Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
- gpraceman
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Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
After seeing some cool electronic cars last season, including this Pinewood Lowrider, I decided then to make an animated car for our church's next Awana Grand Prix race. I've built fast cars, so it is quite a different challenge to go for design, especially an electronic one.
So, the concept is an old fashioned train hand cart, with two guys pumping away at the handles. Here's a model that I found at a local train hobby store that served as some inspiration.
Drawing it out, I came up with this:
Here's it fleshed out. Axles hold the arms and legs to the body. The wheels are G scale train wheels, using 5mm bearings. The handle is brass rod soldered together. A micro servo to control the movement via a control rod. One of the sides of the central unit is removable to access the electronics. It is held on by magnets.
This video shows the movement. I used a servo tester to make sure everything was working.
https://youtu.be/
Unfortunately, I did not get it all finished by the time of our race, which was today. Just the same, it did race. I do intend to finish it off. I've got an Adafruit Trinket to act as a controller and it will be powered by a dual watch battery pack. I also want to paint it.
So, the concept is an old fashioned train hand cart, with two guys pumping away at the handles. Here's a model that I found at a local train hobby store that served as some inspiration.
Drawing it out, I came up with this:
Here's it fleshed out. Axles hold the arms and legs to the body. The wheels are G scale train wheels, using 5mm bearings. The handle is brass rod soldered together. A micro servo to control the movement via a control rod. One of the sides of the central unit is removable to access the electronics. It is held on by magnets.
This video shows the movement. I used a servo tester to make sure everything was working.
https://youtu.be/
Unfortunately, I did not get it all finished by the time of our race, which was today. Just the same, it did race. I do intend to finish it off. I've got an Adafruit Trinket to act as a controller and it will be powered by a dual watch battery pack. I also want to paint it.
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8
Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
Romans 5:8
Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
Re: Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
You made that from scratch, just off something you seen.
Pretty neat. Could not get you tube clip to play tho.
Neat.
Sporty
Pretty neat. Could not get you tube clip to play tho.
Neat.
Sporty
- whodathunkit
- Pine Head Legend
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- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:56 pm
- Location: Forgan, OK
Re: Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
Randy,
That is neat looking do you have plans in the works to build the trailer cart for it as well ?
That is neat looking do you have plans in the works to build the trailer cart for it as well ?
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?
- gpraceman
- Site Admin
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- Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:46 am
- Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
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Re: Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
I don't really have an interest in the other cart, as there isn't much of a challenge to building it.whodathunkit wrote:Randy,
That is neat looking do you have plans in the works to build the trailer cart for it as well ?
Randy Lisano
Romans 5:8
Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
Romans 5:8
Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby racing - Where a child, an adult and a small block of wood combine for a lot of fun and memories.
- whodathunkit
- Pine Head Legend
- Posts: 2477
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:56 pm
- Location: Forgan, OK
Re: Animated Car - Train Hand Cart
Might be a challenge To do something different.
If the trailer cart used a motor to push the train cart up hill on the track.
& you load the trailer down with weights to see how much weight it can push up the track.
Might be a challenge.. or an idea the kids might enjoy seeing sometime.
If the trailer cart used a motor to push the train cart up hill on the track.
& you load the trailer down with weights to see how much weight it can push up the track.
Might be a challenge.. or an idea the kids might enjoy seeing sometime.
What type of automobile can be spelled the same forwards & backwards?