Newbie, help required

[Ian Carter 2Participant @iancarter2]

Hi Forum,

I'm just starting to build a 1/32 Thames sailing barge. It is the original HFM model. Want to purchase a suitable R/C system with servo control for the rudder and one for the sail control. The latter will be fitted with an arm and not with the drum type winch. Haven't got a clue as to what I need for any of this, power / torque, battery size, etc..

Ian

[Ian Carter 2Participant @iancarter2]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Hi Ian,

Welcome to the Forum, we do have some members who might be able to advise and no doubt they will chip in.

You might also like to look at the Association of Model Barge Owners website as they specialise in Thames Barges.

**LINK**

Good luck with the build.

Colin

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Any low cost 2G4 set that does not have "Park Flyer" on the label will do the job. Park flyers are intended to be short (i.e. almost within reach/indoors) so not a lot of use where lost control out of reach on water is acceptable.

Servos are nowadays universal in that they plug into any receiver, just a question of plugging them in the right way round and actually on the receiver pins. Ordinary "standard" servo for steering, a "high torque" but same size version for the sails. Arm type sail controls do need very firm fixing, every action has its equal and opposite reaction, and while the arm is pulling at the sails, the body is doing its best to twist out of its mount.

Not a huge boat, so just use a 4 or 5 cell AA rechargeable receiver pack. Enough power and capacity for a satisfying sail, light enough to not weigh the boat down excessively. A bit of wiring loom with a switch to connect between battery and receiver will help.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here's half-a-crown's worth from me to illustrate Malcolm's previous posting. A drum-winch servo is shown but an arm-type can easily be substituted. Note that a 2G4 radio receiver doesn't have a crystal.

DM

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 28/03/2018 14:20:56

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 28/03/2018 14:21:52

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Ian,

I have just finished a 1/32nd scale barge, in my opinion standard size good quality servos are ample for this size barge, more build photos on Thames Sailing Barge stuff,, which shows the build.

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 28/03/2018 21:57:38

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

The arm winch in Ray's picture looks to have a very solid mount, which is what is wanted.

An arm usually has a 90 degree throw – when set up, for best effect, it needs to be so that when fully sheeted in, the rigging line almost passes over the arm fixing screw and runs down the center of the arm. This offers the maximum mechanical advantage when it is needed.

Since the modern generation of small shrouded winches is very comparable to high torque arm types, thats my preferred choice these days. Simpler to fit and set up, as well. The only downside is that the drum is a bit taller than an arm.

[Author]

Posts