The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

CCairns · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 1:22 pm Post subject: IP Eng Displacement Lubricator

Hi All,

How well should these lubricators work?

I have one fitted to an SL1K which I am trying to get to run consistently, but the lubricator hardly uses any oil at all. It is possibly due to a kink or two in the feed pipe bending, although on raising steam I do get steam coming out of the steam feed pipe with the filler cap off.

By comparision, the inline lubricators fitted to my Cheddar Steam marine engines use up all of oil and leave plenty of waste water instead.

Chris Cairns.

Mamodman123 · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris!

My IP lubricator uses very little oil on runs too! I guess it's the way they are.

Mine has a little drain screw. Water is usually hidden below the oil so check the oil is still 'oil'.

Cheers! MM
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Minor1PJG · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

I have the same on an SL1K and the oil gets used up at a steady rate. Maybe requiring a refill after two or three runs.

That said my Loco without a lubricator seems to run just as well so only time will tell if one lasts longer than the other.
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steamyjim · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject:

what cheddar engines do you have??
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Titan · Full member Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 698 Location: Derby

The Little lubricators that go on the side of the smoke box (I think thats the IP style?) often suffer from the problem that the oil is trying to go down a pipe that the steam is coming up in the opposite direction, and sometimes this results in a kind of impass with no oil flow.

In a Roundhouse lubricator for exampe, one pipe travels straight through the lubricator and out the other side carrying the main steam flow. there is a small hole in this pipe that lets the oil in on the way through. thus everything is pretty much trying to go in the same direction through the pipe and this makes quite a difference.
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James · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject:

Nice one!

How do you fit the Roundhouse one again? Pipe to banjo fitting in the whistle??
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Welcome to the Forum Chris!

Titan · Full member Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 698 Location: Derby

Mamodman123 · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displacement_lubricator

The mamod ones work like this I guess?

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Steve_S · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:48 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum Chris!

James · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks for clearing that up Ian.

Would it be hard to fit one in the cab of Poppy?

Welcome to the forum Chris

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CCairns · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject: IP Eng Displacement Lubricator

Thanks to all for your replies, and your welcomes to the Forum.

I was suffering the same problem of the lubricator piping interfering with the forward/reverse valve assembly, so I have decided to remove the lubricator until I have this loco running smoothly.

I agree that the Roundhouse Lubricator is a better option, and is similar to those fitted to my Cheddar Models engines, and an IP Jane (for which I believe Cheddar Models made the boilers).

Chris Cairns.

IndianaRog · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:

Hi Chris,

Belated welcome to the forums. I see you are from Scotland...got to break bread and hoist a few drinks with the forum's most famous Scot...Sandman. He and his lovely wife were visiting Toronto and Detroit and the later was within driving distance for me. We only have a few bonafide Scots, so it's good to have another join us.

cheers,
Roger
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CCairns · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:04 am Post subject:

Just read an interesting topic on using these dead leg lubricators on a Yahoo group.

It has been recommended by the G1MRA (unfortunately you need to be a member of the G1MRA to be able to join their Yahoo group) that the pipe on these dead leg lubricators needs to be primed full of oil to get them to work properly. Ideally this could be done when fitting the lubricator, but can be achieved after fitting.

I've just decided to have another go with my modified Mamod fitted with this IP Eng lubricator ( http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about7201.html ). After injecting steam oil into the pipe in the lubricator, whilst it did not use up all the oil on one boiler fill of water (like a Roundhouse lubricator would do), it does show visible signs of lubrication on the piston rods. Unfortunately this boiler has suffered from oil contamination (possibly due to my first injection, subsequent ones done with the steam dome removed, but probably due to my previous method of sucking oil in via the exhaust steam pipe), so it will need several runs to confirm this lubricator is now working properly.

At least I can now consider using my other IP Eng lubricator on another Mamod which will have the 'O' piston upgrade fitted as well.
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Rob · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject:

would turning the wheels in one or the other direction draw the oil down the feed pipe before you fill the boiler? if not, the method of sucking it up via the exhaust seems a good idea.

did you rempve the steam dome to stop the oil going up the steam pip and into the boiler? i had a problem with oil contamination in my boiler and it messed it up. lots of hot soapy water rempved it.