Cheddar steam pintail vertical boiler/running instructions

[gyronuts]

Looking to buy,borrow, copy the instruction booklet for the Cheddar steam pintail vertical boiler please. bill

[steveciambrone]

Basic Live Steam Starting Instructions
This is a basic set of instructions for a gas fired steam plant.
1. Fill the boiler approximately ¾ full with distilled or filtered rain water.
2. Drain the water from the displacement lubricator and refill with genuine steam oil.
3. Fill the fuel tank with butane or a butane propane mixture.
4. Lubricate the engine with 30w or similar oil.
5. Ensure the throttle valve is closed if equipped.
6. Just slightly crack the gas valve and light the boiler, usually at the top of the smoke stack. When it is lit you should here a distinctive pop, which is the flame going to the burner.
7. Adjust the fuel valve to get a good flame, if you can’t see the flame then adjust so it can be heard but not a loud roar. All burners are different and you have to get used to how yours works.
8. Keep an eye on the steam plant and a head of steam should be raised in 4-10 minutes depending on the boiler and burner.
9. I would wait until 10-20 PSI is indicated on the pressure gauge if equipped. If no pressure gauge is present you might start to hear or see steam escaping from around the engine.
10. Crack open the throttle valve, most two cylinder double acting engines will self start, condensate will come out of the engine exhaust. If not equipped with a throttle valve or a single cylinder then lightly turn the engines flywheel to get it to start.
11. With some engines it is better to set the engine in forward then reverse to clear the condensate.
12. Do not try to strongly force the engine to turn if it is locked up with condensate, given slight pressure it will clear the condensate and eventually start. Unless the engine is faulty if it is getting steam pressure it will run.
13. Run the engine conservatively at first checking to make sure you do not run the boiler dry before the fuel is exhausted.
14. Keep the RPM low since most model steam engines are intended to run at 1000 RPM or less. This will require running a coarser pitched or larger diameter propeller than an electric motor.
15. There are other details if things are not working ask a question to the group and it will probably be answered.
16. Have fun Steaming

Thanks
Steve

[gyronuts]

Hi Steve,
Overhauled the steam boiler and replaced the water sight glass and unblocked the inlet hole for the sight glass. I found out that as the engine operates at 3 bars and has a capacity of 1/4 litres of water it is therefore "3/4 bar/litre" and as that is less than 3 b/l it does not require annual or two yearly boiler tests. I followed your instructions and raised about 30 psi and it ran fine. The only problem was that it kept appearing to running out of gas. Needed to refill after steam was raised.
I found it difficult to assess the amount of gas needed as initially it made a howling noise so i turned down the valve. Once steam was raised it was as if the moisture in the steam being fed from the engine back to the funnel may be putting out the flame but it wasn't. Bought a steam seperator so shall see if that has any effect. Magic the sight of steam rising from the stack.
So the only issue is whether the tank fill valve is not letting in enough gas or the tank is too small ( unlikely). Any ideas? bill

[steveciambrone]

Bill,
Getting condensate or water back in the boiler flue can be a problem and put out the flame or disrupt it. A condensate or separator tank is a good idea it also can keep your boat clean. I also just run the exhaust line next to the stack and prevent the chance of water or steam from entering the flue.
The burner you have is a ceramic type and when adjusted are very efficient. They do need an intial adjustment.
You can remove the burner from the boiler and test it separately.
Fiind a safe place to run the burner and tank removed from the boat.
I place a brick under mine on my workbench.
First light the burner and see how it burns, if the flame is high and blue with a roar then it needs adjustment. The burner is adjusted by moving the jet assembly in or out of the burner and see the change in the burner.
A ceramic burner is a radiate burner which should glow red and have little flame. adjust the jet in or out at as needed for a nice glowing red color from the ceramic burner. Ussually the jet has to be further out than in to get a good flame. Bringing the jet out will increase the amount of air in the mixture increasing the efficency.

You should have the final adjustment so with the fuel valve fully open you get a nice red glow from the burner. This type of burner is usually fairly quite.

Let me know how it works out.

Steve

[gyronuts]

I had a look at the burner last week and the flame was blue and about 2 and 1/2 " long. I will try and take a photo during the week to show you. Bill

[steveciambrone]

The key it to see the ceramic material glowing red, just like the embers in a fireplace.

Steve

[gyronuts]

It would appear that either the refill valve or the control valve is leaking gas. Will let you know when i get that fixed. bill

[gyronuts]

there is a definate leak from the refill valve . hope to get that fixed tomorrow. bill