Emptying fixed boiler mounted on a display

Michael · Emptying fixed boiler mounted on a display

I am looking to mount my Stuart boilers and engines on a display table all hooked up to one another soon but am wondering how I can empty the boilers after each steaming. Is there a way that this can be achieved without actually dismounting the boilers from the display that anyone can suggest?

I have considered using a siphon to draw the water out or blowing through with compressed air afterwards, anyone have any other good ideas?

Cheers Mick

johnreid

I have a syringe that has a hose on te end as opposed to a needle, works great

Pictured at the bottom of this photo

I als fitte a xhort length of 1/8: copper tubing to enable it to extend to the bottom of my boilers.

Bugsy

I use an old hypodermic syringe with a bit of tube on it.

The length of the rigid tube allows me to drain vertical boilers as well as horizontal.
John Reid gave me the idea.
Phil

ps
You were quick, John!

Michael

Ok that looks like it will work. Thanks guys

alan2525

The best way (and most spectacular) is a blow down valve fitted to the bottom of the boiler, at the end of a run, simply open the valve and the small amount of pressure left in the boiler will blow out the remaining water.

bigal

Certainly the blow down valve is the best but it's not really a problem with an air compressor. Even wonder if you're able to clear out all the condensate better.

Mark-One

For myself, I have a length of silicone tubing. After a session I will pop off the whistle and SV, shove the tube inside towards the rear, tilt the whole thing up a bit to get the water to the rear, then siphon off the near boiling water into my recovery bottle (for re-use next time, since it's still good).

Of course I'm damn careful in doing this

Then I hook up a small aquarium pump to the line and let it run for several hours up to a day or two.

I do it when it's hot so I can quickly vent the moist air while the water is warm enough to evaporate rapidly.

At the end of things I'll block up the second boiler bush and give the flywheel a few good flips, letting the pressure in the boiler blow out any water in the lines.

Then a wipedown and some oil and it's ready for storage.

johnreid

If I have two engines that I want to steam at the same time, the boiler of the first engine ran is a good source of pre-heated water for the second engine, I like to run the biggest engine first and then there is water for the smaller one that is already near boiling. Saves energy and fuel.

Michael

The blow down valve at the bottom of the boiler is the best idea I think but I have two older Stuart boilers and prefer to keep them as is. I think I will use the siphon syringe idea then blow out with compressed air.

Cheers Mick