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

Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Videos The Office of Steam Cinema => Topic started by: Jim on October 17, 2022, 10:25:15 pm

Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: Stoker on October 18, 2022, 06:47:30 pm
I love mine too!

Have found that the vibration of the machine can rotate the flame out of the critical position, or even cause the whole burner to "walk away" so that you lose the critical flame positioning where the blue part of the flame is getting sucked in, which Jim's video so well shows. Magnets have been found to be useful in helping to keep the burner where it belongs, while still allowing for adjustability to optimize flame position.

I have a newer one and it has a magnet (stick on) on the base to keep the burner in position. Of course, it won't work with that nice copper burner.

Actually, it could probably be made to work with Jim's copper burner, by simply putting a large steel washer into the burner. It'll work if the magnet is strong enough, or possibly reverse the situation and put a super magnet into the burner and a piece of steel sheet metal under it.
Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: Jim on October 18, 2022, 05:10:31 pm
Thanks one and all, appreciate the comments.
Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: Steamloco on October 18, 2022, 11:48:08 am
I love mine too!

Have found that the vibration of the machine can rotate the flame out of the critical position, or even cause the whole burner to "walk away" so that you lose the critical flame positioning where the blue part of the flame is getting sucked in, which Jim's video so well shows. Magnets have been found to be useful in helping to keep the burner where it belongs, while still allowing for adjustability to optimize flame position.

I have a newer one and it has a magnet (stick on) on the base to keep the burner in position. Of course, it won't work with that nice copper burner.
Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: Stoker on October 18, 2022, 10:52:55 am
I love mine too!

Have found that the vibration of the machine can rotate the flame out of the critical position, or even cause the whole burner to "walk away" so that you lose the critical flame positioning where the blue part of the flame is getting sucked in, which Jim's video so well shows. Magnets have been found to be useful in helping to keep the burner where it belongs, while still allowing for adjustability to optimize flame position.
Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: St Paul Steam on October 18, 2022, 08:11:59 am
I have that one as well (a favorite) I preheat the cylinder with a heat paint stripper for 45 seconds...greatly enhances the starting procedure.
Title: Re: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: IndianaRog on October 18, 2022, 06:56:50 am
Jim, cracking good example of the Solar 3.  I have same engine and agree they are tempermental to get started, but once you find the sweet spot for the flame, they are a joy to run.  You probably know it already, but don't oil the piston...graphite powder (pencil lead) only on this part...other external moving parts can be oiled.

Nice burner build !

Rog
Title: PM Research Solar Engine #3
Post by: Jim on October 17, 2022, 10:25:15 pm
PM Research Solar Engine #3
Flame Licker
Flame Gulper
Whatever you want to call it just a fun engine to run!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NueiYcXxfM