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Old 13-05-2018, 09:47   #1
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The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

We all know that even when we are trying fix something simple, chaos theory somehow takes hold and solution spins into complexity. Sometimes when I look back at what/how I fixed something, I just shake my head and wonder how I ended up here.

In this first example, I had our bilge blower fan freeze up and start blowing fuses. Removing the rear aluminum transom cover with dorades, the motor was mounted vertical and any water from the dorades hit the fan blades and ultimately the motor.

So I decide to replace the 20 year old squirrel cage motor with an inexpensive in-line blower. However, the inlets/outlets were a different orientation so I needed to make a platform to mount the new motor horizontal.

In an effort to keep water out of the motor, I found the access panel wasn't big enough to put a dorade box on top. So I thought of putting a loop with the flexible hose but couldn't figure out how to drain it. The dorades are 3" so I ended up going to Home Depot and buying a P-trap. Then I realized there was no good way to mount the p-trap to the 40+ year old corroded aluminum plate so I make a new one out of starboard and the used plastic spaces that I spun on a lathe to mate with flange, and then there was a brackets needed to support this mess.

Then I needed to put a brass fitting in the trap and 20 feet of ½” hose to drain to the bilge, but it finally came together.

Looking back, I could have just used a $20 inline fan, had the job done in an hour and merely replaced it every 5 years or so when it failed. Instead it took a two weekends and lots of time at the hardware store to mate everything up.

So this is my first contribution to the Rube Goldberg thread, but feel free to add your adventures into complexity as well.
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Old 13-05-2018, 09:48   #2
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

Drat. The picture didn't work. Let me try again.
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Old 13-05-2018, 09:49   #3
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

This ought to be a great thread.. and I surely have many contributions... which I am surely too embarrassed to admit!
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Old 13-05-2018, 09:58   #4
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

OK, I think I got it this time.
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Old 13-05-2018, 10:13   #5
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

Yes, when I got done and looked back at what I created, Mary Shelley came to mind.
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Old 13-05-2018, 10:29   #6
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

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OK, I think I got it this time.


The pisser is that you’ll be replacing the blower every five years anyway!
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Old 13-05-2018, 10:32   #7
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

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The pisser is that you’ll be replacing the blower every five years anyway!


No, it won’t be that long.
He will find out that the in-line doesn’t move nearly as much air and the whole project will be for naught.
That is the way it works on my boat anyway.
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Old 13-05-2018, 10:36   #8
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

Yep, you're probably right.

Actually I thought about putting a weatherpack 2 prong connector on the motor wiring. Instead I expoxied in a thru bolt and added wingnuts so i could remove the motor without having to remove the bracket and wooden mounting platform.

Time will tell.
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Old 13-05-2018, 18:14   #9
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

Missed A64's comment.

Actually, in my application 3" in-line works better than the old squirrel fan. Before I could tell it was moving air but that was about t. With the in-line it actually creates a breeze even 'reverse funnel" effect of the Dorade. Now in in-line is louder, but I won't forget to turn it off.
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Old 14-05-2018, 08:58   #10
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

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This ought to be a great thread.. and I surely have many contributions... which I am surely too embarrassed to admit!
Uhhhh, me too. My new mantra seems to be "Why make it simple and elegant when I could complicate the hell out of it?" :redface
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Old 14-05-2018, 09:46   #11
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

I see no way an in line fan will move more air than a squirrel cage blower.
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Old 14-05-2018, 10:25   #12
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The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

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I see no way an in line fan will move more air than a squirrel cage blower.


Squirrel cage could have had shot bearings and or a brush problem and was limping along before it died.
But new vs new and at the same power consumption? A squirrel ought to win hands down and be quieter too, just cost more of course. Reminds me, I need to put a squirrel in my engine room, the current in-line doesn’t do much with the long hose run.
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Old 14-05-2018, 10:53   #13
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

Your solution is actually a little too tidy to be classed as a Rube Goldberg.

One of my favorites is using push bike spokes as air cooled, heavy duty, electrical resistors. If I need more than one I just wire a number together and hang them up somewhere. Classic Goldberg, makeshift, untidy and with a whiff of danger.
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Old 14-05-2018, 11:00   #14
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Re: The Rube Goldberg solutions thread

And I thought this was going to be another marine head thread....
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