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: komet163b on January 10, 2025, 11:11:16 am

Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: komet163b on January 13, 2025, 03:25:07 pm
  I tried expanding the O-ring a bit by putting several layers
of teflon tape in the O-ring channel to go under and expand the
O-ring a bit.  It seemed to help and the fit was firmer.  When I
added some butane and lit it up, the engine burner worked ok but
there was still a little bit of flameup around the valve.  It might
have been worse if it was a complete fill-up.

  Now, I'm out of butane.  That will slow me down a bit which often
times is a good thing.

Wayne
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: komet163b on January 13, 2025, 10:39:53 am
  Just got a message from Jin - a package is on the way.
I have not asked what was in it.  I hope it has a bunch
of O-rings and a new needle valve - preferable with a
second O-ring groove machined in.  That is what I asked
for.  I would not be surprised if he sent the whole tank
and valve assembly.  If nothing else, at least the bunch
of O-rings.

  Now, I'm steaming my Weeden 670.  Very reliable and it
will run very slowly and quietly.

https://youtu.be/SY4-CvYtXOE

Happy steaming,
Wayne
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: Steamloco on January 13, 2025, 09:44:22 am
I've had two tanks leak around the valve stem. Only fix I could figure out was to replace them with Bix tanks. Problem solved.
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: Jim on January 12, 2025, 09:18:16 pm
I did this to show someone on YT ALWAYS have the torch lit and on the burner before turning the gas on -

https://youtube.com/shorts/8ZJHIFi-3ro
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: RedRyder on January 12, 2025, 09:14:51 pm
I have had the same issue come up.

I found I could usually get it lit with a low flame and that while it was leaking at the needle valve there were no big flare ups. If I got a match near it, a small flame would ignite. I have had 3 of them do this.

I hope someone comes up with an easy fix. I would be interested.
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: Jim on January 10, 2025, 11:05:40 pm
Be interested to see what they say Wayne, enjoyed chatting to you mate on YouTube  :)
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: komet163b on January 10, 2025, 05:00:22 pm
Tiny, tiny, tiny.  New o-rings are what I need and if DJsteam does not send me o-rings it will
not be good for their reputation.  I'll then go with the watchmakers selection of teensy, tiny o-rings.

Alcohol is best and grain alcohol is king!

Waiting to hear back,
Wayne
Title: Re: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: St Paul Steam on January 10, 2025, 03:42:08 pm
can't you just go to the hardware store & pick up one, actually...harbor freight has an assortment compartment type box of them, I just bought some (all sizes)
Title: Rider Ericsson Hot Air Engine - Bummer dangrous new problem
Post by: komet163b on January 10, 2025, 11:11:16 am
  The saga continues - the engine is now officially dangerous.

  Well, the pumping problem is fixed but now the butane tank is a bomb.
The needle valve works and will shut of the butane flow, but now butane
leaks past the needle valve o-ring and ignites in a cloud of flame.
Maybe there should be more than one o-ring.  I tried teflon tape to
no avail.

  So I sent a message describing the problem and asked for new o-rings
(should be cheap, so send a dozen or so) and a new needle valve (just
in case).  Maybe one that would have grooves for 2 or even 3 orings. 

  I'll update this when I hear back from DJsteam and then when I try
the new o-ring(s). 

Bummed in Brooklyn,
Wayne