Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: Jim on September 10, 2024, 07:50:06 pm
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Been awhile since I've used it Bruce, here's a couple of old vids -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdo9fEy7LG8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2rr8aZFuuA
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Adding that brake is a very clever way of putting a load on the engine I like that idea and we'll have to replicate something similar I also like the idea of making and using the baker fans!!!
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Getting back to the design and the makers, another good way to slow these speed demons down would be to increase the dead air space inside the displacer cylinder, i.e, the space that is unoccupied by the displacer itself. It's a solvable problem but would require more experimentation. A tiny air valve might also help.
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Another way to slow them down if the pump works well is to pipe the exit water up above the machine to make the pump lift the water. (I have not had any experience with the PM Research/Solar pumps) The exit water would need to spill into a funnel and return tube set at the desired height above the engine.
Similar result can be accomplished by placing a valve on the exit tube and closing it to the desired pressure (speed) is attained.
I have never tried this on an engine this small and I am pretty sure the pumps on the Microcosm Rider Ericssons will not lift water much at all.
Bruce, your brake works exceptionally well. Nicely done..!!
Gil
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"Just wanted to ask, with the brake setup you designed for the Rider Ericcson, did it put any unwanted i.e damaging stress on the engine in your opinion?"
good question Jim, since I haven't run it since I built it...I don't know? every engine is built for a purpose, to power something. most "toy" engines aren't overbuilt for serious work, but to have a engine over revving freely & running wild can also be detrimental to an engine. it would probably be best to control the speed by limiting the fuel, but with these engines that is particularly difficult to do. If I remember correctly, you went about this in a different way, choke up the pump as I recall? how did your engine hold up?
cheers, Bruce
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I wish the makers of these engines, and especially those from China, would make them with a more serious water pump (larger bore, etc.) which I believe would slow them down to a more realistic speed rather than the usual high speed blur.
Bruce's brake is the only small Rider Ericsson that I have seen slowed down.
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I wish the makers of these engines, and especially those from China, would make them with a more serious water pump (larger bore, etc.) which I believe would slow them down to a more realistic speed rather than the usual high speed blur.
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@St Paul Steam
Eight years later Bruce I still often use my braking system to put a load on my engines, but much less now after copying you and making Baker Fans :)
Just wanted to ask, with the brake setup you designed for the Rider Ericcson, did it put any unwanted i.e damaging stress on the engine in your opinion?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7RMZSdgNDM