The continuing saga of Niksons 1402 IMP sn 129

[turbinator62]

Just chiming in. Years ago bought one of those thermoelectric 'self powered' fans and while they're kinda cool, they don't move any cfm to speak of. You're better off with a ceiling fan moving air around. Just saying.
I use a ceiling fan at my off grid log cabin wired into my AC inverter, to move the hot air down from my loft where I sleep nights. It can be 70F downstairs and 90F upstairs without it. Before bed I let the fire burn down and fire up the fan in advance. It's on a timer so I dont have to get up to shut it off when I'm about to doze off.

The little thermal electric fan does blow air and helps. The nice thing about it is it works when the stove is barely warm. I also made a Stirling engine fan with a 12" 5 blade fan which moves a lot of air but only works when the stove is really hot when we initially warm up the cabin. We also have two 4 blade 12 volt Backwoods Solar 3 speed ceiling fans wigh a remote that have worked well for over 20 years. They only draw about 1/2 amp on low speed. We run them 24/7. I have 475 watts of solar into 2 golf cart batteries in series with a simple PWM charge controller. A newer MPPT charge controller would be more efficient but I haven't gotten around to changing it.

 

[turbinator62]

Is your five blade stove fan noticeably more effective than the smaller four blade? We have the small one at our camp, and while it does move air, it is less than impressive.

The litte fan is thermo electric and works even when the stove is barely warm. Doesn't move a lot of air but helps. The big fan is a mechanical Stirling engine that I made. It moves a lot of air but only works when the stove is really hot like when we initially warm up the cabin when we first get here in the winter. It works on the principle of differential temperature (expansion-contraction) between the lower cylinder (hot) and the upper finned cylinder (cool). We also have two 12 volt ceiling fans that run 24/7 that keep the loft temp and the lower floor temps close.

 

[turbinator62]

Turbin 8 tor, did you ever need a clutch or monkey with yours.

I have acquired a air cooled imp. I really like it. And found i can over power the clutch in fourth range.

Ill likely not monkey with it till its necessary or spring.

Mostly curious if your clutch can snub the engine in 4th

Do you have a Wisconsin manual? You can do a search on Google for a VH4D manual. Pitt Auto Electric has a free PDF download. I also have a copy of the original Thiokol manual I can email

 

[redsqwrl]

Sorry for the late reply. For some reason I didn't get a notification of your post on my emai.
After I replaced the clutch disk with a new Tribco kevlar unit, but most importantly started using tractor hydraulic oil (John Deer Hygard) it has not slipped in any gear in 9 years and I haven't had to adjust it. I can kill the engine in 4th. The Wisconsin manual says to use engine oil in the clutch case. But that was based on oil specs from the 60's. Engine oil has gotten way more slippery in the years since. Read my posts from early 2016 on because I had the same problem. You may want to pull the clutch and make sure it isn't down to the rivets. First thing I would is change the oil.. Have you also tried adjusting it?

I did not. I figured it was adjustable as the machine was built before ralph nader took most of our fun away with litigation and safety concerns. I will google tribco kevlar units just in case the facing is getting thin.

 

[redsqwrl]

Do you have a Wisconsin manual? You can do a search on Google for a VH4D manual. Pitt Auto Electric has a free PDF download. I also have a copy of the original Thiokol manual I can email

I have not sunk my teeth into the research side of this cat yet. I really like the cat and find its simplicity enjoyable. thank you for the direction this will be very helpful

 

[turbinator62]

I did not. I figured it was adjustable as the machine was built before ralph nader took most of our fun away with litigation and safety concerns. I will google tribco kevlar units just in case the facing is getting thin.

https://www.tribco.com/about.php I talked to a guy at Tribco named Gary who was very helpful. They stocked a lining that fits the Wisconsin and will put oil grooves in it if you ask. The linings are bonded to a steel backing to make them easy to install. You will have to drill, counter bore and rivet them to the clutch disk yourself.
Read this thread from Jan 2016 (page 8) on. It should give you all the information you need.

 

[Jessica770]

Sorry for the late reply. For some reason I didn't get a notification of your post on my emai.
After I replaced the clutch disk with a new Tribco kevlar unit, but most importantly started using tractor hydraulic oil (John Deer Hygard) it has not slipped in any gear in 9 years and I haven't had to adjust it. I can kill the engine in 4th. The Wisconsin manual says to use engine oil in the clutch case. But that was based on oil specs from the 60's. Engine oil has gotten way more slippery in the years since. Read my posts from early 2016 on because I had the same problem. You may want to pull the clutch and make sure it isn't down to the rivets. First thing I would is change the oil.. Have you also tried adjusting it?

Well done on the hydraulic oil advice; I never would have considered that. Newer engine oils might be too slick, which makes logical. Before I tear into the clutch, I will absolutely check into replacing it.

 

[turbinator62]

Went up to our cabin from the 22nd to 26th of October. Hadn't been there in a while. I did a preseason inspection on the cat before the snow flies. Had to add some air to a few tires but that was all. It started right up. I have a solar battery maintainer on the storage container now so I don't have to worry about a low battery. Should be good to go for winter.

 

[BoyToys]

Went up to our cabin from the 22nd to 26th of October. Hadn't been there in a while. I did a preseason inspection on the cat before the snow flies. Had to add some air to a few tires but that was all. It started right up. I have a solar battery maintainer on the storage container now so I don't have to worry about a low battery. Should be good to go for winter.

Went up to our cabin from the 22nd to 26th of October. Hadn't been there in a while. I did a preseason inspection on the cat before the snow flies. Had to add some air to a few tires but that was all. It started right up. I have a solar battery maintainer on the storage container now so I don't have to worry about a low battery. Should be good to go for winter.

I run up to my cabin probably twice a month to escape the social madness. Nothing like owning 40 acres off grid to clear my retired mind and soul.
I hang a 50 watt solar panel on the plow of my 1404 Imp and through a charge controller to the battery. Always fully charged.
I should probably check the air pressure too (all but one tire are foam filled). And should grease all the wheel bearings.
No snow yet, just really wet from our current atmospheric river.

 

[YamaDooPolCat]

Nice and clean looking, I like the color!

 

[turbinator62]

It's Home Depot Rustoleum 2X Ultra Cover "Real Orange".

 

[DavisTranslite]

Very nice cat. Definitely going to copy your removable hitch mounted step for rear entry!

 

[turbinator62]

Very nice cat. Definitely going to copy your removable hitch mounted step for rear entry!

Harbor Freight still has them but they look a little different. Only $15.

 

[turbinator62]

All good things must come to an end. It is time for us to sell our cabin. I'm 74 now and it is getting too much for us to take care of.
Plus' the commute is getting more difficult. We tried to go over today, but there was an accident on Hwy 18 and it was dead stop, so we went over to Hobart road and spent an hour going 1 mile. We turned around and came home. We live on the west side of Puget Sound and it just keeps getting worse. If we lived on the I-90 corridor it would be a lot easier

The Redfin listing is here https://www.redfin.com/WA/Ellensburg/3671-W-Sun-East-Rd-98926/home/16795465#property-details

I will be offering the buyer the option of buying the snowcat (and other toys) at the time of sale.

Should the cabin buyer choose not to buy it, I will put it in the classified section here.

It really pains me to have to sell everything. It has been a part of our lives for many good years.

 

[BoyToys]

All good things must come to an end. It is time for us to sell our cabin. I'm 74 now and it is getting too much for us to take care of.
Plus' the commute is getting more difficult. We tried to go over today, but there was an accident on Hwy 18 and it was dead stop, so we went over to Hobart road and spent an hour going 1 mile. We turned around and came home. We live on the west side of Puget Sound and it just keeps getting worse. If we lived on the I-90 corridor it would be a lot easier

The Redfin listing is here https://www.redfin.com/WA/Ellensburg/3671-W-Sun-East-Rd-98926/home/16795465#property-details

I will be offering the buyer the option of buying the snowcat (and other toys) at the time of sale.

Should the cabin buyer choose not to buy it, I will put it in the classified section here.

It really pains me to have to sell everything. It has been a part of our lives for many good years.

Well that surely sucks. At my current 72 I would have a hard time selling my cabin and 40 acres. It's cemented to my soul, having touched and peeled bark (and a whole lot more) from every tree that went into it. Not quite as grandiose as yours but totally functional off grid year round with all the conveniences of home minus a shower, laundry, water heater (high amp draw with those un-necessities). Going on 28 years now, hoping to be able to keep using it until I can't.

 

[redsqwrl]

Going on 28 years now, hoping to be able to keep using it until I can't.

20 some year, Standing joke with my mother after she was venting some frustration over putting her father in a home......

*when my time comes, put me in a lawn chair under the apple tree and just turn away. Let the wolves have their way*

The apple tree is at her summer home. I have convinced her to let me give her an afgan to put across her lap. And yes, i have given her nice aluminum webbed chairs for various birthday and christmas presents.

Turbine ator. Good luck with your sale