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

Here's my Empire B31 running again after replacing the mica heater with a chinese ebay purchase, thanks to
Wayne for the link, i used the one in the second link and as you can see it works great.
Trevor.

Hey Trevor, that's beautiful B31, runs very nicely and has no problems
with that generator. Great combo.

Thanks for the comments, will post some pics of what i did later next week,
Trevor.

Here's a quick run down of how i replaced the heater on my B31,
take the shroud of the new heater and flatten both ends.
connect two crimp on connectors to ends of wires,
i used the original two clamps with the ends flattened that press the mica to the boiler,
assemble the shroud and clamps together like a sandwich put the heater in the middle of them,
i then turned a piece of brass to 2"x35mm with a 10mm bore and pushed it into the middle of
the heater to act as a heat sink.
Put the plate back on and enjoy.


Can anyone tell me if the two handles on the last photo are original or not ?
thanks Trevor.

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gee, just what I need to see - a heater replacement for a B31.... gets me thinking.

Listing on hold for now - I am now squarely on the fence about this Engine.  Seems like having a B30, B31, and a B35 would make a nice trifecta (then little poor of No 90 out there for the heck of it).

  Glad for Empire lovers to jump on the wagon.  I
enjoy making runner out of a shelf queen.

  I took one of these band heaters apart out of
curiosity.  I have a Play Boy engine w/o a heater
and I may try the inner heating band there.  I
must admit, someone else did it before me.

Tuckered in Brooklyn,
Wayne

I got the B31 running, though I completely misread @eec1910 comment about the "i used the original two clamps with the ends flattened that press the mica to the boiler".  I thought I needed mica in there (I think @komet163b said I didn't).  I burnt up the first one because my 1-inch socket fell out of the center whilst I was on the phone and didn't realize it until I turned the engine over to see why it stopped making steam.  I am a darn idiot.

I came back re-read the post and reviewed the photos and it hit me to also flatten out the brackets that came with the Chinese heater.  Luckily these come in a "two pack" and I tried again.  1-inch socket is a bit more snug but I really need that socket in my tool case!  Perhaps if I PM @eec1910 he'll make me one.

More parts to get for this B31 (whistle body, front screw, all sight fittings missing), and a bottom cover.  But she is a real good runner - after I unplug her from power she seemed to run forever!

Parts used:
eBay from China: 110V 380W Injected Mould Heating Element Band Heater 35 x 35mm/1.4' x 1.4 inch (came in a 2-Pack)
McMaster-Carr: 69405K54 Noninsulated High-Temperature Ring Terminals (900° F)
McMaster-Carr: 2573K41 Expandable Electrical-Insulating Tube Sleeving (-65° to 390° F)

PS:
I have lots of the Ring Terminals and that high temp tube sleeving - happy to share for just postage.  That sleeving just fits over the wire but does a darn good job on the rings, as they aren't insulated.  I have regular insulated terminals but I was worried about the heat under there and the insulation melting away.  So I went the route of high temp parts from McMaster-Carr.

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