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[ir3]

Final report. I ran the engine with the Center out line from the condenser both to the chimney and left open. Water was still coming out of the drain. So tried something simple. I clipped the drain line with a very strong spring clip and voila, no water leakage coming from the drain line. The plug I was using was a screw that fit tightly but with the pressures involved, some steam was getting through the drain. With the drain line completely clamped off, the steam plant runs as it should at all speeds. The steam coming out of the exhaust line to the chimney appears to be exactly what it should be. I think all the problems are worked out.


Thanks for all the input to this. It is much appreciated.

[1967Brutus]

Final report. I ran the engine with the Center out line from the condenser both to the chimney and left open. Water was still coming out of the drain. So tried something simple. I clipped the drain line with a very strong spring clip and voila, no water leakage coming from the drain line. The plug I was using was a screw that fit tightly but with the pressures involved, some steam was getting through the drain. With the drain line completely clamped off, the steam plant runs as it should at all speeds. The steam coming out of the exhaust line to the chimney appears to be exactly what it should be. I think all the problems are worked out.


Thanks for all the input to this. It is much appreciated.

Wait until that collector is full of condensate...

See the vid in my previous post.

[ir3]

Tried a few more runs this morning. I reinstalled the condenser and left the drain open and waited for output from the drain to be steam and very little moisture. This is per the Cheddar instructions that came with the condenser. I clamped the drain and let the engine run for about 5 minutes. The amount of water in the condenser was quite minimal so this technique appears to work and very little condensate buildup in the condenser. But now a recurring problem. With the engine throttle set at a low RPM, the steam pressure drops to 30PSI and stays there.


I am not going to put any more time into this steam plant. I built the MHB Project X, installed the steam plant designed for it and it runs perfectly. I also have an Aster Great Northern S2 engine, and it runs perfectly each time I fire it up. There is a problem with this Cheddar Steam Plant that I just do not understand. Perhaps in the hands of someone else who is quite adept at running steam plants, the problem might be solved. At my age, I just do not have the time to try and make this right.


The history of this steam plant is unknown. I first purchased it back around 2010 and just ran the engine on compressed air. It sat for a long time, and I ended up selling it. I managed to acquire another Mountfleet Cruiser and the person who I sold the steam plant to, sold it back to me. He ensured me that he never ran the steam plant. So, I have no idea what the actual condition of the steam plant was back in 2010, and it could very well be that it had problems.


Thanks once again for all the input, it is much appreciated.