Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: kno3 on November 14, 2009, 10:35:37 am

Title: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: kno3 on November 14, 2009, 10:35:37 am: Hello, I've been asked what my method is for improving the reliability of water gauges against trapped air bubbles and false readings. It is actually quite simple and anybody can retrofit it to water gauges with glass tubes:
Just take a piece of metal wire (non-rusting) and insert it down the glass tube. The wire inside helps the air bubbles that form during boiling move up, they don't get trapped any more, thereby ensuring a reliable water level reading.

Here's a picture of my set-up:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/4102811916_1bd1003ce4_o.jpg)

Let me know if you try this method too.
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 14, 2009, 12:30:32 pm: That sounds brilliantly simple! :-))
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: ROSYTH on November 14, 2009, 04:02:29 pm: I have done just that and it works just great, especially in my Wharfedale Boiler.
Go on folks give it a try....... {-)

Cheers and any more steamy tips can also be passed on thru this thread........

R
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: kno3 on November 14, 2009, 07:16:12 pm: Glad to hear it worked for you too!
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: boatmadman on November 14, 2009, 09:25:06 pm: But, the question is - - WHY does it work?
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: Colin Bishop on November 14, 2009, 09:28:42 pm: I would assume it is something to do with breaking surface tension.
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: Bunkerbarge on November 14, 2009, 10:16:51 pm: Agreed Colin and I for one will certainly be trying it. The interesting thing now is whether it affects the level sensor of the old Cheddar Boiler level sensor. If this works to give a more reliable level indication and the sensor still works then the biggest problem with that level controller will have been solved in one go with nothing more than a piece of copper wire.

I can't wait to try it out!
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: HS93 (RIP) on November 14, 2009, 10:26:50 pm: Quote from: Bunkerbarge on November 14, 2009, 10:16:51 pm
Agreed Colin and I for one will certainly be trying it. The interesting thing now is whether it affects the level sensor of the old Cheddar Boiler level sensor. If this works to give a more reliable level indication and the sensor still works then the biggest problem with that level controller will have been solved in one go with nothing more than a piece of copper wire.

I can't wait to try it out!

how about some fiber optic ?
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: kno3 on November 14, 2009, 11:18:02 pm: Quote from: Colin Bishop on November 14, 2009, 09:28:42 pm
I would assume it is something to do with breaking surface tension.

That is quite correct.
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: red_noir on January 27, 2010, 04:40:47 pm: I tried this idea shortly after reading it, and WOW what a difference !! No more trapped air bubbles !! :-))
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: Bernhard on January 28, 2010, 01:16:57 pm: Thanks,,,,,i have don it on 4 boilers ,,,and my friends have don it to,,,,,,,,,,Works perfeckt

Rehards Bernhard
Title: Re: Improving the reliability of the water gauge
Post by: kno3 on January 28, 2010, 04:55:31 pm: It' nice to read that you had good results. Why don't you post some pictures?