steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Dec 1, 2011 21:36:38 GMT
G'day all I have just installed an endoscopic camera on my lap top. More about it below. This has allowed me to see into my faulty boiler to look at the water side of the firebox tube plate where there is a leak. What I can see is that the solder has penetrated all the way around the tubes so the joints appear structurally sound. Encouraged by this I can now proceed with repair using a Comsol equivalent. On one of the leaking tubes there is a ring of solder about 10-15mm down the tube from the tube plate; I am wondering if this isn't indicative of a lead based solder previously used to seal the joint, the lead having move down the tube when we attempted resoldering with silver solder. BTW The pictures of the area between the two flues looks a bit pronographic or like I imagine an "up skirt" photo would look; my wife commented about porno photos on my computer. I will work out how to post the photos, I am sure somebody will want to see! ;D The endoscope was purchased from Jaycar for whom I have NO commercial or financial association or interest. Note that Jaycar are now established in the UK and i think they do mail order. Maplins etc may well be offering similar items. The kit comprises a camera head, semi rigid "wire" and then flexible connection to a USB plug. Once the software is installed the pictures appear on the lap top screen and both stills and movies can be taken. The head is small enough to fit down a 3/8" copper boiler tube. The cost, just under AUD40.00. Compare this with the boroscope our club boiler inspectors purchased 3 years ago for AUD9,000; it sits in an elaborate wooden box and no one is allowed to use it. I shall cause a stir next club night! Regards Ian
|
|
smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
|
Post by smallbrother on Dec 2, 2011 8:32:59 GMT
Ian - I get the impression the purveyors of the dark arts of boiler inspection will have mixed views on this.
Pete.
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on Dec 2, 2011 9:19:02 GMT
I think it is an excellent tool, and were I inspecting boilers now, would probably buy one. Anything that removes doubt, or confirms suspicions, can only be beneficial.
|
|
isc
Statesman
Posts: 708
|
Post by isc on Dec 2, 2011 10:49:09 GMT
Here in NZ, Jaycar also have a microscope to fit to a computor. isc
|
|
peteh
Statesman
Still making mistakes!
Posts: 760
|
Post by peteh on Dec 2, 2011 12:10:32 GMT
[quote author=steam4ian board=boiler thread=6843 The cost, just under AUD40.00. [/quote]
Ian, Been looking at the Jaycar website and cannot see it - searched for endoscope. Do you have the Jaycar part number.
Cheers Pete
|
|
9F
Active Member
Posts: 49
|
Post by 9F on Dec 2, 2011 12:23:03 GMT
Jaycar. CAT. No QC3383.
Rob.
|
|
|
Post by Phil Sutton on Dec 2, 2011 21:29:50 GMT
Maplins do some thing similar;
see USB Mini Inspection Camera
N41GW £69.99
or
A68KF £79.99 with a handheld 2.4" colour TV screen.
Phil
|
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Dec 2, 2011 21:45:37 GMT
G'day Phil
No doubt the Maplins items are good but watch for the size of the head. I first say a unit in an auto parts shop but I though the head was to big (looked about 1/2") to go through the steam pipe opening in the front tube sheet.
I was in the local Jaycar buying a $2.00 push button for the Club's gate house duress alarm which I have made (assembled actually). By chance I asked about endoscopes and walked out $40.00 poorer in pocket.
Regards Ian
|
|
peteh
Statesman
Still making mistakes!
Posts: 760
|
Post by peteh on Dec 3, 2011 13:58:27 GMT
Thanks for the cat number Stanierblack5
Pete
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Dec 3, 2011 14:57:55 GMT
There's loads of people selling them on Ebay from £20 upwards so I might invest in one Some of them have head diameters as small as 6mm. Don't know if they will be as good a quality image as the 10mm ones though? John
|
|
|
Post by Phil Sutton on Dec 3, 2011 17:58:00 GMT
There are several different ones in Maplins,these were the cheaper ones,Ian,just thought it may take a bit too long to get to Adelaide,and change ££s into A$$s! ;D ;D ;D
Phil
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Dec 4, 2011 8:39:35 GMT
We have one in the club , we use it to inspect steel boilers basically but we will use it for other purposes if needed . It is a good device and now they are reasonably cheap .
|
|
kwil
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 383
|
Post by kwil on Dec 12, 2011 16:51:26 GMT
Going back to the first message. Ian, you suggest that the joint may have been repaired with a lead based solder and that it has migrated down the tube, before resoldering with silver solder? If it has had lead based solder there, any subsequent attempt to use silver solder is doomed as the lead interferes with the silver solder and prevent a proper joint, Is this your trouble (or cause) of a bad joint, inspite of it looking OK?
K
|
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Dec 14, 2011 21:24:55 GMT
G'day Kwil
Thanks for comment. Hopefully I will get time to work on the boiler immediately after Christmas, but then it may be too hot in the shed; always excuses.
I have two letters from the Australian Boiler Code committtee saying that a Comsol equivalent solder is acceptable so i will head down that path. I don't really want to heat the boiler again to silver solder melting point.
I would like to put in a fusible plug but the boiler inspector is not really in favour.
Regards Ian
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Dec 15, 2011 8:08:17 GMT
Ian , why do you want to put a fusible plug ? How big is your boiler ? What benefit will it give ? If the plug let go while you opening the fire door , you will be a very sorry burned person . I believe it has happened , I am not sure of the details . I will never fit one to my boilers . I have been in the club for over 30 years , no one has that , I have never seen a boiler blowing up or melting . Remember plug is very difficult to inspect and maintain and that is the reason for the failure .
|
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Dec 15, 2011 8:34:29 GMT
G'day Shawki
My reasoning is that the space above the firebox is only about 35 mm on a 5" diameter section of the boiler over the firebox, the barrel is 4" diameter. It doesn't take much to prime because the dome and steam collection is over the firebox.
On SASMEE's undulating track there is a real risk of running with low water. A repair with lead based solder, even HMP, will not be as tolerant as silver solder if the water gets low.
I take you point about getting a face full of fire if the plug lets go. I recall this happening on a full sized loco and one person being killed. In that case the whole plug came out with ample water over the crown sheet.
The weight of opinion to date is not to have a plug.
I trust you are getting better and still getting to WDLS.
Regards Ian
|
|