On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 10:53:33PM +0200, Pontus Pihlgren wrote: > On Mon, Jun 15, 2015 at 04:53:01PM +0000, tony duell wrote: > > > > > I also think it is in the spirit of the computer - using what is available > > > to fix a problem at hand. I think the arduino was overkill when an attiny > > > (smaller, easier to hide) would probably serve just as well. > > > > Would you put plastic handles on a piecc of antique furniture? Would you > > make the seatboard for an antique longcase clock from MDF? > > Both are easily reversable, BTW. > > No but I would put an electric heater in a steam engine if it meant > restoration would progress faster. > > (yes, feel free to lecture me how big that heater would have to be...)
That has been done before for production purposes. I kid you not. Happened in Switzerland during WW2. Due to the war, coal was a bit in short supply, but Switzerland already back then had plenty of (hydro-) electric power, including on the railway grid. So they converted a few steam locomotives to steam-electric by replacing the firebox with electric heaters. IIRC it was only a few locomotives and they were mostly used for shunting work. Kind regards, Alex. -- "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas A. Edison