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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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I have been working on my first model for a while now and still have a long way to go before completion. The goal is to have a real bridge console operate a model lift-span bridge. The console was taken out (replaced) in 1995. It is the original console (1964). The bridge is still operating. The model is scratch-built from using photographs. Plans for the bridge are unavailable. The project is for the local naval and maritime museum in Ballina, NSW, Australia. I am a volunteer who had some background in electronics many decades ago. The museum got me to convert the console from an industrial to a low DC voltage apparatus. The allocated display area is 1200 x 2400 mm (4 x 8 feet). This brings the whole bridge (across the Richmond River) to a 1/72 scale model. Here is an image of the real bridge:  Here is the old console from that bridge:  My proposed layout for the project:  Please be patient with me in showing you the work in progress. The first several posts will be what has already been done. Then there will be delays in further posts as I am still working on the project. As mentioned, it is a scratch-build, and I am still trying to figure out what and how to do the next bit. Basically I already know what is to be done, but since I never done anything like this, it takes me awhile to actually venture into the unknown and experiment, so to speak, from one step to the next. The museum is a non-profit organisation and has a limited budget, which limits the choices of resources. So my plans and reasons for doing things a certain way are often influenced by such restrictions. Naturally, I do many hours of searching for the cheapest items available. I often cannibalize and utilize other bits to access parts and materials for the project. Oddly enough, there is a certain amount of satisfaction gained from improvising and utilizing unexpected resources. Hope you will find this project of interest.
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 28/07/2014 Posts: 4,269 Points: 12,713 Location: Scotland
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This will be some project  will be following  regards Phil COMING SOON =1/72 Italeri diorama`s Battle for the Reichstag and Stalingrad battle at the tractor factory 1/16 Trumpeter King Tiger with loads of extras ON THE GO= refurbishment of 1/25 Tamiya tiger 1 , amt Star trek kits and space 1999 models
So Much to Build,But What a Hobby!
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 Rank: Elite        Groups: Registered
Joined: 20/04/2012 Posts: 1,787 Points: 5,292 Location: Thurso
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Welcome to the forum and what a great project. I will be watching with interest.
Graeme
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Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy your time with us...  .. Sounds like a really interesting project you've undertaken and you've certainly captured my interest... I look forward to seeing how you progress with this and hope it works out the way you want it to..... Regards Alan
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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Welcome to the forum  sounds a great project and certainly a little different, look forward to seeing your progress. Al
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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Thank you Phil, Graeme, Alan, and Al for your interest.
To tell you the truth, I too am hoping it will turn out as well as I visualize it to be.
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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The first thing I had to do was to find out how this console actually operated the lift-span bridge. I spoke with the current operator and found out that there is a long sequence of procedures. In a nutshell, both road and river traffic has to be controlled before raising the bridge. The model also has to be somewhat child-proof, so that nobody can lower the bridge onto the boat as it passes, and any other potential mishaps. The planning, designing, and drawing of plans has taken up a fair bit of time. Scratch building is so different to having all the parts, drawings and instructions at hand. Because it will be a museum display, the model will be out of my hands as soon as it is completed. Others will need to know how to operate, troubleshoot and repair the model when need to. So I am also compiling an operation and service manual as well. Here are some of my plan drawings. These were done on computer. other drawings, to save time, are photographs of my drawing drafts (free-hand). You will see those later on. Overall idea of how I want the display to look like.  Both bridge and boat will be driven by electric motors with a 148:1 reduction gearbox, donated for the project. The drive system is via cables and pulleys.  A montage of some of my drawings for building the bridge and display table. All measurements in millimetres.  For those unfamiliar with a lift-span bridge, here is an animated GIF of how they work. 
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Can already see the effort and thought you've put into this through the plans you've drawn up. All looks excellent and look forward to seeing more... Regards Alan
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 Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,827 Points: -13,348
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Looks an interesting project, welcome to ModelSpace btw, looking forward to seeing how it all comes together
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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Thank you Alan and Tomick for your interest.
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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I decided to make a simple layout drawing of the control panel. I makes it easier for me to read and follow.  After opening the front panel to examine the console contents, drawings and iPhone photographs were made of the switch mechanisms and other bits. A lot of wires were cut when they removed the console. Disconnecting them from the terminal strips was the start of revamping the console.  The museum's workshop is too small to include this project with its on going work on other smaller projects. So this display is being put together in my lounge room. The timber arrived for making the display table and its attached Control Box (under the table).  The line you see across the table top is a 3 mm gap. This serves as a sliding guide for the traversing boat.  The Control Box has two doors for accessing the motors, pulley systems, and electronics.
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 Rank: Super-Elite        Groups: Registered
Joined: 31/05/2010 Posts: 5,679 Points: 17,011 Location: Wiltshire
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A very nice start on something very different. Hope it all continues well for you. Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette) COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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Looks like a great start on this project  I don't envy you with all the wiring. Al
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Well this is certainly different, looking forward to your progress Jase “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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Thank you Tony, Al, and Jase. At this stage, because the table-top and control box turned out okay, I was starting to feel more confident. To get a break from wood-work I worked on reverse engineering the control panel. The internal wiring harness made it impossible to lift up the control panel for closer inspection. I used my iPhone to take snapshots to see if I could use the wiring without modification. Damn! it was no use. I will have to rewire the whole panel to suit the DC controls. So the harness wiring got disassembled and stored for later use. The curator wanted the console to still look antiquated, yet cleaned up. The museum president said it would be good if the museum visitors, especially the kids, could get to see what was involved under the control panel. Displaying photographs was discussed. Then I opened my big mouth and suggested to replace the front panel with a thick sheet of perspex. So now the console has become a wiring diorama as well. This means that the console interior will be under close examination. It needs to be cleaned up, painted, rewiring a coloured harness, and internal lighting. Decided to use a dark bluish grey interior in the hope of highlighting the coloured wiring. Ironically, Dulux had the exact shade I was looking for and it's called Boatshed Gray. The first added requirement to the console was a DC Power Supply Unit (PSU). This was a bit of a headache to design because I had to estimate its requirements as well as available parts to build it. I needed +24, +12, and =5 volt supplies that can handle about 2 Amps each. This is what I came up with.  Making the PSU.  Blown Fuse Indicators for each DC voltage line.  Testing the PSU. All worked fine from the start.  PSU mounted inside the console. 
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 Rank: Super-Elite        Groups: Registered
Joined: 31/05/2010 Posts: 5,679 Points: 17,011 Location: Wiltshire
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That gets my thumbs up. Anyone that can do electronics like this has a real talent. Look forward to seeing how it all developes further. Happy Modelling
BUILDING: Hachette Spitfire Mk 1A, Constructo Mayflower SUBSCRIPTION COMPLETE (Awaiting building): USS Constitution, Sovereign of the Seas, 1:200 Bismarck (Hachette) COMPLETED: Porsche 911, E-Type Jaguar, Lam Countach
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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1  Groups: Registered
Joined: 16/12/2017 Posts: 51 Points: 153 Location: Australia
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Thanks Tony.
To continue: (as you can see I changed the font size. This makes it easier for me).
I went back to do some more wood-work. The bridge footings required a large diameter. Doweling of such size was not available under 8 feet in length, which was very expensive, so I had to make my own from scrap board.
The footings.

Adding the piers.

Adding the girders.

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I’m looking forward to seeing this develop, great start. Mark Regards Markwarren (Mark) Admin
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 19/06/2013 Posts: 4,588 Points: 13,553 Location: West Yorkshire
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This is moving along well, looking forward to seeing it through to completion.
Al
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 Rank: Super-Elite       Groups: Registered
Joined: 28/07/2014 Posts: 4,269 Points: 12,713 Location: Scotland
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Wow  great start  regards Phil COMING SOON =1/72 Italeri diorama`s Battle for the Reichstag and Stalingrad battle at the tractor factory 1/16 Trumpeter King Tiger with loads of extras ON THE GO= refurbishment of 1/25 Tamiya tiger 1 , amt Star trek kits and space 1999 models
So Much to Build,But What a Hobby!
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