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[steamboatwilly]

Making boiler for Fantail launch to original external dimensions of Midwest, but using copper and silver flo 55.

Only variation is boiler depth increased internally from 60mm to 70mm for longer running as will be using gas burner.

Would appreciate advice from fantail owners about the fitting of the additional items such as :-

a) Pressure gauge          (b) Water gauge         (c) Clack valve for filling whilst running

Would  they be  beneficial, or is the original design satisfactory as is ?

If anybody knows the approximate run time of the original boiler I would appreciate knowing.

Thanks

[Underpressure]

I would say a pressure gauge is essential, a water gauge is nice to have and a clack valve can just save the bother of removing the safety valve to fill up, something I've never really had a problem with.

As for running time, I can't recall ever seeing a Fantail with the Midwest plant fitted. With the Cheddar equivalent, run time was about 10 minutes.

[gondolier88]

I'm not a Midwest owner, however regarding your boiler fittings- a boiler must have a means of gauging the pressure, otherwise you cannot tell it is operating properly.
It must must must have a water gauge, not up for suggestion that one- the bottom of the gauge glass not showing a level any lower than 10mm above the bottom tubeplate or the top of the firebox- not knowing which your boiler has as I'm not familiar with the Midwest design.

A clack valve is, as Underpressure says, optional. I prefer them personally, along with a hand feed pump.

I have to say though, I would seriously consider not gas firing such a small boiler- the water will run out at least 4-5 times before the gas does- that really is asking for trouble.

You could have a spirit burner or fuel tablet holder that holds a little more than the conventional Midwest that would give you a longer steaming time. Just a suggestion, but I would hate to see such a well constructed boiler come to harm, and even worse, someone else come to harm too.

Greg

[MOG8]

I have recorded a running time of the Standard Midwest boiler (with my Heritage steam engine) of more than 15 minutes with my gas burner.   Pressure gauge and safety valve fitted in one unit plus a stop valve on the outlet pipe. It has cross tubes through the chimney. This steam plant is installed on a Midwest Elliot Bay launch.
I am building another Midwest boiler with the same specifications but with a 70 mm high shell but with a copper flue. I haven't decided yet about the water gauge.
As far as check valve and pump I don't think that they are really important in this size of boat. An engine driven feed pump would be nice but this would take a lot of power to the engine which is a not a champion in power .
I have started the construction of the Fantail Launch but I will be using  non Midwest  engine.
http://s1017.photobucket.com/albums/af294/STEAMPROPULSION/STEAM/

[kno3]

I would say a water gauge is essential (to prevent any damage to the boiler by running it dry), a pressure gauge very useful (but the pressure can also be ascertained by means of a r/c whistle, even from a distance) and a clack valve is useful if extended run times are required.

[steamboatmodel]

The most important fitting is a safety valve.
a)Pressure gauge, If you can find one that is small enough they do look nice.
b) Water gauge, This I would defiantly fit.
c) Clack valve for filling whilst running, This would be handy, if not connected to a pump consider Goodall type.
d) cross tubes through the chimney, This I would fit.
e) Drier (Super heater) a loop over the flames to dry the steam a bit would be nice.
f) Insulation between  boiler shell and wood lagging.
g A boiler door (see Toms build) would look nice, also gives a good spot to light boiler.
Regards,
Gerald.
PS Almost forgot a RC controlled whistle