I DID IT!! Meths Burner!!

igy569 · I DID IT!! Meths Burner!!

I did it! It works MINT.

Found some fiberglass wicks. See how many of you recognize what the tank used to be! I will polish it up to match all the other stuff. This is merely a single part of a larger project. Pics and details on that when I finish it!!!

I am so STOKED that this works so well. Gotta put some kind of valve, or the alcohol just keeps evaporating away... I even test fired the boiler with it, works so well, I am gonnna make some caps so I can limit the number of burners running.

steamyjim

Looks brilliant! Is it made from one of those small water sprayers?

igy569

HA HA!! Yes... it was one of those little brass plant atomizers. All brass, and can bought for cheap. Even used the nozzel as the vent hole! I just desoldered it, and used it for my purposes!

steamyjim

Sussex Steam use them for their Newcomen engine boilers...about the best made thing on the whole engine

oldstuff

Brilliant idea. You could set duration records with that one.

johnreid

Looks great, I like the idea of capping off burners if desired.

toxx

... terrific job, well done mate!

Les Marsh

Brilliant idea, well done.

Nick

You're taking over where Reid left off.

Keep up the good work.

steamgranny

igy569

I put the D21 back together, and fired it. WOW!

Running on all 5 wicks, it cranks up to 20+ PSI with engine running full blast (unloaded, I need some kind of a generator so I can put a load on it) AND the steam valve leaking (muffed one of the solder joints, already fixed). I kept holding the whistle open to release extra pressure, making all five (yes, 5) dogs go nuts. I blew it out, and the engine ran for another minute or so on the left over pressure.. leaky valve and all. I have already capped the fifth wick, and it works fine. I will fire again tomorrow. So far, I have left it burning all five wicks for OVER an hour total. The wicks are only lightly burnt, and there is still about 1/3 of the tank left!!!

The rest of project X is coming along nicely. Having a drill press has really made a big difference.

I am going to make small version of the burner for the D12. I think I make take a stab at the bowman type for the 76.

More pics soon!!!!

redryder

Brilliant piece of kit you have constructed !!!!

Gil

Steve_S

Well done, that works very well!

xlchainsaw

well done .its great to see a idea work

tmuir

Nice.
I used to have one of those water misters but through it out when I moved from the UK back to OZ.
Wishing I'd kept it now.

igy569

IndianaRog

James

Very nice!!

rangerssteamtoys

Brilliant Idea, Like the alcohol tank. ITS HUGE

as for capping off the wicks, you could make a device that slides over the wicks so you could have a flame "Throttle" so to speak.

igy569

It was even easier. I took 3/8 copper pipe, cut it with a big pair of wire cutters. Perfect tube, with the end already crimped. The wicktubes are 1/4 copper, with the end flared out a bit. See the new post with a much smaller one for the 50's D20. I also use caps on all 5 to slow the alchol evaporating. The tank has to be big for what I have planned.... stilll need to come up with some sort of an stean jet oiler that does not require stopping the engine...

Hmmm..... any ideas?

steamyjim

igy569

Ooohh... Do tell.

I hope you will share details?

Cause that will be the only thing I need to make a real endurance test.

I still have to stop every 10-15 minutes to add oil to the usual places.

Mister Occlusion

Dang that's a big burner

I fired my Jensen 75 with my Bowman'ish burner today for the first time in months. It actually worked well for the first time ever (maybe the steel wool packing is degrading and letting the fuel pass...)

Going to have to try a wick burner again. My vap ones can be awful to light.

rangerssteamtoys

igy569

Interesting idea... But... the freaking valves are really pricey, and hard to make. I can make a crude one, but they leak too much. I need better tooling to pull that off. Sides... I do not picture the syringe fairing to well against the live steam pressure....

But the concept is good..... something for me to ponder. Maybe I can come up with something. Hmmm.....

johnreid

Wet Steam is a fairly good lubricant on its own. I think too much emphasis has been put on oilers

igy569

I think I see what you mean. The engines I have the problem with really are the oscillators. They start to get really stiff after a bit of a run, but I have not noticed the valve engines complaining at all now that you mention it.......

So maybe just stopping the engine every 1/2 hour and adding oil should do it ya think? I am also thinking of the linkages... and flywheel bearings.

johnreid

I thik you are onto something, that and the correct oil.
Try the Green Velvet sometime.
http://www.steamenginelube.com/
THe Green Pin Bearing and Journal oil seems to stick to the surface better and the Steam Oil is great.
Just like Brylcream, a Little Dab'l Do Ya

igy569

Look like good stuff. I think you sent me that link before. As soon as I have a few bucks (I am SO tired of being broke!), I will get a pint of the stuff. Any lines on where I can get a GOOD oil can with a nice thin spout?

Thanks!!

johnreid

I use a pin lubricator As seen here

http://www.indianarog.com/restorerstoolbox.htm#86247637
Just a drop does it. If all of that oil is just churned into Mayonnaise, it is out of the system before it does any good anyhow.

igy569

Yeah. I saw that on Rog's site. As soon as I got the dough, I am going to get me some of that. At least what i have now is doing the trick, just messy.

Looks like the right way to go! Right now I use a syringe.

Mister Occlusion

In an electronics store I bought something called a flux applicator. It's a squeeze bottle that holds about a years supply of oil (even for me...maybe 2 or 3 years for everyone else :LOL: ) and has a needle tip. I did find the standard tips a bit too fine for the thicker steam oil, but as they are just regular Luer Lock needles, I bought some heavier gauge ones from small parts source that work just dandy.

Had a guy comment on one of my videos once who said he only oils the cylinder on his Wilesco smokey once every 3 runs.... I kinda disagree with that. Besides, having oil flung all over the place is as much a part of the experience as servicing the burner

johnreid

igy569

rangerssteamtoys

Once I perfect my latest burner you will all be considering it.

Maybe I will do a preview.hmmmmmmmmmm.

igy569

OK.

Bring it on!!! Going for endurance, or just mega heat output?
I will be waiting for the release and details.

I did a nice long run with the new burner last night. Ran for over an hour. It was awsome. Having sme odd problems with the wicks tho... Will explain later.. gotta go to work now.