Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

  A question was put forward re the cartridge heaters.
I purchased mine on EBAY.  They come in various
wattages, voltages, lengths, and widths.  Just a
tube w/two wires coming out.  Figure the cartridge
that is right for you (wattage/dimensions), but most
importantly, you MUST place some steel strips to either
side of the cartridge to help the heat to 'get out' of the
cartridge.  I put two 3/16" thick bars the on each side
and they work well to help pass the heat to the boiler.
If you do not do this, the cart will go incandescent in
a few minutes and then burn out.  As for me, I used
wattages lower than the original heater - 200watts.
While the engine will never win a race, it runs real
well and is probably impossible to burn out.  I've used
this arrangement on two Empires and an Elektro and
they all heat well.  The Elektro, unfortunately, has a
loose slide valve (worn valve-seat, poor design) that
will not hold pressure and steam leaks out.  Pondering
on that one too, but it does heat really well.

Good Luck,
Wayne