Those of you who have received this month's Model Boat magazine (August 2007) issue, will see that there is a simple Electrical diagram for making a control unit for a feed water pump for a steam boiler.
I am putting this build on the forum, so those who wish to build this circuit, who have very limited knowledge of Electronics to try and overcome some of the mysteries of the circuit. Using the magazine and this topic, you should successfully build the circuit.
I am deliberately omitting the construction of the copper probe and fittings - because its all in the magazine. So, let's commence.
What does it do?Basically its an electronic switch that senses the absence of water between the probe and casing of your boiler internally and switches an electric small pump motor on. Or, it could be made to operate an solenoid switch which in turn operates a three-way valve being fed from a mechanical pump and driven via your steam engine.
Enough of the description and let's get on with some burny fingers and get soldering;
What tools do we need first of allSame as we normally use, 15 wat soldering iron, small pair of sidecutters, long nosed pliers, some wire wool or an old tooth brush. A Quarter twist drill - some flux/cord solder. Long nosed tweezers, the owld grannies clip, small crocodile clip, magnifying glass again (if you are short sighted).
Now, we have our tools, we have to get our components to build the board. There are plenty of suppliers of electrical equipment which we will list at the end of the build.
So, what components do we require - the list is in the magazine - but, I will run through the list:
2 x 1k resistors
3 x 10k resistors
1 x 100k resistor
1 x 4M7 resistor
2 x 100nF capacitors
2 x 1N4007 diodes
1 x IRF540FET transistor
1 x LM1458 IC
Plus the IC socket
6 x Vero pins
Strip of Vero board
so these are the components we require;