Re: 100 percent butane
Charles, If memory serves, Roundhouse gas tanks are tested to 500 psi and destruct at ~ 4500 psi so they are a bit tougher than the 10 tho' tin cans which these LPG products come in. Whether the piddly little Ronson gas valves with their 4.5x 0.5 metric threads would last that high is perhaps doubtful, but I am told by those who have hydraulically tested tanks with the valves in place that they do survive to at least several hundred psi 'tho they don't work afterwards. The Fowler gas tank if I remember correctly, is in the cab roof, so it will be gently warmed by radiance conduction during the run which will balance the cooling caused by the LPG being drawn off, should therefore remain at ~ ambient temperature. There is an all copper tube connection between tank burner so the whole thing is pretty sound. Butane/propane mixes isobutane ( the latter being a homogenous isomer will give a more consistent burn than the mixes where the prop. will burn off first ) should not be necessary for a cab mounted tank I would stick to butane if you can find it, as Joe says preserve your RH guarantee. That said, nothing alarming is likely to happen - unless perhaps you allow your loco to sit in a conflagration caused by a meths fired loco - there, that should start a spat ! - of course isobutane or the mixes may well be necessary in the depths of a NY winter which mercifully I have no experience of ! For that time when you have to dismantle reassemble the gas connections, get, in addition to the vital PTFE tape, some gas leak detector spray - much better than soapy water. In the UK this comes as a flourescent yellow liquid but in the US in ACE stores is a blue liquid. Do not use with the burner lit as I guess the propellant is flammable. Art Walker, Guildford
Re: 100 percent butane
Sir Art of the Roundhouse wrote: "That said, nothing alarming is likely to happen - unless perhaps you allow your loco to sit in a conflagration caused by a meths fired loco - there, that should start a spat ! You bet it will--'tis the careless filling and spilling of butan/propane gas that causes the conflagration. Some of you will recall an event a few years ago at Diamondhead -- a stupid steamer was filling his butane tank in the middle of the main running section when a very beautiful lady came by with her beautiful SR Schools - running beautifully on ALCOHOL.-POOF-a big sheet of flame. Fortunately, no one was hurt (I couldn't get to the chap!) but the poor lady barely survived the shock! Sir Art--you have now been demoted to "The Knight of the Outhouse " where you will get plenty of gas--methane!! Look out for me sneaking around with an alcohol fired lighter! POOF!! Alcohol "burning hot" Cantankerous Uncle Geoff. " Charles, If memory serves, Roundhouse gas tanks are tested to 500 psi and destruct at ~ 4500 psi so they are a bit tougher than the 10 tho' tin cans which these LPG products come in. Whether the piddly little Ronson gas valves with their 4.5x 0.5 metric threads would last that high is perhaps doubtful, but I am told by those who have hydraulically tested tanks with the valves in place that they do survive to at least several hundred psi 'tho they don't work afterwards. The Fowler gas tank if I remember correctly, is in the cab roof, so it will be gently warmed by radiance conduction during the run which will balance the cooling caused by the LPG being drawn off, should therefore remain at ~ ambient temperature. There is an all copper tube connection between tank burner so the whole thing is pretty sound. Butane/propane mixes isobutane ( the latter being a homogenous isomer will give a more consistent burn than the mixes where the prop. will burn off first ) should not be necessary for a cab mounted tank I would stick to butane if you can find it, as Joe says preserve your RH guarantee. That said, nothing alarming is likely to happen - unless perhaps you allow your loco to sit in a conflagration caused by a meths fired loco - there, that should start a spat ! - of course isobutane or the mixes may well be necessary in the depths of a NY winter which mercifully I have no experience of ! For that time when you have to dismantle reassemble the gas connections, get, in addition to the vital PTFE tape, some gas leak detector spray - much better than soapy water. In the UK this comes as a flourescent yellow liquid but in the US in ACE stores is a blue liquid. Do not use with the burner lit as I guess the propellant is flammable. Art Walker, Guildford
Re: 100 percent butane
Thought my remarks would cause a stirring in the Californian woods !! Sir Art of the Outhouse
Re: 100 percent butane
Sir Art, In view of your gallantry in accepting the demotion, and because of your intelligence and good looks, you are now "Sir Art of the Roundhouse" again This new roundhouse holds many stalls for butane fired locos. Congrats! Geoff. Thought my remarks would cause a stirring in the Californian woods !! Sir Art of the Outhouse
Re: 100 percent butane
Hello! R-H recommends butane and isobutane to be used in their tanks. I use isobutane in cool to colder weather and butane in the summer. You can stock up on butane at a tobacconist or http://www.elighters.com/r1.html. For isobutane, you can find it at camping stores or http://www.rei.com and search for butane/isobutane. Boating or marine stores may have butane as well. I have not had problems finding butane or isobutane in the bustling metropolis of Harrisburg, PA; so, I have not had to resort to the propane mixes. Free advice: follow the factory manual so as to keep your R-H warranty in force. Regards, Joe "David M. Cole" wrote: (SNIP) At issue, I believe, is the pressure rating of the on-board gas tank. The manufacturer doesn't believe it will survive the higher pressure of the butane/propane mix. Conversely, that higher pressure is what makes it work so well in the cold. A number of gas tanks are rated for the butane/propane mix, but some aren't. If the maker says use only 100 percent butane, then you should follow the recommendation. FYI, the Accucraft, makers of the Ruby, say 100 percent butane in their literature, but I know of a number of people (myself included) who use butane/propane will no ill effects. But you are doing so at your own risk. --- Dave Cole, General Manager Grand Teton Everglades Steam Excursion Co. (formerly the Westline Mussel Rock Railroad) http://45mm.com/ Pacifica, Calif. USA List Mom: sslivesteam, the list of small-scale live steamers mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Regards, Joe Betsko Pennsylvania USA Bala Cynwyd Railway: http://jsb.pennsy.home.att.net Primer for Novice Live Steamers: http://www.gardensteamers.com/tips.html Share Live Steaming Tips: http://www.gardensteamers.com/exchange.html iMac - Hey, I dont do windows!
