Simplex on gas

[Barneydog]

Hi guys,
I am partway through building a Simplex and at the point of building the boiler. I have just found out that I have a breathing condition that may stop me running my loco on coal because of the smoke. Is it possible to fire it with gas burners? I am leaving the boiler while I investigate this as it may be the firebox or tubes may need a redesign. Has anyone any experience​ of doing this especially on a simplex or similar. I gather many locos in America are gas fired. Any ideas and especially any plans gratefully received.

Thanks

Julian

[crueby]

Lots of the gauge 1 sized locos here are butane fired, I am building my Lombard that way too. Burners and gas tanks are available from manufacturers like Roundhouse for that size. Your Simplex is a larger size though isn't it?

[Barneydog]

It is 5" guage. Boiler is 18" long and 4 3\4" diameter. Runs at 110psi max

Julian

[Barneydog]

Hi guys,
Looking at the "Marty" burners. They look a good choice and should be able to fit eight in the firebox. Has anyone built these burners? Going to run on propane.


Julian

[Steamer5]

Hi Julian,
 On a boiler that size you shouldn't have too many problems. One of the guys here in NZ had his 71/4 3 truck Shay gas fired, the trolley behind the loco had 3 or 4 20lb LPG bottles on it. Sorry don't know what he was using for burners, but it went very well. There is also several guys down in Wellington who have this down to a fine art, maybe Bruce, or James know them & can get info for you.
Have read good things about the Marty burners so you would most likely be off to a great start using them. 

Keep us posted.

Cheers Kerrin

[Chipmaster]

Hello Julian,
I recently made six Marty burners and referred to them in my 'Vertical Coal Fired Boiler' thread. Here's a YouTube video of them,
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04jbyZ7Dio" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04jbyZ7Dio</a>

Close ups of one my Marty burners, I achieved a slightly better flame pattern with domed burners
WP_20170501_16_35_45_Pro by Andy, on Flickr
WP_20170501_16_36_20_Pro by Andy, on Flickr

I used a Proxxon cutter to cut the slots
WP_20170503_16_01_26_Pro by Andy, on Flickr

Andy

[Barneydog]

Thanks Andy.
They look the Dogs B's. What size jet did you drill?  What size air hole did you drill? Is that full propane? What sort of heat are you getting?
I like the look of them so will try some in the next few weeks. Will log the build and tests here.

Julian

[Chipmaster]

Hi Julian,
I followed the plans copied from the internet and used a number 71 ~ 0.026" for the jet having annealed the brass first, the air hole is 1/4".
RDG sell No 71 drills @£5.94 for ten, one bit drilled six jets for me without breaking.

My burners are fuelled with propane at 5 psi in the video, they also work very well at higher and lower pressures. Although I haven't used the burners to fire my boiler yet I reckon they will be more effective than a coal fire. I demonstrated them at our Black Country Live Steamers club meeting last month and they were heating up the room !

Andy

[Barneydog]

Many thanks for that info.



Julian