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#Post#: 804--------------------------------------------------
Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: lynx wind Date: November 12, 2013, 12:13 pm
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Many of the Youtube type videos showing steam engines running
skip an important aspect of operating these engines. They need
attention and frequent lubrication. While a cylinder lubricator
can be added, many of the bearings around the engine are exposed
and need to be oiled at each run. When the engine is done for
the day, it needs to be blown down and emptied of condensate.
Some larger engines had oilers installed at each bearing.
Starting up a steam engines requires a bit of expertise to avoid
starting with condensed steam in the cylinders and damaging the
components. In the hands of a novice a typical steam engine
will be a frustration except for short runs of toy boats, or an
occasional table top run.
A modern steam engine would be enclosed, maintenance free, self
starting, automatic, and free from the danger of hydro lock and
freezing. It's taken me many years of messing with steam but
this is what I am close to making available.
#Post#: 806--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: crazyguy Date: November 12, 2013, 1:14 pm
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This is not a rebuttal:
Being a MR. Fixit around the house and 50+ years in the service
industry I haven't found anything that is maintenance free.
That's what scares me, some people in the world trust machines
with their lives and I know how easy they can break. I may
sound old fashioned but I've never had my note book loose all
it's data or need to debug or scan it for virus's. Nor does it
need to be recharged. Yesteryear has some good points,
My slide rule will never get broke and it's faster than my
calculator in producing a result. Even though it may not be
accurate to ten decimal places.
Like all stories , never rush to judgement... you may not know
the whole story.
If I was ever called to jury duty I'd make up some crazy story
to get out of it , cause I'd probably hang the jury. :-)
#Post#: 808--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: lynx wind Date: November 12, 2013, 3:26 pm
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You are right. I was trying to say for a steam engine to gain
wide acceptance it will need to be much more consumer friendly.
Oiling 10 bearings and topping up the cylinder lubricator,
opening the drain cocks.... isn't the right design direction for
a modern steam engine. But, it's fun for the hobbyist.
The old steam engines all had exposed crankshafts, flywheels etc
not running in oil bath. Fun to watch but not exactly UL
certified for safety.
So, my big point is....For anyone thinking steam could make a
comeback, it would need to be a very different design.
#Post#: 809--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: crazyguy Date: November 12, 2013, 4:04 pm
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ditto.
Go Green ;D
#Post#: 4418--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: tandemcompound Date: September 12, 2014, 5:48 pm
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Oiling the bearings and topping up the Manzel is what you do
while building up pressure. Also wiping the engine
and looking for problems. This commentator has not spent much
time around old engines and is bringing an
instant ipad and cellphone mind to a different problem. If you
want turn key ability buy a Kobota diesel, if you want
to burn waste wood and gets lots of power with steam go with it
(they do require maintenance and minding tho). that is why
steamers had 3 to 5 man crews. I see BNSF wants to go to 1 man
crews.
#Post#: 4424--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: tandemcompound Date: September 13, 2014, 4:49 pm
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I wish you luck with a modern design for an engine-- reliable
small engines for off grid uses. I like your 6 vids on
Yootoob about the monotube. I have spent too much time with
steam tractors and rollers so am inured to them.
Electric and electronic controls for a steamer seems like
reverse anachronisms. Doble seemed to perfect the modern
steam car tho i have not seen one in person.
#Post#: 4428--------------------------------------------------
Re: Problem with Steam Engines of Yesteryear
By: tandemcompound Date: September 14, 2014, 3:46 pm
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The Locomobile steam car is easier to understand than the Doble,
it is 20 years earlier thus simpler.
It possesses a small, elegant fire tube boiler wound with piano
wire. Strangely the burner is fed with
superheated gasoline that has a feed pipe going thru the burner.
The gas tank is pressurized, thus you
have pressurized and superheated gasoline in a pipe inside the
burner, in addition to a 400 psi boiler. 2 bombs in one rolling
down the road. I guess once you get used to it one can handle
it. Anyone see the vids of the Toledo steam car going
to rim of the Grand Canyon?
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