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Author Topic: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear  (Read 114764 times)

steamboatmodel

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #200 on: May 30, 2012, 04:40:59 pm »

"Do they still have those massive black squirrels in the College area of Toronto?"
Not only in the College area, but all over. We also have some Gray ones that are almost as big. They are commonly referred to as fluffy tailed rats, next to the racoon's they are the home owners biggest bane. Regulations forbid poisoning them and you are only allowed to live trap them and then they have to be released within 24 hours and within 30meters of where they are caught. They just cost one of my nabors $2000 in roof repairs.
Regards,
Gerald.
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andywright

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #201 on: June 07, 2012, 09:52:29 pm »

Hi Jerry, can you tell me what size prop ypu are running and what make is it? I have a metcalf solent launch with the same boiler and steam engine as yours, it steams OK, but lacks endurance.

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3755.0


Andy
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #202 on: June 07, 2012, 11:50:18 pm »

Hi Andy, prop is 2.75" dia x 4.1" pitch, 3 blade, made by Propshop. Cost about £25. He'll make anything you want, I believe he can go to 6" pitch. He takes a while but worth waiting for. My boat is 37.5" long, the engine also drives a feed pump and the boat is way over powered at full steam ahead. A tank of gas lasts just over the hour though to be honest I haven't timed it since I cleared the crud out of the gas line, it may now be under the hour. Without the feed pump I get 20 minutes to the bottom of the sight glass.
Jerry.

andywright

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #203 on: June 08, 2012, 09:59:02 pm »

Thanks for the reply

Andy
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #204 on: June 10, 2012, 06:20:38 pm »

Not a happy bunny! Just spent 30mins writing a post, hit spell checker, ping, all gone!!
Had a good run at the lake. Got a 42 minute continuous run with feed pump coping ok with consumption. So decided to do the trip "to the wall and back" with "Odin" riding shotgun. No problems with the exception that the steam regulator seemed a bit hit and miss. On return home I stripped it cleaned and lubed it with a dab of Copperslip ans replaced it. Will see if better next trip. It seemed to be perfectly ok, I should add.
      I have a little video footage showing draining oiler and deoiler after a bench test done earlier. http://youtu.be/3dYY9H87XMY
I will post a video taken with a keyfob camera which shows what really happens to the regulator, sight glass and pressure gauge during a run. I warn you it's very boring unless you're really interested!!
Jerry.

derekwarner

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #205 on: June 11, 2012, 12:13:58 am »

Hullo Jerry....very interesting video  :-))

My lay understanding is ......

1. The volume of water dispelled from from the lubricator into the bucket approximates the amount of steam oil that was carried over in the steam to drive the engine
2. That steam oil went to two places.........fine droplets that lubricated the moving components and secondly that near immeasurable oily slick on top of the condensate

In your spoken comments you note the fluid volume from the de-oiler as low.......I thought it appeared high % wise..... :o ....looking forward to the next Video of SLWear...............

Derek
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Derek Warner

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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #206 on: June 11, 2012, 05:00:25 pm »

Thanks Derek.  Although that video of the draining off of the oiler and de-oiler appears to be a follow on to previous bench tests, actually it's like all movies, a bit of a cheat. In reality it was done after the first run in the lagoons. At the end of the run the weather became so bad we baled out and headed for home. When Ben was thawed out I remembered we hadn't drained them so we filmed it. Ambient temperature during the run was 2 degrees and storm force winds so de-oiler was acting as a condenser. It may also be bigger than necessary and so takes a bit of warming up. Recent runs in comparatively warmer weather only provide 50cc of condensate. During bench tests over winter at 5 degrees from a 65 minute run I got 190cc condensate from 642cc water used. I'm happy with things as they are now. I just need a little more confidence in the water supply. As long as I can bring the boat close enough to observe the level with the motor stopped then I'm happy. Will eventually rig an in boiler sensor switching an alarm of some sort, then I can do "the river trip".
   One thing you may be able to advise on is the question of exhaust steam passing through pipes of same diameter as inlet. It doesn't seem right to me.
Jerry.

derekwarner

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #207 on: June 11, 2012, 11:54:11 pm »

Jerry.......the French model steam builders seem to often us larger diameter exhaust line tubing which is a sensible thing to do, however most if not all commercially manufactured condensor - de-oiler tanks have 1/8" or 5/32" OD heavy wall tube inlets which also create an increased presure drop

Even at our relatively low exhaust line pressures [3PSI?] we also end up with a pressure drop due to tube bore size & length of line etc

Certainly one of the contributors to your condensate volume would be the low ambient temperatures......you could consider lagging the de-olier body

Derek
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Derek Warner

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derekwarner

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #208 on: June 12, 2012, 01:25:34 pm »

Sorry Jerry....I penned my previous note this morning [on a monitored work PC @ lunch time] that could not display the video clips or any other images.....[big brother was watching  :police:]

Clearly the de-oiler on SL Wear is lagged together with the return line to the de-oiler  %) when I review images this evening.......

I still suggest that ~~~~ 30% of the boiler feed water to be returned as condensate is a high %

Derek
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #209 on: June 13, 2012, 01:33:28 pm »

Cheers Derek. It's more a theoretical point, not important. My setup does everything I wanted in spades with bags in reserve. It may be interesting in later life to play around with the slide valve and ports on this motor to get more use out of the steam we make but for this project I'm very happy. I did a test run on the bench the other evening and on a warmish evening on a full tank of gas with clean jet and pipe got 55 minutes endurance. More than I will ever need,  no chance of melting the boiler. The safety only lifts if I stop her for a bit and at just above tickover the boat speed is right. Any more and it's a waste. So I wouldsay that Maccsteam Madea good product, give good advice and that this boiler and this engine are a good match. My launch is just a fraction too small for this package which I'm pretty sure will drive a much larger hull.
Jerry.

Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #210 on: August 19, 2012, 03:52:52 pm »

I had a really successful and enjoyable day at Llanberis today. After a small flare up lighting the burner, traced to another blocked jet, which I had pricked the night before, steam was raised in 7 minutes. Used one tank of gas just pottering around the slip for 35 minutes with water consumption at zero. Bypass valve shut throughout.
Next run was (for those familiar with the lake), nearly up to the wall and back. Final run to the river mouth, where we surprised some campers,up the river to the sluice gates and back to the slip. HMS Daring and Clyde Puffer as escort.
I keep forgetting to note the time I flash up but estimate final run at 35 minutes with gas to spare and water consumption again zero. I love my feed pump!! It never stopped raining until I got home but with waders and thin bike jacket no problem. Not many grockles but two very knowledgeable ones. One a MBM man from Mississippi who was very complementary but was dragged away reluctantly by the peeps he was staying with. Some peeps just don't understand! 
Next trip will be a flotilla on the Llangollen Canal over Chirk  aquaduct after the bank holiday. This will be good. I did feel a little bit exposed today on the river trip. Feeling a bit smug now though.
Jerry.

Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #211 on: September 03, 2012, 12:08:04 pm »

Had another really good day on Saturday. I and two of the guys from Llanberis went off in a camper van to The Poachers Pocket in Chirk alongside of the Llangollen Canal with S. L. Wear, H. M. S. Daring and a pilot boat. Set up on the bank with gas, fire extinguisher and tools in a backpack. The first ignition of the burner resulted in another flare up like the last time so pricked the jet again. It appeared to be clear but did it anyway. Lit burner again but still flaring. Then realised why. As I was not using a stand as I usualy do, the tank was tipped towards the discharge side, thus delivering liquid fuel to the burner. Doh!! What I didn't notice was the flare had set fire to the courtesy ensign. Burned away completely. It left some really authentic soot marks on the funnel though which I will laquer over soonest. When ready we all set off in the direction of the Chirk Aquaduct. Progress was slow due to having to stop and talk to enthusiastic walkers and boaters. Many photos and videos taken. One very exited guy in the steep to back garden of his house put the wind up me, I thought he was going to trip up and hurtle into the cut. You know who you are! We followed a narrowboat over the aquaduct and got severely pushed about by the the current set up by the boat. We messed around in the pond between the aquaduct and the tunnel while a few narrowboats were preparing to transit the tunnel. Was given to understand that the tunnel tow path was in bad condition so didn't go through as we had no torches. Returned to the pub for lunch of scampi and chips and a gargle. Boats back in the canal and we set off in the other direction to wards Lion Quays. While passing a moored canal boat It blocked the signal to the launch and it shot across the other side and grounded on a stone. Had to shut off and get a good head of steam to back her clear. The only other incident was scaring the living daylights out of an inquisitive Labrador with the whistle! Made Lion Quays and returned to the pub, packed up and returned home.
I consumed 350grams of gas, about 6 fills of my tank(forgot to actually count how many). Feed water level maintained throughout(I haven't had to put any water in the boiler for over three weeks. It seems to stay at the same level no matter how I use the boat). Burning time per tankfull= 35minutes. Due to the apparent dirty water in the canal, on my return home I drained the boiler, flushed it out and gave it a go with kettle cleaner. It only fizzed for a minute and on re-flushing looks very clean inside.
The weather was kind to us and we all had a very enjoyable day. We plan to go again on a nice sunny day in the winter. I'm sorry but I only got one poor quality photo on the I phone not worth showing. Be interesting to see if any of the many videos taken by passers by make it to Youtube.
Jerry.

Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #212 on: September 03, 2012, 01:25:43 pm »

Forgot to say minimum distance covered 7.25 miles.

pettyofficernick

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #213 on: September 03, 2012, 05:51:19 pm »

Hi there, just been reading through your thread, I have had a similar problem with my gas supply, been changing jets hand over fist, so if i leave the gas pipe in a 5% solution of sulfuric acid for a few hours, that should cure it once and for all I hope. Hope you don't mind, I have pinched your idea for the reverser, I have been beggering about with a Bowden cable without much success, your 13 amp plug pin control lever looks much easier.  My sister lives in Carmel, which is quite close to Caernarfon and I will be visiting her within the next couple of months, is there a nice lake to sail on while I am there, if so, I will bring my Victoria so I can escape when boredom sets in.
Cheers,
Nick :-)) :-)) :-))
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pettyofficernick

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #214 on: September 04, 2012, 09:52:39 am »

Good morning Jerry, I do like the boiler feed pump you have fitted to your engine, Does it do the job ok? and more to the point, where did you get it, is it a commercial item or did you make it? Looks like just the thing I need.
Regards,
Nick. :-)) :-)) :-))
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #215 on: September 04, 2012, 10:14:05 am »

Nick, you just caught me, I'm taking the caravan to the Cotswolds to take the wife to Hidcote Manor to see the gardens. Re the feed pump, it was made especially for me by a friend in Scotland but he asked me to keep shtum as he doesn't want to work commercially. It's a pity, I think, cos its just perfect for the TVR1A. The pump I made first, (hand pump driven by servo was too big both in capacity and overal size. When it pumped it put too much water into the boiler and overwhelmed the burner and the pressure crashed, hence the economiser coil in the flue. This one puts a steady, smal quantity which very nearly matches the water used. As you can read on my thread although I keep doing a "fly by " every ten minutes to look at the sight glass as it goes by the level only fluctuates up and down by about 1/4".  I have only used the bypass valve to fill the boiler through. If the launch was half as big again I could carry a load more gas and run for a lot longer. However the weight of the transmitter and backpack suggest I've got it all about right.
Jerry.

Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #216 on: November 19, 2012, 03:16:39 pm »

I've enjoyed the 1st season with "Wear" but have laid her up for her winter refit. Jobs planned are:- Strip her down and give her a jolly good clean which I began today, reduce the size of the seperator by half and make up new steam pipes etc., repair steering lines to wheel and improve the system, replace steel funnel with aluminium, improve whistle lanyard arrangement, make a skin fitting for seperator overboard discharge, service boiler clack v/v, re-seat engine on plate with silicon sealer to make oil baths for big ends and eccentrics, make boat hook, mop, plank and stowing brackets for canopy top. All followed by touch up of cream paint and flatting down and re varnishing hull.
Jerry.

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #217 on: November 19, 2012, 04:01:32 pm »

Jerry,
You had better get those white appliances cleaned before Mrs C clocks them or she will give you a refit.
George.
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #218 on: November 19, 2012, 07:16:09 pm »

Well halving the size of the seperator went easier than I expected. I removed the brass straps and the wood lagging came off more or less intact then using a piece of paper as a guide I sawed the tube in half. Next I applied heat to the base until the tube fell out. I cleaned the top bit and the base, added flux and fixed a ring of solder inside the tube close to the end then put the top onto the bottom, heated both until the solder melted and the ring of solder ran all the way round. Then I melted the solder around the top fittings in order to change their positions to somewhere more suitable for the new arrangement. Wii box the insulation off tomorrow.
Jerry.

Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #219 on: November 19, 2012, 07:27:56 pm »

Jerry,
You had better get those white appliances cleaned before Mrs C clocks them or she will give you a refit.
George.
.       George, I have long since given up.. I have a special dispensation just to allow me to have the washer and dryer in 'his' workshop. Doesn't stop The Lord and Master slipping various bits of mucky metal in MY dishwasher when I'm not looking!! 

Mrs C ........... She who must be obeyed!

steamboatmodel

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #220 on: November 23, 2012, 01:46:40 am »

Jerry,
When I was 14 years old my father gave me some advice, he said the two most important words to a happy and long marriage are "Yes Dear" so far after 25 years they have worked. She is allowing me to have 1/3 of the basement and part of the garage for my shop/Hobby equipment in our new house and all I have to give up is one workbench for her use.
Regards,
Gerald.
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Stormbringer

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #221 on: November 23, 2012, 02:08:26 am »

why does she need a workbench ?
ps the "Yes Dear " does work tho  :-))
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steamboatmodel

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #222 on: November 23, 2012, 02:18:43 am »

why does she need a workbench ?
ps the "Yes Dear " does work tho  :-))
She does Jewelry as a hobby,
Regards,
Gerald.
 
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Stormbringer

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #223 on: November 23, 2012, 02:43:09 am »

ahh cool she has a hobby tho  :-))
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Jerry C

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Re: Jerry's - Steam Launch - Wear
« Reply #224 on: November 23, 2012, 12:20:14 pm »

I built the workshop. Swmbo only dug the foundations and laid the concrete. Hence the washer and drier. The sink unit is 50/50. Fair I think.
Jerry.
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