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[steam up]

This is the now almost finished model ( nothing is fixed in place at the moment).
The first pond trial was very disappointing not enough pressure. I reduced the jet size and bath test was more encouraging so down to the pond for trial two.
Ran out of gas d*m so this was the best I could do but still more potential I think.
At the moment the model has an internal water tank which I am not too happy with, has anybody had experience of taking water directly from the pond and if so which is the best location for the collection pipe?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPePpEFZuXI&list=UUFuUhc86L6pHMibb0Bzyw6Q

[Jerry C]

I take my feedwater directly from the lake, however my lake is very clean. If yours is not then consider some form of non restrictive filtration. Pick up tube as low as possible and close to keel. Keep skin fitting flush with planking. See Jerry's -Steam Launch- Wear.
Jerry.

[kiwimodeller]

I have five operating steam boats ranging from a small single cylinder to a large double acting twin. None of them have any form of water top up system. Provided the boiler is a good match to the engine and the prop is big enough that the engine does not rev high and demand heaps of steam then it is definitely possible to get thirty minutes running on any of them just using the water in the boiler. To me that is sufficient for one run and I then bring the boat in and top up water, drain the oil separator and fill the lubricator. I would suggest you concentrate on getting the most out of one fill of the boiler. Only when you have achieved that would I worry about a tank or a water pick up from the lake if you are not happy with the run time. Just my five cents (sorry - pence ) worth. Cheers, Ian.

[flashtwo]

Hi,

I have always used the pond water unless it is briny at which point I use an on-board 1 litre bottle. I use a Stuart D10 engine.

I have two inlets on the steam boat just in case one of them is obstructed (never happened) and link them together before the filter and then on to the pump.

The filter I use is a lawn mower petrol filter which has 6mm push fit connections - see

http://www.mister-solutions.co.uk/product/in-line-fuel-filter-suitable-for-6mm-fuel-pipe-2848-p

They are quiet cheap and last all summer (unless the water is like pea green soup!).

If you use the filter, make sure there are air tight, since the last one I used had a defect which allowed air ingress - solved by a tiny drop of super glue.

The engine exhaust goes to a vertical cylindrical oil separator where the oil floats to the top (you have to top up with clean water to begin with) and the clean water is taken from the lowest point and dumped over board. It is very effective if the cylinder is flushed out with a degreasant and boiling water after several runs.

Once you use the pond water the only running limit is the fuel supply or the "I'm bored" limit which in my case is about 45 minutes.

Ian

[ooyah/2]

Hi,

I have always used the pond water unless it is briny at which point I use an on-board 1 litre bottle. I use a Stuart D10 engine.

I have two inlets on the steam boat just in case one of them is obstructed (never happened) and link them together before the filter and then on to the pump.

The filter I use is a lawn mower petrol filter which has 6mm push fit connections - see

http://www.mister-solutions.co.uk/product/in-line-fuel-filter-suitable-for-6mm-fuel-pipe-2848-p

They are quiet cheap and last all summer (unless the water is like pea green soup!).

If you use the filter, make sure there are air tight, since the last one I used had a defect which allowed air ingress - solved by a tiny drop of super glue.

The engine exhaust goes to a vertical cylindrical oil separator where the oil floats to the top (you have to top up with clean water to begin with) and the clean water is taken from the lowest point and dumped over board. It is very effective if the cylinder is flushed out with a degreasant and boiling water after several runs.

Once you use the pond water the only running limit is the fuel supply or the "I'm bored" limit which in my case is about 45 minutes.

Ian

Ian,
With you here, my lake has about 30 resident swans that churn up some mess, I use pond water on my steam tug and Flashsteamer   OOYAH , I buy my filters on E-Bay  (  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-x-Small-petrol-in-line-fuel-filter-fits-6-or-8mm-pipe-universal-fuel-filters-/171195417412?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27dc0ac344 )  throw away when dirty, they filter dirty water that looks as tho" you could drink it, if you were daft enough !!!!!!!!!!!.

George.

[steam up]

Thanks for the feedback I will order the filters first thing tomorrow.

[rhavrane]

Bonjour,


On my boats which have a feedpump, example JAN, I use small fuel filters for radio-controlled cars I clean after each use.


By experience, I noticed that water is cleaner under the hull than on its surface.

[steam up]

Wish I had concentrated in French lesson  Enjoy your video rhavrane

[steam up]

Third run out. Bow too deep in the water steam set up improved things are starting to look up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUTKO0wonnk

[Bernhard]

hi,,I have always used the pond water, in all my steam boats, and never ever have a problem with that
Nice launch you have build

[southsteyne2]

Beautiful model although I would look at changing the propeller size or pitch as it seems in the clip the engine is running with little load and as mentioned before, once you get this balance right the boiler water requirements can be more accurately worked, out Just my thoughts
Cheers
John

[steam up]

Thanks for the input. I am limited in prop size by the size of the Kitchen rudder however I had consisted making a four bladed prop..