Hovercraft Cruising Club UK

Open Forums => General => Topic started by: Al on Apr 13, 2019, 8:24 pm

Title: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 13, 2019, 8:24 pm
Anyone have any pictures of how they have connected up the throttle on their lift engine?
[/size][/color]
[/size]I am using a 19hp vertical for lift. [/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]I intend using a bicycle handlebar gear changer for the throttle.[/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size]Looking for ideas on how to connect the two.[/color]
[/size][/color]
[/size] Engine has governor removed[/color]
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: John Robertson on Apr 14, 2019, 10:52 pm
No picture but what's wrong with a stainless bike spoke with a knob on the end mounted through the dash?  Doesn't need to be on the steering as the lift throttle only has two settings (idle and full lift).  An open wire is by far the simplest solution - nothing to break, jam or corrode and no fiddly glove-resistant controls or springs.  If you wanted to make it more complicated then an over-travel choke could be easily added (same as lawnmowers, etc.).
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Steve Holland on Apr 15, 2019, 2:25 pm
I've used stainless cycle spokes and for slightly heavier gauge, tig welding rods are available in stainless.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Philip on Apr 15, 2019, 6:48 pm
I've used stainless cycle spokes and for slightly heavier gauge, tig welding rods are available in stainless.


The TIG stainless welding rod has taken over from the humble piece of wire in several applications :) , useful stuff.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Jimmy Cooper on Apr 20, 2019, 8:02 am
I disagree about idle and flat out beinh the only speeds used. I cruise with less than flat out on the lift engine and some of the operating slips on the south coast require more ' balance'.
Keith at Vortex uses the motorbike choke chrome lever with ball end. Works ok ( BBV used that style too ) but I found using the right tension on the pivot bolt tricky.
So now have a Shimano pushbike indexed gear change twist grip as BHC (ex FF) use on their twin engine Coastal Pros etc.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 20, 2019, 11:48 am
How is the Vortex Sirocco going?
You've had it a while, and maybe could we have a "running report" on how its settling
and how it compares with the Marlin would be useful for others?
When I viewed one (about three years ago? i posted my thoughts,
and it sure seemed well made.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Philip on Apr 20, 2019, 12:47 pm
I've given up on the gearshift type and gone to basic friction lever as the gearshift worked well but never precise enough. I always drop off the lift a little when on calm flat conditions.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Jimmy Cooper on Apr 20, 2019, 2:33 pm
If one can handle the 'abuse/banter) from FF owners about it looking like a Dalek (and I have a BHC Marlin MK III too), it is a good bito' kit. SevTecs aren't liked either. But, hansome is as hansome does my old dad used to say


I have done quite a few mods to it but that's just me.
Due to illness and four months in hospital last year it hasn't got flown as much as I'd have liked, but I flew it on 27th and 30th of December at Ulverston. Was good. Flew well.
Good value for money.
Keith Smallwood (Vortex bossman) always answers emails etc. A gentleman!
Hopefully out on Monday with the Mk1 that you flew I guess Nick (orange and white).


The one I call "Noddy" is for sale on eBay right now from Vortex direct. It's a MK II like mine.
If you see the craft you'll know why I call it Noddy!!!

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 21, 2019, 9:24 am
THAT is well "Noddyed"! Gets NOTICED.  :o
Its a good craft and skirt, but I'm of the nautical persuasion and prefer the more blended into the nautical scene visuals. Only my preference- not "factual comment"!
Reminder to self- get some stripes done on Sparkle- it still looks like I lost interest at the undercoat stage!
Gee you have been in the wars --- ::)

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Jimmy Cooper on Apr 21, 2019, 9:40 am
 ;D
That craft cries out for the yellow peril bits to be vinyl wrapped black. It't look great then.

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 22, 2019, 9:49 am
Ive no experience of vinyl wrapping. Hows it compare to spraying/ painting?
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 22, 2019, 9:56 am
Eventually it shrinks exposing the edges, but it usually takes a few years before that happens,  vinyl life is about 7 years by which time it looks well tired.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Philip on Apr 22, 2019, 10:21 am
Ive no experience of vinyl wrapping. Hows it compare to spraying/ painting?


Our local sign guys dont recommend vinyl for salt water use unless you go really expensive. Considering he lives about 50m from the Atlantic I'm inclined to believe him :)
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 22, 2019, 10:40 am
Personally I wouldn't wrap anything, unless it was just for a short term project.  The damage it can do to the underlying surface if left on for a few years is a no for me on its own, then you have the problem of removing old brittle vinyl Absolute nightmare.


For a long term solution for a normal colour then I would spray paint every time.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 22, 2019, 1:51 pm
Sorry guys- nothing to do with Lift throttle--
But is cellulose sprayable onto GRP, or does it need something special?'
Always fancied a nice spray job, but fear my gun won't spray marine yacht enamel type paint.

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 22, 2019, 3:16 pm
Yes it will.  Probably best off using an etch primer, if its on to GRP, but if it's on to pre painted 2k, then a good flat back with 800 wet n dry to key the paint is all that is needed  ;) .  The cellulose wont be as hard wearing as 2K paint, but an easy way to add some stripes or colour highlights
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 22, 2019, 4:54 pm
Is that 2K (as in twin pack) the rather dangerous paint, where you need respirators. Ive seen 2K referred to in USA and pressurised masks and filtered booths advised. I had forgotten you were a sprayer once?
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 22, 2019, 5:57 pm
Yes isocyanate based acrylic paint.  Not good for health.    I love the smell of cellulose paint

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Jimmy Cooper on Apr 22, 2019, 6:14 pm
Nice day out today. 1 x FF Marlin MK II and two Vortex Siroccos.
Littlehampton was lovely on south coast.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 23, 2019, 10:08 am
Good to see you out.  8)
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Ronnie L on Apr 23, 2019, 9:09 pm
Nick
I do paintwork within my business.

2 pack paint is definitely the way to go.
I am probably going to get blasted, but if you do paint job after paint job using 2k and no mask you are asking for trouble.
2 pack paint isn’t nice stuff, but if you are doing 1 small paint job in a well ventilated area with a good quality mask I don’t think you are going to come to any harm. It’s just a matter of being sensible.
Cellulose is no good unless you are restoring an old car and you want to be original.
2k is easy to use, very tough and very shiny.
Do you want to paint the whole thing, or stripes or panels of colour.

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 24, 2019, 2:02 pm
I have already in stock stripes from tarting up Kingfisher with Yellow/red/blue coachline tape to reduce Sparkles undercoat look, so will probably go that way---- as easy, and less fraught with problems and or interactions.
I am using cellulose to respray a classic car I've damaged so am "current" on Cellie!
Its all good to know and all knowledge helps, even if shelved (for the moment)!
Yep it appears that "2K" (presumable the same as 2 pack?) Must be used with caution "to postpone death"
I guess this includes EVERYTHING that we do for safety reasons!
We ALL know ---its coming---- its just best to keep postponing it!
Now wheres me razor------ ::)
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Ronnie L on Apr 24, 2019, 2:43 pm
Have you got a classic car too.
This is my classic a 1955 Ford F100.
Mildly rodded.
It’seven older than the camper and one year younger than me......but in much better condition.
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 24, 2019, 3:38 pm
That looks the biz! Now thats RED! :o
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Ronnie L on Apr 25, 2019, 9:51 am
It is red 2 pack direct gloss with 3 coats of 2 pack clear.
Cut back with 1200s, buffed with Farecla G6 and glazed.
Sorry ......too much info

Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Al on Apr 25, 2019, 10:19 am
It is red 2 pack direct gloss with 3 coats of 2 pack clear.
Cut back with 1200s, buffed with Farecla G6 and glazed.
Sorry ......too much info


Personally I think it would have looked better in green  :o ;D ;D ;D


Seriously though it looks good
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Ronnie L on Apr 25, 2019, 11:30 am
Green would be lovely, can you recommend a nice shade.
Thanks for the compliment
Title: Re: Lift engine throttle
Post by: Nick Flint on Apr 25, 2019, 1:58 pm
Well Ronnie I'm sad to say i DO actually understand all that.
Classic car enthusiasts say 2 pack is "too glossy"
I think this is perhaps a REALLY stupid thing they say, bearing in mind they spend days polishing cellie to LOOK GLOSSY!
Yours is SHINY  8)  and PROUD.
Perhaps we should redirect this car/spraying stuff to "Nowt to do with owt"? rather than "lift throttle"????    ::)