Automated hot air balloon

[Red68]

I was thinking of installing a Faller model air balloon on a layout for my Grandson.
Has any one any idea on how I could have the balloon simulate flying backwards and forwards along one side of the layout.
I know totaly over the top, but it would be great to see the look on his face if this can be achieved.

[Bufferstop]

Would there be a sky background along that side of the layout?

[Ironduke]

something like a cable car driven by something like a clock movement maybe?

[Tom@Crewe]

this is a two wire system, it's a bit jerky at first....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0uBPMJYmYs

[Bigmet]

If you want it to 'fly past' alternating direction when it reaches the limit of travel, then the simplest method is from a single line. What it requires:
length of fishing line for near invisibility
two pulleys
a slow winding motor and gearbox, use the output shaft as the winding drum
end detectors and a reversing mechanism
a counterweight.

You put the two pulleys up either end of the layout, sling the line across with the counterweight hanging one end, and the winding motor the other end, with the detector system to stop and reverse when the balloon reaches the limits of travel. (If you need more vertical height for the counterweight, a pulley on the counterweight effectively doubles the drop.) There was a very neat 6V or 12V motor with an adjustable ratio up to 4,000: 1 reduction plastic gear train branded as 'Como' sold in Radio Shack and similar shops, look on line. With an adjustable supply and the highest ratio, that could easily turn the output shaft at less than I rpm; use a 4mm shaft to wind on, speed below half an inch a minute easily achieved.

That's a system with no safety provision, if the line breaks the balloon falls! More elaborate arrangements are possible...

[Red68]

Would there be a sky background along that side of the layout?

Yes there would be a sky background.

[cfmonk]

Hi All,

First time poster. Digging up an ancient post because it inspired me when thinking of doing this on my layout. I finally managed to get it done and you can see the results here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEvdvE4KU9M (from 1:00 onwards).

It's controlled by an Arduino. It's a single line (quite thick as with the necessary counterweights to keep the balloon at the right height are actually quite heavy). It has two modes, auto mode or manual left / right mode. There is more play on the left side than the right side so only the right hand side has a safety mechanism which is a reed switch and a magnet on the counterweight which activates if the counterweight gets too high on that side.

I ended up going with counterweights on both sides and a motor is simply a winder rather than being a cable drum of any description as the cable drum ended up being too jerky if the cable slipped.

It's still jerkier than I would like but I think that's a code issue rather than a hardware issue and I will try and rectify this weekend.

If anyone would like any more details then feel free to drop me a DM on here and I can send you a lot more photos / details.

Cheers,

Chris

[Bufferstop]

Would there be a sky background along that side of the layout?

Yes there would be a sky background.

Ignore this, things have moved on.

[Bigmet]

First time poster...

And most welcome Chris, neat idea.

Best not put up your e-mail addy though, all sorts of bots picking those up.

[Phred]

Welcome Chris.
That's a most realistic fire effect inside the building.