Servo Controlled Coupler
 

Here is a video of my servo coupling system. Simple steel washer glued onto the end of the barge. Magnets glued to the front of the tow boat. Servo in the boat moves the piano wire out the bow and pushes the barge and tow boat apart for uncoupling.

http://youtu.be/19KNn9NJWBw

Jim

Re: Servo Controlled Coupler
 

That's a neat setup!
Cheers, Neil.

Re: Servo Controlled Coupler
 

Love your pond,I have over a dozen ships and no place to run them.

Re: Servo Controlled Coupler
 

Jim-that is a very simple yet unique idea. Saves a lot of getting down on your knees to hook & unhook. Nice job.

Re: Servo Controlled Coupler. New Video
 

Tom,

Thanks, it is more fun moving them around, not having to untie or mess with them, and still have solid link control.

Here is a new video making up a three long and pushing it back up river.

Video of the twin screw tow making up a three by one (or is it a one by three?)

The mag latch system works even BETTER with loaded barges, and I have always like moving heavy loaded barges compared to empties. Empties are MUCH harder to make them look scale, while heavy loads are easy since momentum is a big advantage. Also the sail area /windage is much less on loaded barges.

http://youtu.be/VdvplxGfSnw

Jim

Re: Servo Controlled Coupler
 

Nice video-you handle those barges like a pro!!