Author Topic: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump  (Read 62115 times)

Offline Giraldus

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #135 on: December 19, 2013, 08:58:47 PM »
Hi Florian,

thanks for this detailed description. So you replaced the valve balls by that plunger ? I'm wondering about the size of these parts compared to the original balls  :thinking:

Greetings

Gerd

Offline Florian Eberhard

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #136 on: December 19, 2013, 09:10:18 PM »
Hi Gerd

Yes, exactly, I used those plungers instead of the original balls.
The balls have a diameter of 5/16 inch which is about 7,9.... mm. Those plungers have 8mm as biggest radius. 5mm on the guiding extension (with the cutouts - they are made with a 3mm cutter by the way) and 6mm on the rear. That extension on the rear does limit the plunger stroke to in about one millimeter.

Florian


Offline Florian Eberhard

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #137 on: December 19, 2013, 09:28:47 PM »
So let me tell you something about that lubricator:

There is a tube in that "cup" so the steam enters it on the top. (just like a "conventional" displacement lubricator) However, the oiler has its connection to the steam pipe at the lower end.
I have to make a bleeding valve as every displacement lubricator needs it. For this, I am going to solder a little piece into that hole, that is just beeing made with an endmill.
Solderd together - I had to solder in two steps. After soldering and pickling, I machined the "oil cup" to get the seam cleaned up.

The bleeding valve spindle is solderd together from two pieces. It is bored hollow until 1mm before the tip to let the water pass through.
The almost finished lubricator with a ruler, so you get an idea of its size.
The handles for the plug on the top and for the adjusting valve have beend made from boxwood aswell. Well - the lubricator is almost done - if not one of those :cussing: handles cracked. So I'll have to make another one...   :shrug:

BUT not today - see ya!
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 09:08:06 PM by Florian Eberhard »

Offline swilliams

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #138 on: December 19, 2013, 10:11:23 PM »
The lubricator looks great Florian. Very nice job

Steve

Offline Don1966

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #139 on: December 20, 2013, 12:52:50 AM »
The lubricator looks great Florian. Very nice job

Steve
I agree very nice job Florian

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #140 on: December 20, 2013, 12:57:49 AM »
Beautiful job Florian!

I love to see these wonderful silver soldered fabrications.

Dave

Offline steamer

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #141 on: December 20, 2013, 02:13:06 AM »
That's gorgeous Florian....want to make one for me? :ROFL:

Dave
 
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline gbritnell

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #142 on: December 20, 2013, 05:19:57 AM »
What a great job on the lubricator. Your soldering work is beautiful.
gbritnell
Talent unshared is talent wasted.

Offline Florian Eberhard

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #143 on: January 14, 2014, 10:01:23 PM »
Thank you everyone! And no, I didn't forget to get you updatet, just needed to find some time to continue writing.

Well, the lubricator is ready, next part was the main steam valve:

After thinking about how to make the valve and the fittings for joining the valve and the lubricator with the steam chest, I decided to make it as one part. And this is the Idea:
I first machined the main body(sorry for the blurred picture - the Autofocus didn't want to see what I wanted to take a picture of  :insane: ), everything is coming along well.
I always put quite enough flux for soldering - I learned that this makes soldering a lot easier. After soldering and cleaning it, thats how it looks on the pump now. I also machined the valve spindle in the meantime. And hat is the lubricator-main-steam-valve unit finished.

Here we go, the oiler, main steam valve and therefore the pump are ready for steam!:

Now this is time for the first steam up of my pump!
Went out, heated up the boiler and tried. The pump hesitantly started running. Then I connected it to the boiler and NOOOOOO. The pump did not move  :rant: :hammerbash:

Well, there was a "wait a second" in my head. Someone (here?) told me that silicone O-rings will expand under heat. In fact, the pump could only be moved hard, with quite an amount of force.
So I stopped the whole thing, took the pump back to the shop and removed that o-ring. Instead, I made a piston packing with teflon tape.
Went back up and tried again. The pump was running smoother now and semed to be right. But no, the water wasn't pumped  to the boiler, no chance.  :facepalm:  :shrug:
Well, you have to start somewhere and I mounted a pressure gauge to the connection between boiler and pump.
That showed the pump doing 5 bar with only 2 bar boiler pressure.  :thinking:

And thats when I immediately had the Idea that the clack valve could be the evil part of the system.
And yes, indeed it blocked somehow (don't ask me how, I still couldn't figure out how).
I modified it and reduced the ball stroke and there we go:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op6IKp-x9wM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op6IKp-x9wM</a>

 :whoohoo: :whoohoo:

Cheers Florian
ps: Not much left now, Cylinder cladding, valve rod stroke limiting screw, base mounting holes.
Final assembly with using liquid gasket. And maybe a paint job.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2017, 09:15:52 PM by Florian Eberhard »

Offline steamer

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #144 on: January 14, 2014, 11:18:21 PM »
Awesome!.....Well done man! :ThumbsUp:

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #145 on: January 14, 2014, 11:42:17 PM »
Very nice!


Dave

Offline Don1966

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #146 on: January 15, 2014, 02:14:46 AM »
Beautiful piece of work Florian! I like.......... :ThumbsUp:

Don

Offline fumopuc

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #147 on: January 15, 2014, 06:02:04 AM »
Hi Florian, very nice and good work. I am lucky that I could see your masterpiece last weekend in full and original size.
Kind Regards
Achim

Online Jo

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #148 on: January 15, 2014, 07:34:31 AM »
Nice  :ThumbsUp:

Oh dear.. now you have me wanting to look at my casting set for one of these  :facepalm: Yesterday it was Rod's fault.. I had the Centaur castings out for him and it was difficult to put them away again :embarassed:.

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Roger B

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Re: Stuart Boiler Feed Pump
« Reply #149 on: January 15, 2014, 07:54:18 AM »
Very nice indeed  :praise2: :praise2: I am guessing that you didn't take the video yesterday  ;)
Best regards

Roger

 

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