Regulator

Rob · Regulator

if i buy a regulator for my mamod loco, how do i seal up the hole in the bottom of the boiler? does it require soldering or is there a bung supplied like the one for the top?

Mamodman123

I think they supply a bung! I would personally solder the top though!

Rob

ah thanks mm

CCairns

Graham-Jilly will be able to advise you on this, as he has fitted this regulator.

As already stated, IP Eng provide you with a bung to plug the top of the centre pipe in the boiler (see on the right of the photo here http://www.ipengineering.co.uk/page66.html). If you are going to use it with a meths burner then the wings on this burner will to be trimmed to allow for the new steam pipe coming from the cab. I would also consider fitting a Roundhouse lubricator at the same time, particularly if you are firing with meths or gas. Again Graham can advise on this or see his posting http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about4138.html

Rob

thanks chris. if i get a reg, i will deffo get a lubricator. im also going to get a uprated safety valve and a top up valve.
i also have another question about my loco. the sight glass has got what looks like sondensation on the inside of it, but when i steam it its still there and is hard to see the water level. anyone know what could be the matter? i have some new copper rivets so i can take the sight glass off if needed.

Mamodman123

steamyjim

My grandad machined me a little plug that fits into the top of the hole. With a o ring and a spring it stays in there nicely

Done it on 3 locos now and they have not leaked

CCairns

Sounds like your sight 'glass' is starting to bubble inside. They are only made of plastic and will eventually go over time particularly if you fire with meths or gas.

I've got one that has done the same, and I hold a spare in stock waiting for it to go.

You can get the Mamod spares pack quite cheap, and these have the SP Sight 'glass' which is thicker and just needs triming to fit the loco. Also the oval washer they provide is much better than the 'O' ring that dealers give you with a loco sight 'glass' repair kit. See http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAP...title%3D220141148307%2B%26fvi%3D1 or http://www.anticsonline.co.uk/1816_1_13368.html (but they have to order them from outside and I've been given no delivery date for my order yet)

Rob

cheers guys. ill try mm's method first, but if that doesnt do anything, ill replace it. cheers

tmuir

CCairns

I agree - do not remove the sight 'glass' until it has failed.

I've replaced 2 sight 'glass's using the oval washers as mentioned above and had no problems (although these are the screw type backplates). I've also fitted a new sight 'glass' to my SP2 using these spare packs and that one is water and steam tight as well (it is the screwed on type which helps).

I've converted a Mamod loco boiler by soldering in 2 x 6BA screws into the rivet holes and using nuts to hold the brass backplate on. If you are interested I can post how to do that, although no photos as my present digital camera is no good for these close-ups.

Rob

tried the vinegar but nothing happened, so ive had to remove the sight glass because what was in the boiler was sort of while, soft slugy crap, all over the sight glass, reflector, safety valve, whistle, and all over the inside of the boiler. the brass back plate is now off and sight glass and reflector removed. im not sure how to get rid of it as it wont move just by running water through the safety valve bush and letting it out through the sight glass hole. but it does come out using a cotton bud, but i only have limited movement. what could i use to get it out? cheers

steamyjim

I dont appear to have a reflector on my locos

Can i have pics please?

CCairns

Have you had steam oil put into this boiler at some time, as I've done that in the past when putting too much steam oil down my extended exhaust pipe and sucking it backwards through the reverser/regulator and cylinders? That ended up on the sight glass which needed to be removed and cleaned up.

Rob

i have put steam oil on the cylinders, it may have got into the boiler via the steam pipe. ill put some pics of the bits later jim. ill post ya the link.

Mamodman123

fcrammond

If its a white oily emulsion of steam oil and water you should be able to shift it with hot water and washing up liquid but you will need to rinse it out very effectively afterwards or you will be forever blowing bubbles

Fred

Rob

CCairns

As Fred says you need to flush out a lot after using washing up liquid, otherwise you will suffer from priming problems which is not just bubbles but actually losing the contents of your boiler.

Hope you get it cleaned out OK.

MooseMan

Rob, white spirit shifts steam oil as well but you need to wash your boiler out just as carefully, with very hot water, and don't get it on your paintwork!

Rob

thanks for the tips guys, but in the end, i took it apart and soaked it in hot soapy water for 1/2 hour and it shifted it, pretty much, and i putr her back together today. copper rivets in the boiler are sound and water tight, just need to steam her to see if they are steam tight. i found out the answer to my original question. its just the top of the boiler which needs blocking off if you buy a reg for it. ill post some pics later. cheers