I purchasaed this small alcohol-fired boiler with the hopes that it would run my Graham Industries VR1A steam engine. This is a small steam engine that runs on fairly low pressure and low volume, so I thought that this little boiler might be the perfect one to make up as a permanent plant. The boiler holds two ounces of water and provides steam for approximately five minutes.
The only major drawback is that there is no shutoff on the boiler, so the pressure won't build up without coming up with a way to close the line until the pressures build up. This problem was solved with a simple pair of forceps. I'm sure I could add a proper shutoff valve and may do that at a later time. But, for now, this was the simpliest solution.
The boiler came missing two O-rings, which I remedied temporarily by using some teflon tape, but O-rings have been ordered. This was allowing the steam to leak out where the boiler tank mounts to the support, and this little unit cannot afford any leaks! Except for these minor problems, I think it will make a very nice workable display, great for taking to indoor engine shows, or maybe even an outdoor show, if there is no wind.
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https://youtu.be/ysuhmKoDdfg
Does a pretty good job feeding that Graham
Will it produce enough heat on one burner, to make it chuff along at a slower pace?
I maybe an idiot but as an experiment can you turn the upright holding boiler 180 degrees on base . Weight base down then try it ?
Why ? You ask .to lower the burners down a bit as i feel the wicks are to close to the boiler .
Apart from it works ok for what you need
Cheers
Dennis
Your forceps have multiple locking positions and could be used as a regulator
Looks like a good match for your Graham.
Have you run that Hero type UFO behind it?
Gil
I maybe an idiot but as an experiment can you turn the upright holding boiler 180 degrees on base . Weight base down then try it ?
Why ? You ask .to lower the burners down a bit as i feel the wicks are to close to the boiler .
Apart from it works ok for what you need
Cheers
Dennis
I think Dennis is right, playing with my stirling engines I have found the tip of the flame to be Much hotter. You may also be able to just put a roughly 1/2 inch or so spacer and longer screw under boiler mount and leave the boiler in the stock configuration but taller. With the height at a better level you may easily find you get longer steam runs on a single optimized burner(like Jan suggest)....just a thought.
Would you mind sharing what the china boiler cost or a link? I have not seen these listed before.
Neat boiler Doug , I've always been curious about those. the Graham runs exceptionally well also, nice build.
I maybe an idiot but as an experiment can you turn the upright holding boiler 180 degrees on base . Weight base down then try it ?
Why ? You ask .to lower the burners down a bit as i feel the wicks are to close to the boiler .
Apart from it works ok for what you need
Cheers
Dennis
I think Dennis is right, playing with my stirling engines I have found the tip of the flame to be Much hotter. You may also be able to just put a roughly 1/2 inch or so spacer and longer screw under boiler mount and leave the boiler in the stock configuration but taller. With the height at a better level you may easily find you get longer steam runs on a single optimized burner(like Jan suggest)....just a thought.
Would you mind sharing what the china boiler cost or a link? I have not seen these listed before.
Or i could just shorten the amount of wick sticking out. A matching spacer under the upright is a great idea as well.
These boilers show up on ebay sometimes but mine came from banggood for $50.
I will look for a link.
Crazydoug
Dont know how to put in the link, but banggood currently has this boiler with an included oscillator steam engine all in 1 unit for $69.
Crazydoug