|
Post by stantheman on Jun 18, 2007 6:24:53 GMT
Would anyone out there care to give their views on the fluid that is preferable to use in Hydrostatic Lubricators. A friend has asked the question 'what should he use', no that is true, it is a friend, I still use mechanical. Something moving I can see working! Stan.
|
|
|
Post by jgb7573 on Jun 18, 2007 7:51:58 GMT
Steam oil - exactly the same as in a mechanical lubricator.
You should choose the oil for the job it has to do (ie lubricate cylinders under steam pressure and temperature) and then choose an appropriate delivery mechnism. In our sizes both mechnical and hydrostatic lubrication are plenty good enough.
Have fun.
|
|
|
Post by chameleonrob on Jun 18, 2007 8:09:33 GMT
is that which oil to use or which fluid to use in the sight feed glass so you can see the oil dripping though it?
rob
|
|
|
Post by mutley on Jun 18, 2007 8:10:39 GMT
Hi Stan I presume your friend is asking about what fluid to use in the sight glass! Glycerine is the traditional choice and can be obtained from a chemist. Some people use salt water but salt and water isnt usually a good mix near metal!! Any other suggestions?
Andy
|
|
|
Post by stantheman on Jun 18, 2007 10:18:41 GMT
Thanks for the replies so far, yes I did not make it clear I was asking for the liquid in the sight glass, thanks for making me aware of the error.
Would the glycerine be as purchased or diluted. I seem to recollect some wag at one time saying he used one of the chemicals (?) used for photographic processing. He has long since departed so I can't question him again.
Thanks anyway.
Stan
|
|
|
Post by mutley on Jun 18, 2007 10:23:01 GMT
Hi Stan As it comes! Never heard of using processing chemicals!!
Andy
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jun 18, 2007 10:27:08 GMT
I only use static lubricators on all my engines and very happy with them without condemning the mechanical . I use them because there is no moving parts and they work fine and I can see them working from my driving position by the colour of the chimney and sometimes by the oil coming out of the chimney too . One filling will do me for a day running without refill . I use light steam oil and the size of the jet controls the oil flow , once determined no further action is required .Every person has his/her opinion but I prefer static lubricators over mechanical , they work fie for me , I have sold few engines and non of the buyers has complained about lubrication .
|
|
|
Post by jgb7573 on Jun 18, 2007 11:35:43 GMT
Reminds me of the time I got down to the club one sunny Friday evening straight from work to find a friend of mine steaming his vertical boilered De Winton for the first time. Now Pete is one of these people who really enjoys building things and tends to lose interest once the job's done. So I'd had lots of fun driving his Hunslet for passenger hauling in the past. I'd also provided a second pair of hands when he built his boiler for the De Winton. So once he'd had a couple of laps to prove the thing worked, he handed it over to me to give it a run. It certainly went OK, though firing proved a bit of a fiddle (the fire hole door in the floor opened onto a chute into the botom of the firebox and the chute tended to block). All was well for three of four laps when somthing went wrong with the steam feed to the hydrostatic lubricator. I'm not sure quite what happened, but the end result was that the steam oil and most of the glycerine went through the cyinders in one great gulp and then straight up the chimney. Having suitably escaped it rained down on the driver in his second best work shirt. Many comments were made around the club that evening, some of them quite hurtful , but you couldn't get the grin off my face!
|
|
|
Post by havoc on Jun 18, 2007 18:40:21 GMT
There are some that are convinced that the good working of the lubricator can be assesed by stroking the driver through the hair. Or polishing his head, depending...
|
|
|
Post by Peter W. on Jun 18, 2007 18:50:59 GMT
Shawki -- where can I find out details of static lubricators ?
|
|
|
Post by houstonceng on Jun 18, 2007 18:53:16 GMT
'cept that it don't work on real loco drivers 'cos us drivers wear "oil-top" 'ats - ya knows.
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jun 19, 2007 10:40:41 GMT
I am sure static lubricator were described in ME in the past , but simply it consist of a tank basically a copper tube say 1 1/4 " dia with both ends sealed with silver soldered sides 3/16 thick copper or gunmetal, the length of the pipe to your choice . silver solder three bushes ,two on the top ( one connects to valve chest though a jet Say no 70 drill size and the other is a vent with a blank) and one the bottom for draining and filling with a blank too . I usually fit one for each cylinder to verify if one is not working .The comment of all the oil coming out in one lump , it can happen for two reasons one ,the size of the jet is too large and/or one apply a sudden full regulator open .Open the vent and drain the water will drain until oil start to come out , then connect oil can to the drain and pump oil in until comes out of the vent , tank is full close both vent and drain and all is ready to go . Mount the tank in concealed area but accessible .You can mount it vertical or horizontal but the outlet to the cylinder must be on the top of the tank and the tank not higher than the cylinder .It is a pressure vessel and therefore must be built well .One can add sight system to it but it is not necessary .
|
|
|
Post by Peter W. on Jun 19, 2007 11:02:54 GMT
Many thanks for typing in the details.
The 'no moving parts' really appeals. It will be a while yet before I'll need it, but I'm getting prepared !
|
|
|
Post by stantheman on Jun 19, 2007 16:46:04 GMT
Hi again, while this thread is getting away from the main point in asking, I still look to see what is being written. Further to my own comments recently about the use of chemicals as used in photographic processing, I have today found that the 'chemical' in question is in fact the wetting agent some photographic processors used when developing their prints. Used diluted in the water in the sight glass to enable the oil to flow through smoothly without emulsifying.
So that just about completes my original question and answer session, thanks a lot everyone for your ideas.
Stan.
|
|
|
Post by spurley on Jun 19, 2007 17:03:10 GMT
Hi Stan
During my time on full sized SECR locomotives; P, C & H classes, fitted with Hydrostatic Lubricators we used to put a small piece of ordinary soap in the water glass at the begining of each day. This was about the size of a fingernail off your little finger. This would obviously need to be scaled down depending upon the size of the lubricator. The water would go slightly cloudy but the oil feed could easily be seen and the oil wouldn't stick onto the glass. Larger lubies, Detroits, on the U and Schools class didn't seem to need this palarvour to keep clear!
Sorry for the delay in this answer, soap's probably cheaper and more easily available than photographic chemicals?
Cheers
Brian
|
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Jun 24, 2007 23:30:58 GMT
G'day All. A Question from a beginner. The displacement lubricators of the Rosco pattern seem have a single steam/oil line from the lubricator to the cylinders. This has to operate as a two way system. By reports this simple system works for Blowfly.
Displacement/Hydrostatic lubricators for 12"/Foot scale locos and traction engines have a separate steam line feeding into a condenser and separate oil lines. The condenser is important as it is the condensate which displaces the oil. The oil lines appear to be arranged for gravity feed. Is this latter form what you are discussing here? To my understanding the two line system with condensing would minimise the surges of oil that occcur when the regulator is closed; the over pressure could return by the steam line. Am I correct in this assessment?
One good turn deserves another. Regards, Ian
|
|
|
Post by teakfreak on Jun 25, 2007 22:20:42 GMT
Please can someone suggest sizes for a displacement lubricator for a small single cylinder stationary engine (3/4" x 1" ) - or better still help me out with a drawing?
Thanks in advance!
|
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Jun 26, 2007 7:02:16 GMT
G'day Teakfreek.
As you will see by my previous post I don't claim to be an expert. Your post prompted me to look through my files as I recall having a typical design. No luck I'm afraid. What I have seen is a vertical tube with a screwed filling cap at the top and a small screw providing a drain at the bottom, this forms the oil reservoir. The steam line to the engine passes horizontally through the tube about 3/4 up. The connection between the steam line and the reservoir is through a small hole drilled in the steam line. Some designs use a single hole at the top and some drill through. The idea is that the steam enters the top of the reservoir and condenses falling to the bottom and lifting the oil to the steam pipe where it flows in. The hole diameter controls the oil flow and some designs include an adjustable needle in the hole. The volume of the reservoir appears to be about the same as the cylinder. However that for "Sweat Pea" is only 3/8" x 1" but Blowfly is a whopping 2" x 1.5" for roughly the same size loco. Both of these designs use only a single tube entering the side of the reservoir with a needle valve adjustment, gravity feed would be important. Google "Sidestreet Bannerworks" "Loco of the month" to see some guage 0 and 1 locos and their lubricators.
Always ready to share my ignorance AND be corrected. I'm married, I'm used to being wrong!
One good turn deserves another. Regards, Ian
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jun 26, 2007 10:15:40 GMT
Hi As I explained above the static lubricator is a simple (pressure ) tank connected to the valve chest by a tube from the top of the tank through an orifice to control flow .The oil is fed to the valve chest by pressure , gravity is not required , all other fittings are for convenience , the size go for whatever you like . I built 21 engines , all are lubricated by static lubricator and work well .Use light steam oil . No drawing is required , make your own to suit your model and place it wherever you like , I place mine below cylinder level to avoid siphoning action .
|
|
|
Post by jgb7573 on Jun 26, 2007 10:35:30 GMT
Take a look in the 'Stationary Engines' section of the board. There's a thread called 'Displacement Lubricator' (last updated July last year) where Tel gives some simple instructions for one very like Shawki's. I made one like that and it works a treat.
|
|