KeithW
Active Member
Posts: 29
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Post by KeithW on Aug 7, 2005 8:23:37 GMT
My Speedy, built following LBSC's "words and music" has a mechanical lubricator driven by an eccentric on the leading axle. I would feel a lot happier if it delivered more oil to the cylinders. At the moment, even after running for three hours the oil level in the reservoir has hardly dropped. I've tried replacing the lubricator and adjusting the connection to the arm driving the ratchet wheel but the result is the same.
Is there any way to increase the output of the lubricator other than by increasing the throw of the eccentric?
Keith
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gwrfan
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 458
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Post by gwrfan on Aug 7, 2005 8:59:02 GMT
Hi Keith,
I had a similar problem with my 'Pansy' (LBSC design), but actually found that steam (water) was getting through the clack, and back into the oil reservoir! I thought I would increase the drive length by lengthening the rached drive rod, but, of course that only made things worse, LOL! I have now shortened it, thereby giving a greater drive rod throw, and it now works very well indeed. Don't forget, of course, that if you notch up, you will reduce the drive length, and therefore reduce the amount of oil entering the cylinders.
I also replaced the ball bearing in the clack, which was 1/8 inch with one of 5/32 inches, and that's made a better seal on the clack. I now find I have to fill the reservoir more often than before, I'm happy to say!
Geoff
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Post by greasemonkey on Aug 7, 2005 12:34:06 GMT
HI Keith
Have you got one or two oil check valves in the system? You will find it works much better with two. Notching up will only affect the amount of oil pumped if your lubricator is driven of the valve cross head! In your case being driven of a seperate eccentric it will not make any diffrence at all. I assume you have pumed oil through the pipe and checked it comes out at the far end, and have primed the system before running by winding the pump over by hand. The 3" Burrell I look after has a pump that needs priming like this before running, otherwise it developes an air lock that prevents the oil entering the cylinder.
Andy
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Post by the_viffer on Aug 7, 2005 21:40:30 GMT
Why not use a sight feed lubricator? It is prototypical for your loco. It is also very good. All my (steam) locos have them. Oil supply is not a function of valve travel. When I'm getting ready to stop for the day I put a whole tank of oil through the cylinders to keep everything nice and oily for the next run. Easy to make too so long as you are prepared to bite the bullet and buy the glass for the sight glasses.
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KeithW
Active Member
Posts: 29
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Post by KeithW on Aug 12, 2005 7:21:34 GMT
Thanks for your replies. The single clack seems to be OK but I'm about to put in a second as suggested. If there is no improvement then a sight lubricator will be the next step.
Keith
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