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Author Topic: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues  (Read 2476 times)

steamwhistle

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2022, 08:46:55 pm »
Well this took a little longer than I expected, but it's back together and ready for a trial run.  I ended up fitting 2 110W cartridge heaters under the boiler.



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steamwhistle

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2022, 08:55:38 pm »
Here are a few pictures of how I mounted the cartridges.  I used aluminum channel and high temp JB Weld to hold them in the channel.  I also used some thermal grease on all the mating surfaces to aid in heat transfer.  Hopefully this setup works.
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St Paul Steam

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2022, 09:20:37 pm »
I hope this works, those cartridge heaters can get red hot and I hope the JB weld is up to the task. Might want to use a variac to start with a lower voltage.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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steamwhistle

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #18 on: June 02, 2022, 09:48:23 pm »
Agreed.  The heater's recommended operating range is 0 - 300 C (0 - 572 F) and the JB Weld is spec'd at 550 F.  I would say a variac is probably more than a great idea.
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komet163b

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #19 on: June 02, 2022, 10:39:27 pm »
Wow...Beautiful job on the restoration.  Very clean.
Very smooth. Very shiny. Very very!

Yes on the variac, or...I use a light dimmer switch of an
adequate wattage capability.  I've heard that boron-nitride,
a sloppy and pasty material, is poured into gaps between
a cartridge and the buffers.  When it dries it enhances
the heat transfer and has a very high temperature limit.
I bought some but haven't had the chance to use it yet.

Good Luck,
Wayne
















 
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steamwhistle

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #20 on: June 03, 2022, 07:50:23 am »
Thanks!  Being a beginner - I find the great folks on this forum to be a big help.  If this setup fails, I may try something using the original steel plate which sandwiched the old element to the boiler.  The problem I found with my boiler (and maybe this is normal), was that the boiler is not a true cylinder.  So it took a bit of trial and error to fit my new elements flat against the boiler for good heat transfer.  That's why I also used thermal grease.

My next question deals with variacs and dimmers - I know a lot of people use them and they're discussed in a many other threads.  I'm going to start a new topic and pose my questions there in hopes that all those great tips can be consolidated for other novices like myself.
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komet163b

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #21 on: June 03, 2022, 11:11:49 am »
I've added a Jensen 35 run video with my dimmer-switch 'throttle'.

https://youtu.be/zoOc3TL7N1U

Have fun!
Wayne
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RichSteamTx

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2022, 10:27:44 am »
Quote from: komet163b on July 19, 2021, 10:08:37 am

....

It's a bit tricky to adjust the trunnion spring, but you'll get it going.

Good Luck,
Wayne

So this must be the little screw/spring for the piston mount - what is the proper "adjustment"?  As I did take this screw off to check things out - which was a PITA to get off and back on again.  I just tighten it down went I put it back on.  I took it off since I though the piston was broken (the seesawing action) before I learned this is how the engine works.

What was the O-ring size for the sight glass? Mine leaks slightly from the top, though the corrosion has me concerned if I could actually get it a part without breaking stuff.  I already messed up my tank after needing to sweat back in the whistle/steam line fitting on the front of the tank.  I don't think I'll ever get that front cover steam fixed that I compromised (pretty sure if I try I'll make it worse).
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Richard

komet163b

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2022, 10:48:43 am »
Good morning from Brooklyn

  Yes, that curved plate that goes over/around the trunion screw
is a real PITA.  I have two 90's, one I intend to customize,
so I cut that curved-portion off to make access easier.  Some
might say it is a sin to do so but I have to please only myself.

  So, the only way to describe how the trunion screw/spring should
be adjusted is, keep trying till you get it just tight enough to
run, and no more.  Running it on air while doing this will avoid
burning yourself on the hot metal.  Get it right, water it up,
plug it in, and away you go.

Good Luck,
Wayne

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RichSteamTx

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #24 on: August 22, 2022, 11:18:51 am »
Hi Wyane, That is a good idea on the air - right now she runs pretty good but makes me wonder if I give that trunnion screw/spring proper adjustment I'll get her to run better.

I just gave my tank a polish and I can now see the front has been repaired in the past.  Perhaps that is why my steam line gave way but I also think I gave it to much wrench too.

Still hoping to hear back on the O-Ring size for the sight glass :-)
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Richard

RichSteamTx

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #25 on: September 04, 2022, 09:53:02 am »
Quote from: Paula on August 01, 2021, 02:26:18 pm



....

 The picture also shows two different springs: one is an original brass spring, and the other is a stainless one from McMaster-Carr, which can be trimmed to length as required.

...
Paula

@Paula - what is the McMaster-Carr part # you used for the spring?  That seems like the one you got is good fit... there are only 1-zillion of them to choose from on McMaster-Carr.  I got a stainless spring kit coming from Amazon but I am not convinced there will be one that will fit around the #6 screw, go up into the Stack's sleeve, and apply proper amount of pressur
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Richard

Paula

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #26 on: September 04, 2022, 10:11:13 am »
Rich, the McMaster number is 1986K314. They are $6.12 for a pack of six.

Paula
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RichSteamTx

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #27 on: September 04, 2022, 10:28:44 am »
Thank you @Paula for the Sunday reply - I have that part number saved away now.  If the Amazon spring kit is a fail, I'll get those.  BTW, did you find they gave the appropriate pull on the seal?

Of the 5 the stacks I have, one only really seals under pressure properly and that has the original spring. The others are either missing parts, broken or steel (rusted) replacements.  I have new #6 brass screws and #91195A120 McMaster-Carr seals for all of them, so many thanks for that part number on the seal.  In theory once these are rebuilt, they should last longer than the original Empire parts.

I am going to be one stack short as it is, though I am not so sure if I'll get the No 90 running - it has been bad luck every step of the way.  The 6mm Borosilicate glass tubing I got off eBay ended up being a perfect fit but I have had to fall on using Teflon tape wrapped around the glass (a suggestion from @komet163b ).  Even if I get it working the tank is going to look fugly with all the soldering I have had to do (but someone did a lot before me - so I don't feel so bad about it).  But we'll see once I get the 110w Cartridge Heaters in, so I haven't given up.


Oh - what did you end up using for a bottom seal?  Nothing that I have bought locally is really holding well (the rubber squishes is too much).  Finding seals with fiber reenforcement has been a bust.  I have these hard paper ones but they aren't so good for the stack.
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Richard

Paula

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #28 on: September 04, 2022, 11:09:39 am »
Hi Rich,

Yes, that's the spring I used on my "Quality Brand" B30. I don't remember if I had to shorten it or not. I think I did. I think the 1" length was too long for the screw I used. Note that the original springs seem to lose compression over time.

I made an adapter fitting to pressure test the safety valve on the B30. It's just a piece of 3/4" hex brass with a 1/4" pipe thread on one end and a 1/8" pipe thread on the other:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

I believe the thread on the stack safety valve is a 1/8" straight pipe thread ("BSPP"), a taper pipe tap will work if you don't tap too deep. With the valve/stack installed, the pressure regulator can be slowly turned up until you just hear a slight hissing from the open end of the stack. Also, you could use liquid soap, or something similar, to detect leakage. I set the valve on my B30 to 25-30 PSI.

Paula
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A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.

RichSteamTx

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Re: Empire No. 90 Restoration - Multiple Issues
« Reply #29 on: September 04, 2022, 11:12:29 am »
Gee, you totally read my mind on how to go about testing these properly - that setup is dope!  What's that seal you are using - I like the looks of it.
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Richard
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