OPITEC, Hot Air Engine.......

• OPITEC, Hot Air Engine.......
  Posted by Stilldrillin on 07 Apr, 2019 16:18
• Hi Chaps.
  
   As many of you know, I have built my own version of the OPITEC, hot air engine kit.....
  
  
  
  
   Used, ball race main and big end bearings. Solid alloy displacer......
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I decided, balancing slots. Instead of holes. In the flywheels.
  
  The piston side was balanced nicely.....
  
  
  
  
  The solid aluminium displacer was too heavy. The engine whizzed around the table top. Like a mad thing.
  
  I inserted a 10mm brass "bead", with a 1mm hole through. This made it jump up n down!
  
  Gradually opening the hole, lightened the bead. Balancing the vibrations to negligible.......
  
  
  
  
  Runs nicely, and smoothly.......
  
  https://youtu.be/pJ-KlmMTI5k
  
  
  All ready for it's first show, on Easter Monday.
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by IndianaRog on 07 Apr, 2019 16:25
• David, that turned out to be a gorgeous piece of work.  Love the adjustable weights within the flywheels and that wooden plinth really sets it off.  Runs like a Singer!!
  
  Roger
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Stoker on 07 Apr, 2019 16:30
• Definitely smooooooooth as glass now ... nice work you've done to get it to this point!
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by Stilldrillin on 07 Apr, 2019 16:40
• Rog, Stoker.
   Thanks for your kind replies.
  It's a good feeling, when it all comes together. And, it actually works, as hoped for. 
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by crazydoug on 07 Apr, 2019 17:31
• excellent work and a great runner. I have only built one hot air engine (1/2 scale essex). It was from a casting kit and still challenged my skill level to finally get it running. I am super impressed!
  crazydoug
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by RedRyder on 07 Apr, 2019 17:55
• David, you've really got that one dialed in!
  
  Your workmanship looks awesome, too!
  
  Thank you for sharing it here.
  
  Gil
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by Jim on 07 Apr, 2019 20:07
• Very nice job on that David and its running so very smoothly.
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• #7 Reply
  Posted by txlabman on 07 Apr, 2019 21:28
• I love it when a plan comes together David.
  
  A great outcome.
  
  Congratulations on an excellent build!
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• #8 Reply
  Posted by kevin on 08 Apr, 2019 06:51
• top quality build as always 
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• #9 Reply
  Posted by Swift Fox on 08 Apr, 2019 09:33
• Nice build David, that is a great smooth runner after the tweaks!
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• #10 Reply
  Posted by classixs on 08 Apr, 2019 13:07
• Great job on that, very well done David !
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• #11 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 11 Apr, 2019 00:59
• David, you are the Best when it comes to building and fine-tuning hot air engines. Thank You for sharing your work with us 
  
  Wish I could join you at the Easter Monday show in person!
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• #12 Reply
  Posted by Stilldrillin on 11 Apr, 2019 16:00
• Thanks for all your kind replies, Chaps!
  
  Most of my show days, are seen by the "ordinary" public, at Papplewick Pumping Station.
   Most of them understand steam engines. But, often, they have never come across stirling cycle engines.
  
  Many are very surprised, how rapidly the expand/ contract cycle  operates.
   This engine, with it's visible displacer, and 1200rpm should answer a few questions.......
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• #13 Reply
  Posted by St Paul Steam on 11 Apr, 2019 18:08
• excellent work they're David, it's so silky smooth and clean and sharp, extremely nice presentation.
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