with quite high reduction gearing built-in for a nice slow drum revolution, I'm sure it's possible for someone with your electrical and modelling skills, Giz...?
A rummage on evilBay should turn up some suitable types.

Jon.
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I was thinking I might have to run it via a Function Decoder Jon, as I was thinking of taking the feed from (DCC/MTS) track power. I'd be interested if someone has attempted this, or if indeed LGB did it as an optional fit....
 
I thought they had a manual crank on them to turn the drum. That would explain the gearing.
As Jon said - loads of well geared motors on ebay - but you might need a voltage regulator as well. Get both for well under a tenner.
 
It can be motorised I have motorised my unit complete with DCC control and sound unit for the motor plus motorised uncoupler and flashing led light. It was on my layout at last years Great Central Railway Show.
 
Railway42 said:
It can be motorised I have motorised my unit complete with DCC control and sound unit for the motor plus motorised uncoupler and flashing led light. It was on my layout at last years Great Central Railway Show.
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Looks nicely done, from the photo - don't suppose you have any video clips of it operating, or any build-up photos of how you did it?
Turns what is basically a slightly gimmicky "toy" wagon (with the hand-crank) into a very good serious model....

Jon.
 
The modification is quite straightforward. Take the mixer apart and in the square box at the end I used a piece of strip board with a small round gearbox motor soldered to it at the angle of the drum, the motor shaft has a tee piece attached. The drum rear sits around the motor and the tee piece. The two parts of the drum has lips inside so when clipped around the tee piece it moves the drum around the motor.

I have used an eMOTION 8FL Function Decoder for the DCC control with my own motor speed control as the drum needs to be very slow moving. Plus, my own design, PIC chip control servo uncoupler. The LED is controlled from the 8FL. Sound is from a reprogramed ITTP sound board.

Hope this helps. I cannot video the cement mixer as I am on my winter break in Portugal and will not be home until May.
 
I might have to wait until you get back to the UK!

Thanks for the reply....
 
Gizzy, there is always this to wet your appetite.

 
Vid worked ok for me, but I think that your Railway will take forever to build if you use that Cement Mixer! Would suggest a proper one, you can always borrow my full size one if you can transport it yourself. Will not fit in my Smart!
JonD
 
I tried to motorize one a few years ago. It would have been a good project but my mindset wasn't up to it at the time and I butchered it. I might try it again at some point.

There are those miniature gear motors all over Ebay, from China. I've used them on many motorized projects, as some here may know. I was looking for another video of a guy who motorized one of these cars, but it alludes me at the moment. I believe he used a servo to swing the chute.
 
dunnyrail said:
Vid worked ok for me, but I think that your Railway will take forever to build if you use that Cement Mixer! Would suggest a proper one, you can always borrow my full size one if you can transport it yourself. Will not fit in my Smart!
JonD
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It's a work thing JD. Our server won't let me view vids....
 
dger22a said:
Hi
goty hold of a steamlines shay, propane with reote control did it ever have the ability to go in reverse also do you know any body who has any info

Many thanks john a complete newbieView attachment 220730 View attachment 220731
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Hi I had one many moons ago, sold it on but yes it does do reverse. If I remember correct the Osmotor (the Piston Geary thing on the other side to your pics) has a lever on it which effects reverse. Think it may also have been the regulator as well, but that may be in the Cab possibly just seen in Pic 2.

Vertical cylinder on the side with a screw low down is the Oil Reservoir. Undo this to let the remaining water out, undo top to fill with Steam Oil. Only use proper Steam Oil.

Gas tank was in the Bunker/Tender behind the cab which on mine had a dummy Wood Load and lifted off to reveal said Gas Tank. Only use Butane, do not be tempted to use Propane or Butans/Propane Mix. Temparature much higher with these and I would not trust old Merlin technology to be up to scratch for the higher heat. You can get Butane in Halfords.

Good luck with it, will run like the wind if you let it.
JonD
 
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Had a look at my mixer today?

The wagon has obviously lived outside as one half of the drum has faded red stripes and it was a little dirty underneath.

It doesn't have the hand crank that others have referred to? Probably gone missing.

So I'm thinking of motorising the model as Cliff has done.

So this morning, I robbed some wheel power contacts from a broken, but repairable, Post Van I've acquired for another project. This will provide the track power (DCC/MTS) to the Uhlenbroke Digital Motor....
 
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