Robinson Revisited.......

[Stilldrillin]

Thanks Nick! 
The tank looks better, now it's pickled and polished......

Bill. Thank you! 

Two years ago, I ran it several times. Using a treacle tin.......

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx4MsDvT55A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx4MsDvT55A</a>


Never gave any trouble! As, hot water will always rise...... And it can, in one of the pipes.....

I even, also ran a low temp engine, sitting on the top of the can.

David  D

[b.lindsey]

Well as they say David, the proof is in the pudding...and it obviously works in that video. This really is a fascinating engine to watch with its unique linkage to the displacer and piston!! 

Bill

[arnoldb]

The Mrs. will be a treat to see once done David; she's REALLY looking good so far 

Can't wait for the final video 

Kind regards, Arnold

[fcheslop]

Nice runner David. The Westbury one is still in disgrace under the bench :lolb:Whats next
cheers

[Stilldrillin]

Thanks Bill!
Shouldn't be too long now, before I prove the thermo syphon system.

Thanks  Arnold!
Video, sometime. Will try to include a blackbird soundtrack. 

Frazer.
Thanks! I'd forgotten the Westbury! 
Next? I think that will have to be the Maiwald, don't you! 


Assembly time! 

I'm not sure how hot the burner body will get, under there. Don't want any charred wood!

So, I decided to stand it on 3 wood-screws......




Gas tank, with it's operating lever........




And the assembly, assembled......












Busy, for the next few days. Video, eventually.

David D

[b.lindsey]

David, I think the wood screws under the burner is a wise decision. I did something similar with the burner for the Rider-Ericsson but added the screws to the bottom of the burner body instead. Same end result however, and so far haven't had any problems with the screw heads melting or burning into the varnished wood base that the burner (and engine) are mounted to. The finished pictures are wonderful....what a transformation from when you started the restoration!! 

Bill

[NickG]

You must be well chuffed with that David, by far the best Robinson I've seen.

[Stilldrillin]

Bill, Nick. Thanks for your kind words, and encouragement. 


So.........
Yesterday, I fired up. At the start of a full heat test run. Away she went, running nicely, as usual. 

Time to fill the cooling system. Using a 5% mix of Shell Supercut-Plus, instead of the previous Bluecol top up mix....... 





A couple of minutes later, the well remembered water boiling sounds started. And she stopped.   
This proves, once again. Stirling Principle engines will not run on steam!   

Removing the thumbscrew, and extracting the stainless steel air tube, revealed smears of coolant.
The fluid must be leaking up the outside, and into the power cylinder.   

I machined 3off, 5thou deep recesses, into the tube's o/d. To hold the Hylomar, and seal between air tube and brass tube's bore.

Then I fired up the burner several times, spinning the engine to allow it to breath, and dry out.
Left the system open, and this morning all was well.   

Generous application of Hylomar sealed it, as hoped.


Set up, in the kitchen. Not a particularly good idea, so I was informed....... 

But all went well, during a half hour run.......




Observations.

The thermo syphon system worked very well. (Bill).

The burner system is too on/ off. Also, needs a smaller diameter, more concentrated flame.

Smoke from under the feet, indicated things were getting much too hot. Couldn't touch the underside of the base wood! 

The copper chimney got a bit warm, too.......




I'm going to try this choke ring, next. Failing that, it's a new rose, with a smaller drilled area.......




Must look for a No 3 jet......

David D

[derekwarner]

David.....a little off thread .....I also have a BIX manufactured gas tank..........may I ask why you changed the as-built needle valve hand wheel to the lever format?.........Derek

[fcheslop]

Hi David, glad to see you got over the water leak.
You should know by now not to upset the powers that be 
I may have some bits of machinable ceramic to make heat resistant stand offs for the feet.Just ask
cheers

[b.lindsey]

Glad to hear you got things sorted out David. It does look like there is a bit too much heat, but hopefully the choke will help in that regard.

Bill

[Stilldrillin]

Derek.
Those tanks and valves are made for powering boilers. Running full on, mostly.
I need to be somewhere between "just lit", and "just hear it hissing". Around 1/8 of a turn.
I've altered the needle taper, to give finer control. But, it doesn't make much difference! A lever makes tiny valve adjustments easier.

Frazer.
The Power that Is..... Is still grumbling about, "stinking the house out".  Strange things wimmin! 

Bill.
Thank you. Some more steps in the right direction. It's all an experiment!

David D

[Inky Engines]

David

Brilliant.   Another amazing restoration with the usual captivating log.

The base looks familiar - I got mine from the Co-op, but unfortunately will have to look elsewhere for the next one!

Kind regards

Geoff at Inky Engines

[Stilldrillin]

Hi Geoff.
Thanks for that! 

The base? I got 2 from Staveley Factory Shop. It's worth checking in there, occasionally!




The first one, made a 7" dia base, for the Gold Blend engine......



David D

[Inky Engines]

David

Thanks for the advice.  You got a bargain - maybe that's why my Stow Green chopping board supplier is closing down!

Mine carries Elmer's Factory and Mill Engines



Kind regards

Geoff at Inky Engines