I want to add a bell to my narrow gauge RS-3, similar to the one in this photo:
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raydunakin.com%2FSite%2FIRR_RS3_Conversion_files%2FMedia%2FRS3Bell1.jpg&hash=364a0e6d5de9848a8361d549288ab5d1f662ed01)
As you can see, it's mounted differently than on a steam loco. Can anyone tell me how these were set up -- Did the bell swing from side to side? Or was it held in place and only the clapper was moved?
Ray, seems to me that if the bell is operated by a rope then it would be mounted so the bell will swing inline with the engine .. shrug .. the bell crank would (I think) require that. If the bell swings and the bell crank is driven by a solenoid then it could be in any position. Hadn't thought about it until you mentioned it but that solenoid could actually act as the clapper. Looking forward to answers by someone who actually knows rather then me .. who is just 'wondering' :)
There's no rope on these (those are power lines in the background on that photo). The bell is mounted cross ways on top of the hood, so if it does swing, it would be swinging sideways, which seems kind of weird to me.
The bell has an electric clapper. The cord in the photo is a power cord. So the bell is stationary and the clapper moves by means of a motor. -- Russ
I finally found a good photo of a bell with an air ringer!
(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.railroadiana.org%2Fhw%2Fhw_bells%2Fbell_ble_b.jpg&hash=50a124dca5687065254b59745dbad2ea279e3500)