Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Live Steam Locomotives => Topic started by: jerseysteam on April 28, 2019, 12:23:26 pm
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I ran my Dora at an outdoor layout yesterday. I confirmed that it is fitted with the later style gas filler valve (one on the right in Reply#14 above).
Following your reply Dave regarding the reverser valve threaded stud backing out I had a look at mine. Whilst operating the reverser valve the threaded stud & spring retaining nut do not move. Maybe some thread lock/loctite is needed on your threaded stud?
the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack
Whilst waiting for the road on a dogbone layout, I topped up the water. I'm using a new water filler bottle (as supplied by Roundhouse) so have yet to get a feel for how much it actually transfers per pump. So I ended up putting in too much and when I started the loco running again there was a rather large fountain of milky water straight up out of the exhaust pipe - D'oh!
This unedited unlisted video shows what happened to my Dora.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuGATGZWpp8
When I received it from eBay one of the cranks had come off in transit. I have a dodgy crank on my Caradoc (smaller size grub screw) and despite doubling up the grub screw it still works loose after a run or two. I'll need to add check security of the Dora's cranks to my pre-run regime.
Chris Cairns
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Also, the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack, so that is a plus.
The mess is why Ruby has a chuff pipe. :)
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Interesting. All my Ruby chuffer did was shoot the exhaust down into the smoke box and extinguish the burner, making the loco unusable. It ran fine when I put the original pipe back. To be fair, that Ruby had multiple issues, so perhaps a chuffer was never in the cards.
Also, the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack, so that is a plus.
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I can recommend a Summerlands chuffer for the Ragleth, but not the Dora or Ruby. With the Ruby, the chuffer extinguished the burner.
I have a Summerlands chuffer on my Ruby, works fine. To get a good chuff, it needs a good load on the engine.
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I discovered an interesting Dora design flaw. I activated the rotating reversing assembly after she was in steam and it popped off. ??? After letting it cool and a tricky reinstallation due to a stiff spring, I noticed that the threaded rod holding the disc in place loosens when set to forward, so it backs out over time. Adjusting the spring tightness doesn't change anything. It's easy enough to check and tighten every so often or just leave it in forward, but it sure was a pain to put back.
I also installed a Summerlands chuffer, which does virtually nothing sound-wise. $45 down the drain. Installation requires cutting the exhaust, so I'm stuck with it. It's a pressure fit, so I may try rotating to see if that changes the sound. I certainly won't be taking a chance and cutting any of my Roundhouse exhausts. I can recommend a Summerlands chuffer for the Ragleth, but not the Dora or Ruby. With the Ruby, the chuffer extinguished the burner.
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Back in steam.
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Glad the fix seems to have been so simple, but finding the culprit can be a mysterious adventure where the process of elimination can provide an ongoing series of frustrations.
Congratulations on finding a simple solution!
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The new gas can adapter seems to have done the trick. The tank fills normally and Carmela is back in business. Thanks for all of the helpful advice! ;)
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Not sure which version of gas filler valve I have fitted on my Dora, but I'm due to operate the 45mm indoor layout at a Heritage Railway next month, so I'll have a look then I prepare the Dora for running.
Chris Cairns
Thanks! The tank seemed to fill with less fuss with the new gas can adapter. Also less spillover while filling my Ragleth. Heading out for a couple of runs now.
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Not sure which version of gas filler valve I have fitted on my Dora, but I'm due to operate the 45mm indoor layout at a Heritage Railway next month, so I'll have a look then I prepare the Dora for running.
Chris Cairns
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Hello Dave,
I got the gas filler valves from Dave Mees of Abbeybach Engineering - http://www.abbeybach.co.uk/index.htm
He gets them direct from Graham Langer at Accucraft UK. They are also stocked by Anything Narrow Gauge - https://anythingnarrowgauge.co.uk/16mm-accessories/z13gas-filler-valve
I'm surprised that Accucraft USA are still selling the previous faulty valve, but maybe they have not updated the image they use. A fellow modeller had that problem when he ordered a goodall valve for an Accucraft UK loco that I had recommended - he got a different version to the one I received (mine was as the image they were using).
Chris Cairns
Thanks! I have a new gas can adapter from Forest Classics (along with a Mamod SR/TE Bix burner set!) coming today. If that doesn't work out, a new valve is next.
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Hello Dave,
I got the gas filler valves from Dave Mees of Abbeybach Engineering - http://www.abbeybach.co.uk/index.htm
He gets them direct from Graham Langer at Accucraft UK. They are also stocked by Anything Narrow Gauge - https://anythingnarrowgauge.co.uk/16mm-accessories/z13gas-filler-valve
I'm surprised that Accucraft USA are still selling the previous faulty valve, but maybe they have not updated the image they use. A fellow modeller had that problem when he ordered a goodall valve for an Accucraft UK loco that I had recommended - he got a different version to the one I received (mine was as the image they were using).
Chris Cairns
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Interesting. Could you provide contact info for the UK service agent that can provide the valve on the right (assuming you purchased it)? Thanks!
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Sounds like you may have the dodgy Accucraft gas filler valve fitted.
Accucraft UK had lots of problems with the Chinese sourced filler valves failing, so switched to a UK sourced filler valve (do not know if Accucraft USA also used them). These UK sourced filler valves suffered an even greater failure rate (over 75%) so they switched back to a Chinese sourced filler valve.
Unfortunately this was not widely discussed online at the time, so I ended up buying several of those faulty filler valves (with a nice removal tool) off the original manufacturer through eBay UK. I've had 2 of these faulty valves fail so far, and will continue to work through my remaining stock until they've gone.
The faulty valve style is the one in the middle, the one on the left has failed (the plunger dropped down with the bottom fitting & spring ending up in the gas tank. The one on the right is the current style sourced from an Accucraft UK service agent.
I have not run my pre-owned Dora much. I get about 8 - 10 mins on one fill of gas but do need to use a goodall valve to put in some water during a run so it does not boil dry. Unfortunately is loses pressure quite a bit with just a couple of pumps.
Chris Cairns
PS - Cannot seem to post an inline image?
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I did my bi-weekly inspection and reassembly. Works fine now. I wish it was more reliable as I wanted to use it with my 4th graders this week, but don't want to take a chance on it not working. Guess I have to bring the Bertie.
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Try standing the gas canister in warm water for a few min's before filling the gas tank on the engine.
Will do. Thanks.
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Try standing the gas canister in warm water for a few min's before filling the gas tank on the engine.
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Thanks for all of the replies! I prep Dora in my basement (consistent temp +/- a couple of degrees) and then bring it outside. I'll try chilling the tank to see if that helps.
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Did you notice if the problems occur with variations in temperature? Cooling the gas tank might help. Don't hold it in your hand while filling, as this would heat it up.
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I don't know if this will help but I always chill my butane tank before filling and it helps fill the tank
Better ( more full) than without chilling.
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I've had the same problem with different engines. It seems to be the adapter, probably slight variations in the construction of the Ronson valves.
Allan.
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I've got a similar problem with my Roundhouse SR&RL #24 - I solved it by using a different adapter that I bought from Forest Classics for a TE. That shouldn't make any difference as it works the same but it does so it is now specially marked and no problems.
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Worth a try the other thing I have had problems with is the gas can adapter, when I have had a problem filling tank I have tried a different one that came with another engine.
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I guess I'll take it all apart and change the valve again. Thanks.
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I have had the same problem on my Telford have just changed Ronson valve which has sorted it but like you said you have changed it so no help sorry.
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... sorry, kept quoting myself. :-\
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...
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My Dora runs well, but I'm having trouble fueling it consistently. Some days everything works fine. Other days it seems as if there is back pressure from the tank against the butane can adaptor nozzle. Fuel squirts back as if the tank is full, but it isn't. Sometimes it's still empty. I can then use the same can, adaptor and nozzle on a different loco (or multiple locos) and everything is fine. I've been through this routine multiple times. I've changed the Ronson valve several times and made sure there is nothing in the tank or fuel line. I've also let a little fuel escape through the loco fuel valve for a few seconds and then closing off before filling up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
It seems as if the really Dora's small tank can't accommodate the pressure from the fueling system. I've used the same fuel for a year (Coleman). Nothing else has changed.
I'm not sure what to try next.
Thanks,