Speaking of miniscule boilers, have you seen the 'HO' scale live steam locomotive? I had a chance to chat with the fellow (from Cincinnati, Ohio) who built one. He uses a simple flue less boiler, and a butane burner in the tender. Just stirring the pot!
Terry -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 9:27 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: How small is too small? Current loco inventory consists of a Basic project engine, an Aster Mikado and a 'under construction' G1MRA "Project". Yup, I'm a 'steam' newbie, but don't worry - I like to fiddle! :-) But point taken on the running characteristics of miniscule boilered models. I suppose I may just have to get a Lion, but strictly for research mind you................. I ordered the Harris book although I didn't see it on the SS website? Thanks for pointing this out to me, I wasn't aware this information was 'readily' available. It should prove invaluable. Kindest Regards, PeteH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Shyvers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Pete, > > What locos are you steaming now? It would be wise to get some experience > running a small loco of more typical design for gauge-1, like a Mamod, > Jane, or Ruby. These will provide lessons about small loco steam > generation, size of fires, and what the controls will and will not do. > The DeWitt Clinton in gauge-1 sounds like it might be on the far edge of > the small steamer design envelope, and might prove very fiddly and > frustrating to debug. > > On the other hand, having said all that, I recommend that you get a copy > of K.N.Harris' Model Boilers and Boilermaking. (Sulphur Springs lists > it in their catalog.) Harris will tell you where to start when > designing a boiler, including info on how to size the boiler tubes. > > Harris starts the design process by calculating the required steam > production rate (volume of steam needed per unit time) based on the > cylinder volume, driver diameter, and planned speed. Then he determines > the needed evaporative surface area from the required steam production > rate, steam pressure, firing method (fuel, BTU) and boiler > configuration. From there the firebox size, tube size, and number of > tubes can be determined. It's a rigorous process but not more difficult > than high school chemistry calculations. > > I wish that I had studied Harris before I configured my first > boiler/engine combination. Based on what I know now, thanks to Harris' > book, that effort fell far short of qualifying as a "design" process. I > did learn a lot, but only after I had Harris' book in hand, stepped > through the boiler design calculations, and saw where my empirical > assumptions were mainly wishful thinking. > > Steve > > "This e-mail is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain privileged, sensitive, or protected health information. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in reliance on the contents of this communication is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender via telephone or return e-mail and immediately delete this e-mail."
