mogogear
|
A cheap compressor /pump to test run enginesThis maybe a long known option / trick - so if it is... only laugh slightly at me for even offering this small tid-bit ...
but it occurred to me the other day that using my small portable compressor to test run engines was not a good thing because I had no convenient way to regulate the air pressure down to the 5-10psi and that getting the hose size down that small was a bit of a challenge...
And it seems that it would be soo handy to have a way to "run in" engines and to just demo them for others with out always actually firing them up... Boat wise this would let me see if the drive train runs true connections all are as should be without the added complication of HOT THINGS ..
Enter the fish aquarium air pump... I found a small one at a thrift store for $2.00..... too small didn't work....
but then I found a larger one at a thrift store $9.00 -works great !!! It is but one of many such pumps on the market- Mine is a Optima model 807- 110v / 4.5watt delivers 5,000 cc per minute at 4psi.... it is designed to run 24 /7 for the aquariums.... VERY QUITE to boot... This pump is probably rated for a 30+gallon aquarium originally.
I could put a picture of it but they are ubiquitous !! They retails for about $30... careful some pumps come with two outlet nozzles that you would have to tee together to get the full pressure. This pump has just one and is adjustable on the pressure.
All out it seems to run my twin engine about 150 rpm-- not a speed record but does what I need it to do!!
Hope this is worth the post
|
Nick
|
I have tried small compressors, but wasn't happy with the noise. Instead, I use a large compressor with a tank. Takes a minute or two to fill and runs my engines for a good amount of time. I also use an air pressure regulator.
|
johnreid
|
I have a small vacuum pump, I have been very tempted to use the outlet of it to try to do that. I am going to have to get some tubing and try it as it runs fairly quiet and I have used it to inflate air mattresses etc.
Another approach is to get a regulator. An Oil and water trap would be good too, but I assume you know that.
|
mogogear
|
Yeah- I was just lazy about scaling down the hose and fitting to a small barb... and my big compressor bothers everyone in the whole house.... this little guy is pretty quiet and the same size as a couple of cell phones...
Oh well it works and I like to sniff around old shops fo nothing special--- snooping and steam engines and espresso machines keep me out of trouble.... oh yeah my 6 year daughter does too!! she is ready to paint Boat #1 - she is tiring of sanding.. 
|
xlchainsaw
|
one of the best things ive done is make a airline fitting to run my engines. a whistle supplied the thread! soldered onto a regular airline fitting. a cheap compressor here (2hp omplete with regulator)sells for around $100 aust. a old time 3/8 stuffed saftey valve supplied the thread for the older models. a boiler insert soldered onto a airline fitting made an excellent whistle tester! and by threading a bolt into the fitting made an excellent saftey valve o ring replacement tool. also this same fitting allows for saftey valve testing. i recommend the use of a full size compressor as it can be used for many other tasks.
|
steamyman
|
| ncseverson wrote: | | I use a large compressor with a tank. Takes a minute or two to fill and runs my engines for a good amount of time. I also use an air pressure regulator. |
I do same. works well doesn't it. 
|
mogogear
|
All good input-- I do have a full size compressor for the nailer etc- Since many of the members are "young chaps" on possibly a budget crunch, this little idea is just that - a small - cheap -bench tool for those that might find use in such...........
|
Nick
|
I agree, the small compressor would be good for someone on a tight budget and is a bit more compact. However, my full size compressor was free. Watch the local classifieds and people give away their junk. All it was was a loose wire. 
My full-size compressor is very large and extremely loud. This is okay though, because I use a 50 to 75 foot hose, hooked up to an air pressure regulator, with a fitting to make it into a smaller diameter hose. The hose then "screws" into the boiler, because it is a tight fit.
Because the engines run on such a low pressure, I can run it for the time I want to without refilling the compressor.
So in total, my investment in this is a free compressor, a regulator for $10, a $1 fitting, and some rubber hose.
|
Wallace
|
| ncseverson wrote: | I agree, the small compressor would be good for someone on a tight budget and is a bit more compact. However, my full size compressor was free. Watch the local classifieds and people give away their junk. All it was was a loose wire.
My full-size compressor is very large and extremely loud. This is okay though, because I use a 50 to 75 foot hose, hooked up to an air pressure regulator, with a fitting to make it into a smaller diameter hose. The hose then "screws" into the boiler, because it is a tight fit.
Because the engines run on such a low pressure, I can run it for the time I want to without refilling the compressor.
So in total, my investment in this is a free compressor, a regulator for $10, a $1 fitting, and some rubber hose. |
Sounds like a good deal Nick. 
I do the same thing. 4 or 5 mins of the compressor running and I get about 1 hr running an engine
|
Nick
|
But firing them up is a much better alternative to a compresor.
|
Wallace
|
| ncseverson wrote: | | But firing them up is a much better alternative to a compresor. |
Totally agree.
I get bored otherwise.
They are handy to have for shows though (not that I have been to one). Can have 2 or 3 engines running, while you steam others.
Actually, the best thing I have found the compressors for is when adapting steam engines to meccano. Saves a lot of time when experimenting
|
Nick
|
I agree, you can hook it up to the compressor in a few minutes, but by the time you fire an engine, you have at least an hour taken up. First you have to prepare the engine, heat it up, and get it going. Then you don't want to stop. Finally, when you realized how fast the time has flown by, you have quite an oily/wet mess to clean up.
|
Les
|
I thought the fish tank air pump is a very good idea, will have to look out for one nom. 
|
igy569
|
Airbrush compressorAn airbrush compressor does the trick just fine. I had not used mine in years, then I thought of it, works great, and is not too loud, produces about 10 - 20 psi.
|
Les
|
I have seen someone use a car tyre when airbrushing. 
|
johnreid
|
I have used an inner tube for that purpose Les. I will have to get the proper tubing to try my Vacuum pump, but it might be worth a try. It inflated rubber mattresses etc fairly well.
It comes from a piece of Hosptial equipment that was scrapped by the Hospital Equipment Factory in this county.
|
Mister Occlusion
|
I tried my old W.R Brown diaphragm compressor. Worked okay, but the noise was fantastic (as in Not imagined in my foulest fantasies) when the pressure in the boiler build up.
It was like a woodpecker with a 5lb brass beak trying to hammer a hole in cast iron... It kinda drowned out the chuff factor a wee bit.
|
johnreid
|
I think Roger has a fairly quiet compressor in the Temple of Steam that was designed for Dentists it is quieter than a regular compressor.
|
IndianaRog
|
You are right John...I picked up a very old Ritter brand Dental compressor off eBay...belt driven compressor sitting atop a small tank. I use it to run several engines including a Stuart Beam which I ran while you were here John.
It does a nice job and doesn't drown you out with sound. You know it's running, but just a bit more sound than a refrigerator running. I keep it at my feet under work bench with a hose to run to this or that engine as needed. I like it and it cost less than $100
|
