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Post by spamcanman on Jun 17, 2008 22:34:06 GMT
Hi, I fancy changing my Steam Gauge on my 5" loco it is quite old and looking a bit tatty, it's made by Steam age and 1" in size the pressure measurements go up to 150PSi After looking at all the normal shops, GLR,Blackgates,Polly etc. it seems the new gauges do not have as many psi markings on them like my old one has any ideas   |
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tbsteam
E-xcellent poster
Posts: 231
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Post by tbsteam on Jun 18, 2008 9:01:51 GMT
I have one that goes upto 150 psi, but the markings are 50,100,150 but i think i have one that goes upto 120psi and the markings are 20,40,60,80,100,120.
Both of these are from yorkshire steam supplies.
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Post by baggo on Jun 18, 2008 15:32:52 GMT
The number of divisions does seem to depend on the maximum pressure of the gauge. My 3/4" 0 to 150 on Helen only has figures at 50, 100, and 150 but the 1" 0 to 120 on a test boiler has 30, 60, 90, 120. You could always draw up a new scale on the computer, print it out and stick it on? I was advised to fit a 150psi gauge to Helen by our boiler tester. She runs at 90psi but the 150psi gauge allows it to be left on for the 1½ times hydraulic test without going pop  John |
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Post by circlip on Jun 18, 2008 17:23:13 GMT
Hope your Boiler tester also fits a master pressure gauge John and yours is only left on so as not to break the seal and not used as a reference??
Regards Ian
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simonwass
Part of the e-furniture
Cecil Pagets 2-6-2 of 1908. Engine number 2299. Would make a fascinating model....
Posts: 472
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Post by simonwass on Jun 18, 2008 17:51:10 GMT
I personally would take the little gauge off for a test, only takes a small slip and your relatively expensive gauge will need recalibrating. Only 1 joint to break and a blanking cap for the pipe end. I've even taken out water gauge glass and replaced with a bit of brass bar, encourages me to put in new seals every test day!
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simonwass
Part of the e-furniture
Cecil Pagets 2-6-2 of 1908. Engine number 2299. Would make a fascinating model....
Posts: 472
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Post by simonwass on Jun 18, 2008 17:53:41 GMT
Hi, I fancy changing my Steam Gauge on my 5" loco it is quite old and looking a bit tatty, it's made by Steam age and 1" in size the pressure measurements go up to 150PSi After looking at all the normal shops, GLR, Blackgates, Polly etc. it seems the new gauges do not have as many psi markings on them like my old one has any ideas??? This gauge doesnt look that bad! Dismantle (carefully), polish case, clean glass and reassemble, one 'new' gauge! |
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Post by baggo on Jun 18, 2008 18:21:09 GMT
Hope your Boiler tester also fits a master pressure gauge John and yours is only left on so as not to break the seal and not used as a reference?? Yes, he uses his own gauge ;D He also insists on testing the small pressure gauge off the boiler for every steam test. He's got a very neat little setup just for that. This is because some chap brought a tich to the club some years ago that went like the clappers and nobody could understand why it was so powerful. That is until the pressure gauge was checked. The chap had set the safety valve to the boiler gauge rather than a 'known' gauge and the boiler was actually running at 170psi  No wonder it went well  |
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Post by circlip on Jun 18, 2008 18:27:22 GMT
I knew that this would be your answer John, just clarifying for the newbies who may think that the toy gauges we use are only a rough guide to stop us opening a "Pressurized" can, and also NOT to be used for setting a safety valve to.
Best regards Ian.
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Tony K
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,573
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Post by Tony K on Jun 19, 2008 7:40:32 GMT
Another view - the regs say the gauge should show at least 30% above normal pressure. At 80psi (as indicated by your red mark) this means at least 104psi.
Get a gauge which is the nearest above this (probably 0 - 120). You will then have the maximum amount of the scale in use viewed on the dial - maximising the scale. This will give you the best view. If it gets to 120 you know you are in trouble anyway.
You will have to take the gauge off for testing, but the time taken for testing is small compared with the time in normal use. Carefully checking the gauge off the boiler is my preference, but it really does not matter.
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Post by alanstepney on Jun 19, 2008 8:05:09 GMT
The only point I will add, is that the gauges from Steam Age were quite good quality.
I dont know about the present situation, but a few years ago there was only one maker of model-size gauges, irrespective of where one bought them.
As for Steam Age themselves, they were the last link with the old Bassett Lowke company, who part-owned them. (It was run by Jonathan Minns, who went on to found and run the Brighton Engineerium.)
It is probable that B-L actually made the gauges.
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No wonder it went well 
