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Author Topic: Kontax Nano Disc  (Read 874 times)

Swift Fox

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Kontax Nano Disc
« on: July 30, 2020, 12:33:47 pm »
Here is a quick video of the Kontax Nano Disc in action:



Very pleased with how smooth and quiet it runs.  ;D
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J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2020, 06:30:44 pm »
Those Kontax Nano’s are amazingly balanced. I think the camera microphone doesn't do the sound justice.  ;)

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2020, 08:25:42 am »
Yes they are and they do have a pleasant sound when running, my camera does a poor job of picking that up TBH.  :-\
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Stoker

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2020, 09:40:39 am »
I too have the Kontax Nano based on the Mason - Guise Stirling cycle, and I'll simply have to agree with everything said ... they are a fantastic little engine with truly impressive operating characteristics.

Recently acquired a low temperature Stirling kit by Inpro Solar, which appears to be a German company that may no longer be in business. I received the kit as a sort of freeby add on to a Solar Engines of Phoenix Arizona group purchase that I managed to work a deal on recently, but I haven't built the Inpro yet .... maybe today?!?!
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Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2020, 11:14:41 am »
Pleased to hear you own one of these engines Daniel, they are good aren’t they!!  ;D ;D

Out of interest how many of Kontax’s engines do you own in your collection?

That Inpro Solar sounds interesting, I’m guessing it is very similar to the Kontax solar offerings?
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Stoker

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #5 on: August 01, 2020, 11:42:49 am »
Pleased to hear you own one of these engines Daniel, they are good aren’t they!!  ;D ;D

Out of interest how many of Kontax’s engines do you own in your collection?

That Inpro Solar sounds interesting, I’m guessing it is very similar to the Kontax solar offerings?

Howdy Philip. I'm afraid the Nano is the only Kontax that I own, but I'd certainly not be adverse to owning others, based on this one's obvious qualities! It seems that the German Inpro Solar low temp Stirling kit may be a bit of a disappointment after looking at it some, but I'll reserve final judgement until after I get it up and hopefully running. It doesn't seem to be as nice a build quality as the Kontax version looks to be, but time will tell.
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2020, 12:46:28 pm »
Quote from: Stoker
Howdy Philip. I'm afraid the Nano is the only Kontax that I own, but I'd certainly not be adverse to owning others, based on this one's obvious qualities! It seems that the German Inpro Solar low temp Stirling kit may be a bit of a disappointment after looking at it some, but I'll reserve final judgement until after I get it up and hopefully running. It doesn't seem to be as nice a build quality as the Kontax version looks to be, but time will tell.

You surprise me Daniel as i thought you would have a few more!! ;D

Shame about the Inpro, i think that is a nudge for you to get one of the Kontax LTD solar models methinks!! ;) ;)
They are currently offering a free glass dome with them ATM, i got one with my Nano.  8)
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Stoker

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2020, 02:49:52 pm »
Well, I've built and run the Inpro Solar low temperature Stirling engine now, and the results are about what I expected. It seems about okay for what it is, which is a mostly plastic (except for the displacement cylinder end caps and screws), low end model that likely sold in the $20-30 range. It has the equivalent of a CD for a flywheel that wobbles a bit, and the foam displacer is captured in such a way that it is hard to get it even and level. It runs at about 120 rpm or so over a fresh hot mug and perhaps double that if you add an ice cube on top. Doubt seriously that it will run from the heat off my hand unless it is a very cold day. It can probably be a bit improved over initial build, by opening it back up and improving the displacer position, or it could be made worse in so doing.

It works and was essentially a freebie, so I guess there's no point in complaining.
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2020, 03:04:04 pm »
I'm glad you got the Inpro LTD engine working Daniel. I do recommend the Kontax ones though, they do cost a bit more but are worth it IMO.
I'm certainly considering another one of their high temp models to go with my Nano Mason.  ;)
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J.Jackson

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2020, 11:26:01 pm »
I'm glad you got the Inpro LTD engine working Daniel. I do recommend the Kontax ones though, they do cost a bit more but are worth it IMO. I'm certainly considering another one of their high temp models to go with my Nano Mason.  ;)
I’ve been fascinated with the Kontax LTD assembled low temp KS90 I purchased after my Nano disc horizontal tungsten. They make a nice pair in my showcase and running in tandem on display.
The LTD mechanical actions are all as smooth as silk, and it truly will run from the heat of my hand. Superb design and build quality.
They are a definite grade level above a “toy” , and they impressed all the M.E. & E.E. and Aerospace engineer friends I showed mine to. The fact that many models come with a free real glass dome case, have free worldwide shipping w/tracking, and some models even offer customized 3 lines of engraving and those Kontax are a real collectors’ value . Higher price yes, but excellent value.

 Sadly it will be very hard for such a quality independent small Machinist & Engineering company to face the mighty onslaught of throw-away level cheap-cheap Stirling toys made by slave and near-slave foreign labor.

I’m now desiring a Kontax Ross or Rhombic , while Kontax still survives.
Yes , Swift Fox —— they are worth it !

classixs

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #10 on: August 02, 2020, 08:41:30 am »
Smooth going solid runner that, and it looks amazing on top...

What´s not to love?  ;D

Congrats on the addition, and thanks for sharing Philip !
Cheers
Jan
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Swift Fox

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Re: Kontax Nano Disc
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2020, 02:32:58 pm »
Glad you like it Jan, this won't be my last Kontax high temp model!  ;D

I'm planning to do one mod to it, that is to swap out the supplied cotton wick and replace it with some glass fibre based stuff.
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