I had placed an order for Wilesco D3 from ministeam, Only because I have this Crazy Modification Idea I want to try. Listing said they had (1) unit in stock, but it was not really there. They had zapped my card for $ and contacted me, they Could refund my $ but hoped I might take a Jensen 85 in the D3 place?
I was fairly ok with that trade, (only disappoint is I can not yet try my Crazy Mod) which leads to my question.
Is the Jensen 85 completely devoid of a steam line? Perhaps I just have not seen a photo from the correct angle to view it, but My suspicion is the steam chest is solder direct to boiler, or perhaps a gasket?
There reason I ask is I would like to add a steam control valve to the 85.
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A fine deal you struck there in my opinion Ben.
The 85 is a WAY better engine than the D3!
No steamline, the steamchest is screwed directly onto the boiler.
But it is very easy to ad a control, as the single exhaustport exits opposite to the cylinder rear end.
Not much magic needed, to ad a valve there restricting exhaust.
Pic from flywheel side:
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My head was not going in that direction, but now I see your photo and ideas, I like it! Thanks Jan.
In my trade we use a ton of air cylinders to move things, we put "flow controls" on the cyl to control speed and prevent violent slam at high pressure. The flow controls meter in one direction, you can meter incoming air OR exhaust air, we Always select meter exhaust air as the cyl will move Much smoother! The piston is seeing full power and we are just slowing it down by making it harder to exhaust. Metering the incoming air can give less smooth motion. A steam cyl is pretty much an air cyl made to take the heat of steam.
Also if I tap a line into the exhaust port, it might be nice to run it down to a tiny bucket or chuff pot to keep condensate from running down boiler.
Thanks for helping me get my head straightened out Jan.
Would be perfect extending the exhaust beyond the valve, to collect all the condensate Ben
Jan is correct , a Jensen #85 a much superior plant than the Wilesco #3 , a control valve can (& has) been done to an #85 as shown in the video , Nick now owns this plant.
https://youtu.be/RDwacIMRhOA
Jan is correct , a Jensen #85 a much superior plant than the Wilesco #3 , a control valve can (& has) been done to an #85 as shown in the video , Nick now owns this plant.
https://youtu.be/RDwacIMRhOA
Great Mods Bruce!
That "Nick" guy....he just "knows" where to go to get the "Good" stuff.
Thanks for sharing!
Remember that one well Bruce, that sure was some cool mods you did there!
However, the steam control on it appears to be a relatively advanced build, compared to inserting a simple premade exhaust valve, which would demand no more than a bit of soldering?
It "looks" like Bruce fitted a rather fancy needle valve to get control...but we will wait for Bruce to tell us what Really happened
I had a question as well, did the boiler have a port for the pressure gauge, or did you "steal" a thread that was a mounting bolt for the Overtype unit Bruce?
My thoughts on restricting the exhaust on an osyilator type engine would be the pent up pressure might make it escape from between the cylinder assembly and the steam chest.
It "looks" like Bruce fitted a rather fancy needle valve to get control...but we will wait for Bruce to tell us what Really happened
I had a question as well, did the boiler have a port for the pressure gauge, or did you "steal" a thread that was a mounting bolt for the Overtype unit Bruce?
You are exactly correct on both assumptions Ben , the pressure gauge replaced the hold down screw for the flywheel frame. I probably had 6-8 hrs in that custom valve , & not sure if I could build it today.
By far imho it's best regulated by controlling the heat source, a 200-300W immersion cartridge heater would do the job nicely.
My thoughts on restricting the exhaust on an osyilator type engine would be the pent up pressure might make it escape from between the cylinder assembly and the steam chest.
Doesn´t happen on Mamods.
Assume it merely is a matter of having a trunnion spring matching that of your safety valve.
I have a Jensen #35 and have wondered why there is no
exhaust choke. The Burnac Vulcan, along with the Mamod SE2,
use a 'choke' as a throttle. The throttle/choke on the
Burnac seems to have a better range than that on the SE2.
The exhaust port exits toward the boiler and the other
side was tapped for the thumbscrew. Screw in to slow
down and out to speed up. I added an end-of-post photo
and YouTube video demonstrating it. Maybe you can mod your
engine and add a choke. You just have cogitate on it a bit.
That's what I tell my wife I'm doing when daydreaming.
https://youtu.be/SRrwuH-0PzUGood Luck,
Wayne
...The Burnac Vulcan, along with the Mamod SE2,
use a 'choke' as a throttle...
Same for the original Mamod TE1 traction engine, and that works really well too