Hello, I am not super familiar with steam although my brother and I had a Wilesco steam roller engine we ran as kids....I want a smaller stationary engine but watching YouTube videos I noticed there is no steam control valve on the smaller wileso offerings!
I hate to see engines run flat out but much prefure long slow smooth runs....I thought I would ask on here if any experienced model steamers had source for elegant steam control valve or simple solution to control speed on the little stationary engines?
I don't have much solder experience, but willing to learn!
In the late 60´s/early 70´s Sears did offer the Wilesco D5 and D10 with a steamvalve, you could hunt for those, as they do come up on Ebay now and then.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ] Otherwise, and if you prefer not to "operate" on an engine, i´d recommend that you bag a Jensen instead...and an electric heated one especially, as you can turn those down to VERY slow, without the safety valve lifting all the time, merely by inserting a cheap router controller inbetween the outlet and the engine.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Router-Fan-Variable-Speed-Controller-Electric-Motor-Rheostat-AC-120V-US-New/353360469574...actually, come to think of it, i´d always recommend that people bags Jensens instead, no matter which engine they´re after
Actually there is a Wilesco model of the D10 that was originally built with a throttle valve on the steam line. I believe it was a Sears contract model, so if you look out for one, and get lucky, you just might find what you are looking for.
Other than that, you might consider a Jensen 25 or 75 as a good choice for a reasonably priced smaller sized engine with a throttle valve on the steam line.
It is also possible, and often easier, to put a throttle valve (choke valve) on the exhaust of an engine, and frequently that only requires some silicone or similar tubing and an aquarium air valve to accomplish.
One other method for controlling the speed of engines without any throttle, is with the load you put on it. If you balance the work the engine has to do, with the speed you want it to run at, you can often enhance the entire experience, and make it work like a real engine, instead of just freewheeling.
Ho ho ... good job Jan ... you snuck in there with some good information while I was typing!
Putting a ball valve on the exhaust is an interesting thought...
I did find a company in UK that makes nice looking miniature ball valves...I do not know what size steam tube wilesco uses at this time but see they sell it in bulk with 3.5mm OD
Wilesco does sell a steam control valve replacement for there larger engines but the parts it comes with is a combo of parts some threaded, others not...so I am not clear if it's a solder in production or compression fittings.
If you don’t want to do any modifications to your engine, just switch over to a gas burner
You’ll get much better speed control by fine tuning the flame than what you will with an inline throttle and far longer run times as you won’t have any wasted steam.
If you don’t want to do any modifications to your engine, just switch over to a gas burner You’ll get much better speed control by fine tuning the flame than what you will with an inline throttle and far longer run times as you won’t have any wasted steam.
Agree with Nick here.
BIX burners are a bit of an investment up front, but you can use them 'forever'. Makes running on live steam less of a chore, which means you'll probably run more often!
I have been looking in to gas burners!...I like the idea of throttle the heat so I can burn hot if loading the engine heavy and turn the fire way down low if long slow display run.
This is not BIX brand but looks similar?
Roughly $80 shipped
You pays your money and you makes your choice (do I have that saying correct?).
I'd be definitely looking hard though at the Jensen line up. A Jensen #75 IMHO would be a much much better choice than a smaller Wilesco.
And a Jensen #75 run with a BIX burner.....that's just a wonderfully fun combo that would give you a lot of pleasure.
If you don’t want to do any modifications to your engine, just switch over to a gas burner You’ll get much better speed control by fine tuning the flame than what you will with an inline throttle and far longer run times as you won’t have any wasted steam.
Agree with Nick here.
BIX burners are a bit of an investment up front, but you can use them 'forever'. Makes running on live steam less of a chore, which means you'll probably run more often!
Couldn't agree more with Nick and Scott......BIX burners make steaming an engine so much more of a pleasure.
I have been looking in to gas burners!...I like the idea of throttle the heat so I can burn hot if loading the engine heavy and turn the fire way down low if long slow display run.
This is not BIX brand but looks similar?
Roughly $80 shipped
I would not buy these, email Phil at Forest Classics and tell him which engines you want to run and he will hook you up with BIX burners that you need. The shipping from him is actually quite fast and reasonable from the UK
Ok....I am getting the hint that BIX burners are the Best way to go
Also feel strong pressure to go jenson 75.....I would like to mention a kind forum member offered me a great price on a Wilesco D20 so the D10 would not be my only engine.
However...I will watch some jenson 75 videos and see if I can determine just what all the Jenson fuss is about? Lol
On initial comparison the wilesco will look more attractive (it did to me) my 1st engine is a Wilesco D22, but for serviceability and longevity its very hard to beat a Jensen.