The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Wallace · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:23 am Post subject: Anyone run a boiler dry?

Hi everyone

With the recent talk of steam olympics, I was wondering, has anyone ever run a boiler dry?

Is there a sign it's happening? e.g, engine slows, but flame is still good?

I'm just curious, as I want to have a go at the olympics, and my MM1 (wick type), SE1 (wick type) SE1 and SE2 older brass burner type will all have a long running burner, and I have a chance of running out of water, and wondered if there are warning signs?
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tmuir · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:52 am Post subject: Re: Anyone run a boiler dry?

Wallace · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:42 am Post subject:

Thanks tmuir.

I thought that's what might happen, but wasn't sure, and do recall your engine now

After my recent end cap soldering/desoldering fun, I realised it would need a bit of heat to damage the boiler/desolder.

Cheers
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tmuir · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:36 am Post subject:

Wallace · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:47 am Post subject:

Very good point, thanks
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960012 · Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 97 Location: Parkstone

It will smell like a burnt kettle!! ive done it at cockcrow wen the injectors didnt work!
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In a word - Never!

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

I was going to say when the engine stops thats game over!
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MTA · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:32 pm Post subject:

MooseMan · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject:

It can happen really quickly, especially with a small engine - I ran my SEL 1540 dry first time I tried it - ended up having to resolder one of the end caps.

I now know roughly how much water an engine takes to one filling of the lamp...I also extinguish an engine the second it starts to slow down.
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960012 · Newbie Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 97 Location: Parkstone

MTA · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

I know someone with a 3 inch Fowler traction engine, and it was always worrying because he only ever filled it up to the collar, and he said "as long as you can see it, it's fine", although when he went down our big hill at Amberley he was buggered!
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oldstuff · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:57 pm Post subject:

I've done it several times with no ill-effects, mostly just with Mamods; it's too risky
with less-stout brands. Don't be casual about it, though, extinquish the fire the second
the wheel stops! Also, stick with low flame burners, as vap lamps and the like are just
too hot, in my view.

If the Olympics are still of interest, I should mention the 57:16 my disk crank minor did a
couple days ago. No adaptations, but generous amounts of fuel and water were used,
both of which exhausted nearly simultaneously. The Olympics might seem controversial
for some. Hopefully, our fun with it will continue.

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"Put that in your Dremel!"

Wallace · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:23 am Post subject:

Thanks oldstuff. I was going to direct the thread toward asking you, as with your fantastic run times I assumed you might have done it.

So thanks heaps for the info

If the afternoon gusts ever stop here, I'll give the disc crank a try.
However after seeing your run times I don't think I'll get even close

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Mamodman123 · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: