Well here's the pump working, but I think it is a bit slow so I have ordered a small geared motor to experiment with. It does shift water but I haven't tried it against boiler pressure yet...
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Well here's the pump working, but I think it is a bit slow so I have ordered a small geared motor to experiment with. It does shift water but I haven't tried it against boiler pressure yet...
I have found the video of the Puffer's first test under steam, taken about seven years ago. It sits nicely in the water and certainly looks the part.....
https://youtu.be/6ctx97drOXk
I have found the video of the Puffer's first test under steam, taken about seven years ago. It sits nicely in the water and certainly looks the part.....
Whilst looking for a sight glass sensor I came across this chap, who makes, amongst other things, an automatic boiler controller so I took the plunge and ordered one (don't tell the missus!). The chap that builds them is most helpful, he just spent 20 minutes on a whatsapp video call explaining all the features. It has built in failsafes, and if anything needs attention, either a blue or a red led lights up, these I will route up the mast so they are easy to see. The videos on his website explain all. Once the unit arrives I post photos, videos of the unit in operation..
https://www.denesdesign.co.uk/products/abc-automatic-boiler-controller
Whilst looking for a sight glass sensor I came across this chap, who makes, amongst other things, an automatic boiler controller so I took the plunge and ordered one (don't tell the missus!). The chap that builds them is most helpful, he just spent 20 minutes on a whatsapp video call explaining all the features. It has built in failsafes, and if anything needs attention, either a blue or a red led lights up, these I will route up the mast so they are easy to see. The videos on his website explain all. Once the unit arrives I post photos, videos of the unit in operation.. https://www.denesdesign.co.uk/products/abc-automatic-boiler-controller
It is always interesting to see how other people work out challenges. I think it is one of the things that keep us motivated to dig into things and learn more.
Keep us informed of your progress!
Barry
It is always interesting to see how other people work out challenges. I think it is one of the things that keep us motivated to dig into things and learn more.
Keep us informed of your progress!
Barry
Hi Nick,
If you can get the auto system working reliably that would be the best in my opinion, looking forward to seeing your setup. 👍
Cheers,
Stephen.
I have been making a plan of attack for restarting my Puffer build. The first job is to finalise the boiler feed pump arrangements. Due to lack of space, there is no room in the engine room for a boiler feed pump so early on I decided on an electric servo driven system. I have managed to squeeze engine and boiler in more or less the scale position, a lot of steam driven Puffers have a horizontal boiler in the cargo hold, I have fitted a custom built boiler with minimal physical alteration to the superstructure, I had to raise it 6mm above the deck and slightly alter the funnel position. Back to the bf pump. I bought a high power 360 degree, continuous running servo and used it to drive a small locomotive style feed pump mounted in a 3d printed base. I just need to make the eccentric rod and it's ready to test. I do have a bit of a dilema, to switch on and off with the radio transmitter, or fit an optical level sensor to the warer guage and control the pump with an Arduino nano or similar. Cheddar used to use a similar system on their engine managment unit. I may experiment with both. Short of fitting a camera and telemetry transmitter to watch the guage glass topping up the boiler would be pure guesswork. An automated set up would be the best way I think. I have a 4 inch length of 3 inch copper tube to make a tank, so I will be doubling the capacity of the boiler.
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I have been making a plan of attack for restarting my Puffer build. The first job is to finalise the boiler feed pump arrangements. Due to lack of space, there is no room in the engine room for a boiler feed pump so early on I decided on an electric servo driven system. I have managed to squeeze engine and boiler in more or less the scale position, a lot of steam driven Puffers have a horizontal boiler in the cargo hold, I have fitted a custom built boiler with minimal physical alteration to the superstructure, I had to raise it 6mm above the deck and slightly alter the funnel position. Back to the bf pump. I bought a high power 360 degree, continuous running servo and used it to drive a small locomotive style feed pump mounted in a 3d printed base. I just need to make the eccentric rod and it's ready to test. I do have a bit of a dilema, to switch on and off with the radio transmitter, or fit an optical level sensor to the warer guage and control the pump with an Arduino nano or similar. Cheddar used to use a similar system on their engine managment unit. I may experiment with both. Short of fitting a camera and telemetry transmitter to watch the guage glass topping up the boiler would be pure guesswork. An automated set up would be the best way I think. I have a 4 inch length of 3 inch copper tube to make a tank, so I will be doubling the capacity of the boiler.
