Air Supply

SteveV · Air Supply

Forgive my ignorance but I only dropped on this site while researching my very old Schoenner engine, (which I have had for about 40years), having had it restored and I am not a model steam expert.
It is so old that I am reluctant to use steam to drive it but would like to run it on air. What do you experts normally use for the air supply and how do you connect it to the engine? I.e. do you pressurise the boiler ot just connect to the valve inlet? Help is much appreciated.

Nick

You are going to need a constant air supply to run the engine.

Just pressurising the boiler won't give you much of a run.

I will take a picture of what I use and add to the thread. (Give me about 15 minutes.)

Nick

This air compressor might be large for a little engine, but it only takes 2 minutes to fill and gives long run times.
I forgot to mention it was also free.

It's also nice to have a long hose, so you can have it in a different room (keeps it a little more quiet).

I then hook it up to an air pressure regulator, and on the other end, I have small rubber hose attatched:

I just "screw" the hose into the boiler:

This also works nice, because you can quickly remove the one and put on a different size:

SteveV

As it happens I already have a similar sized compressor in the workshop so I could use that. However, I can not see her indoors being very keen on me dragging it into the sitting room to show our son what his dad's schoolboy toy used to run like.

When I have been to the odd model show I have seen models running on air but there is no sign of such a big beasty. Are there more specialised compressors or do they just use smaller workshop versions?

Nick

That's why I use a 25 foot hose.

You can also use an aquarium pump, but it will constantly be running. With the larger compressors, you can store the air and run a little engine for a long time.

oldstuff

Hmm. What about one those little 12 volt auto compressors? You can cut off
the lighter socket plug and splice them onto an everyday 12 volt transformer
that produces the proper amperage.

mogogear

I have an aquarium pump but it is barely adequate. Check out craigslist or harbor freigt tools for a small airbrush style pump or use a large canister to fill and run your engine- then it will be quite during operation..

The larhest aquarium pumps are as expensive as a cheaper compressor!!

Atticman

Welcome to the forum. Thats a lovely Schoenner vertical you have.

I would always use meths/ electric where possible. I think that the steam itself acts as a bit of a lubricant, and if run for a while on air I would have thought that its more likely to wear the cylinder than if you fire it up.

These engines were meant and made to be fired, and the colour will stay as good after a few firings

I happily steam me Dads 1930s models, and cant wait to sort out my Schoenner vertical thats similar to yours.

Mamodman123

Wallace

I run the exact same setup as Nick.

If you already have a compressor just buy some hose long enough.

I tried running the 12 volt compressor but they are too noisy to have sitting next to you. I couldn't find a suitable transformer to run it indoors either.

The other problem I had is the 12V one put out more air than the engine could use, so started building too much pressure. Only fix was to create a bleeder valve to relase air.

The advantage of the larger compressor is you can run more than one engine and you just set the regulator at an appropriate pressure for running.

I don't use it often but would have great advantages for displays. Also great for testing engines.

tmuir

Sorry can't recommend on what compressor to use but atticman is correct.
Toy steam engines tend to run a bit 'wet' that is there is water droplets amongst the steam that helps to lubricate the engine so if you do run it on air make sure you lubricate the cylinder, piston and faceplate well before a run and if its a long run I would give it a top up on the oil.

xlchainsaw

i also put a few drops of oil into the boiler which tends to find its way deep inside the finer areas.