Filling up hyrodstatic lubricator Lubricator

[monkeyhero97]

Hi there
On my simplex, I have a hydrostatic lubricator, which, although apparently they are better than mechanical lubricators, I cannot get to fill up. The previous owner and builder said that I would need to make an 'oil gun' to fill it up. Following advice on here, I bought a reilang oil can, and I was hoping it would do the trick, but I was wrong, I am still unable to fill it up. I have made sure the tip of the oil can goes in the filler hole, yet I as soon as I pump, it becomes extremely tough to use, and when I remove the oil can, bubbles of oil form and all that went in comes out. I have tried to fill it up while draining the water, and with the drain cap open, but no sucess.
Has anyone had similar experinces and have any solutions?
Cheers
Marc

[jma1009]

hi marc,
i have used a reilang oil can for over 25 years for steam oil and used it to fill displacement tanks with filler caps varying from 1/4" thread to 1/2" thread with never the slightest problem.
as for it being 'extremely tough to use' has the can and oil got cold, or have you brought it indoors first to warm up?
you need to add a firm but gentle constant pressure on the handle - do not try and pump the oil too quickly - take it slowly, and direct the jet of oil onto the side of the tank. allow the air to escape by the side of the nozzle as you pump the oil.
you will soon get the hang of it!
perhaps try pumping the oil into a small glass bottle with a narrow neck till you get the hang of it. you can then at the same time see what the oil is doing.
cheers,
julian

[monkeyhero97]

That might be a problem, the oil is kept in the garage, so not heating. I'll report back to see if I have any sucess
Thanks
Marc

[Deleted]

Marc, could you please provide us with a pictorial sequence of the problems you are having? If you were to photograph every single part of your methodology up to and including your problems we may have more of an idea how to assist. I.e. Give us a step by step photo method of how you fill and operate your lubie

Cheers
Ben

[steam4ian]

Marc

What I do with a little displacement lubricator on one of my GG locos which is a beggar to fill. I open the top and apply the oil to it in a squeeze bottle. I then open the drain and squeeze in the oil until oil replaces the water escaping from the drain.

Ian

[Shawki Shlemon]

I only use displacement lubricators on my engines, one per cylinder . I fit three fittings to the tank ,top one to the valve chest , a bottom one for drain and filling , a third one VENT either on top if accessible or at the bottom with stand pipe inside . All my fitting are 1/4-40 male to take a pipe or a female cap , mine are just like pipe end with solid tail . To drain I open the vent then the drain , sometimes may need a soft tab on the tank , drain all water then connect an oil can with a plastic tube extension and a 1/4- 40 fitting to the drain and pump oil until it comes out of the vent , the tank is full , cap the drain and vent .

[peterseager]

I always refill the tank imeadiatly after a run when it is still warm. Simple procedure.

Remove filler cap
Open drain valve and wait until the water is drained and oil emerges then shut it
Fill with oil.
Replace filler cap

I have a 3/8" x 32 filler so perhaps that makes it easy but you have to carefully put the oil in whilst allowing the air to escape. I use an ordinary pump action oil can, nothing fancy with the oil at ambient temperature.

Don't forget to shut the steam and oil valves for the lubricator when you finish running.

Peter

[Deleted]

Hello all------------ just thought you might like to see the "Displacement" lube. as fitted on my Maxitrak 0-4-0T Swallow loco ?? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[monkeyhero97]

Thanks for all your posts. Alan, your lubircator defintely seems more simple than mine, I'm having a lot of troubles with mine, but.... at the end of the steam up today, I managed to fill my tank up, not issues whatsoever! Seems like with the tank being warm it defintely helps

Now the operation of it was a different story, I had the same problems as last time, the oil would hang to the sides on the right glass. On the left, the oil would stay at the bottom of the glass, only when it was really full, would a massive drop of oil float up. Lots of oil was coming out of the chimney, so it was 'working' but when the oil needles were turned to their normal level, no drops whatsover. I never had any problems before the sight glass removal. It's strange, because there is no steam leaks around the lubricator, only around the steam valve but that was like it before. Here is a video of the glasses.

Cheers

Marc

drive.google.com/file/d/0B347TLiQDISLSExLUUxNNkN6Y1E/view?usp=sharing

[jma1009]

hi marc,
ive watched your video clip.
you are being far too 'ham-fisted' with the needle valves. they need very delicate gentle small adjustments leaving the thing to settle down between adjustments.
cheers,
julian

[Andrew C]

I found that I only needed to turn the needle valve about 1/4 to1/2 turn to get it right it is I think a 4 ba thread. You only need two or three drips per minute at most else you end up wearing most of the excess

When filling. I have used a brass rod pushed into the top of the tank and run the oil down that. Remember not to block the hole it will throw oil everywhere when the air wants out


Andrew

[Deleted]

Hi Marc-------- I agree with Julian and Andrew...... As Cadbury is a new loco to me I phoned Maxitrak to seek advice re}--- lubricator setting... They said "For a new or running-in engine then it's 2 turns out.... After that then a MAX of 1 turn.."......... Drain and re-fill at the end of each day's running when it's hot....REMEMBER, REMEMBER, REMEMBER ---- This is NOT lubrication as in your car engine ie}----- lots of oil slopping around the system, but more like an old 2-stroke where you have oil and Petrol mix.....only here you have Oil and Steam mix, and in very small amounts at that so it's like a fine mist when entering the steam chest...........

[monkeyhero97]

Yes, I do know this......
As I said, I got them working perfectly before, a drop every 5-10 seconds ( small droplets) but after the liquid change, no luck whatsoever. As I said, when I turn them like they should be, nothing happens. It was only untilI I opened them maybe 1 whole turn ( normal its around 1/8 of a turn for me) that the oil was realesed from the bottom of the glass for the left sight glass. On the right, the oil hugs the side of the glass, rather than forming drops.
Surely it must be the glycerine, as before with the solution of Epsyum Salts, Glyerince and Fairy Liquid I had no problems, but then I do not have any knowledge in this domain. What I got what this:

[monkeyhero97]

drive.google.com/file/d/0B347TLiQDISLTzRTVTdlWWp2a2s/view?usp=sharing



Cheers

Marc

[peterseager]

The liquid in the sight glass does effect the oil bubble. The instructions that came with my system said mix 50ml saturated Epson Salts solution with 50ml glycerene and thats what I use.

Peter

[Andrew C]

Hi Marc

I have only ever used brine. water with as much sea salt in it as it will take.

As you are having problems I would be inclined to to drain the tank. Then take it and the sight feeds off, dismantle as much a possible and give it all a good clean to get all trace of old oil and glycerine out even perhaps flush it through with some paraffin meth or something (Remember to rinse it properly afterwards) Reinstall and refill with clean glycerine and oil.

Regards,

Andrew