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Non Steam Discussions
Re: Trying to reconcile history vs technology. - 10 days ago
Hi Jim, Ken answered your first 2 questions. I'm going to give you guidance on what level to indicate your boiler. If you look at the picture of Joe's Red Stanley attached earlier in this thread, this gives a pretty good idea of where to locate (what height) the standpipe. What it needs to be. The Stanley boiler pictured is a multi-firetube boiler like yours. Figure a couple of inches down fby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Trying to reconcile history vs technology. - 16 days ago
Fixed the orientation of the picture.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Trying to reconcile history vs technology. - 16 days ago
Picture on Joe's Stanley. The vertical column with the spark plug is the feature.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Stanley D-Valve dimensions - 20 days ago
Yes, very observant. However, if you look closely at the end of the bent rod, it is broken off. It is stuck in the piston 1/2 to the far left. I made a jig for my lathe, 4 jaw chuck and will drill out the bent rod and drill/tap for a new one. I'll touch it with weld to hold in place. Back to my question...what's the reason for the short side of the valve? "When in cutoff or hookupby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Stanley D-Valve dimensions - 21 days ago
I'm hoping Rolly sees this post. However, all can see it and respond if one knows the answer. A little background first. I was with Herb de la Porte a couple of weekends ago and who just overhauled his 20 HP Stanley engine. Note that I'm in the process of starting my 10 HP build along with interface to the rear end. Both Herb and my engine have valves that have one side slightly shorter thanby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Trying to reconcile history vs technology. - 21 days ago
Hi Jim, Just a few more comments about your questions. I recently went on a Steam Car tour with 3 Stanley cars. I rode in each one. There is one thing that stands out about these car owners. Make your car reliable and durable to last a long time. Maybe that's 2 things. As far as reliability goes, your car already has some proven designs with an oil burner and more updated engine design. Iby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 6 weeks ago
Thanks Bill, Love to give you a ride when complete. Love to see your Ofeldt Design. Don't hesitate to post on another thread. I just retired and started Substitute Teaching at the High School Sure enough, they captured me into a long term sub position. One of the three classes is Design Development for Production (DDP). Way too much fun teaching this class. Kind regards, Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 6 weeks ago
Bill, Sorry for the confusion. My 10 HP Stanley Engine is for my personal steam car. My steam car is based on a model T chassis. Same tread width as the model T is my constraint. However, I reduced the frame wheel base end-to-end. It is 84" down from 100". This size matches the Stanley EX like what Rolly built. My intention is to make the car look like a Gentlemen's Speedy Roadster, Hby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 7 weeks ago
My 10 HP is considered a Dry Engine. On the cross heads are a single ball bearing top and bottom. This allows for intermittent lubrication. On 20 HP, there is a slide, metal on metal typically brass. It needs constant lubrication to be effective. My 10 HP when I bought it. Note the 4 rods that stick up. They are 4" on center and interface with the differential. I just need to go to 5-1by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 7 weeks ago
Rolly This fits into this thread where I'm trying to convert my 10 HP to a model T axle. First picture is the concept. I have a question for you regarding the spacing of the frame rods and expanding side-to-side about 3/4" a side. The original Stanley frame rods are 5/8" threaded rods at the crank and out. Other pictures are my ideas. My concept is to screw on a spacer block. I neby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 7 weeks ago
Rolly, What is the distance between the rods; side-to-side and top-to-bottom? Where can one get one of the piston valve blocks? Thanks, Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Rolly, Curious...what's the bore and stroke of your Reliable Engine? Could it handle a 1,000 PSI? Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Hey Rolly, I think you have some experience with or know someone who has a Reliable Steam Engine in a boat? Which model does he have? Thanks Ken for all information about the Diesel conversion. The key element I was looking for is the 3-7/8 X 4-1/2 bore and stroke. This is opposed to the Doble 6 X 5. However, the Doble Detroit Engine has 4 acting strokes within the 2-cylinder engine. It wouldby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Hi Ken, Let us put self starting, clutches and even transmission aside for this discussion. Let us focus on the valve events that produce the steam rate or the effective use of steam. In other words, to make the best use of the steam from the boiler/generator. As per Stumpf, the objective is to use compression to match the steam chest pressure. I would totally agree that Abner Doble did readby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Hey Ken, If OK I would like to further explore this Diesel conversion and understand some of its attributes to allow it to rotate at a higher rpm and still consume equivalent steam of a Besler compound. I'm sure you don't mind and it will get a little technical. With piston valve engines, there is lead and lap. Lead breaks down to an advancement of the eccentric angle to allow the lap to work.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Hi Ken, We haven't discussed the 3 cylinder Diesel engine conversion that has been toyed around with for awhile now. This is the engine that might be considered for an LSR attempt and know that you have done some considerable valve/head design. I believe this is a GM design also. For the same reasons you state above, wouldn't this be problematic? This Diesel conversion would be single actiby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
How about given that Besler made the half a V8 into a compound, isn't the 90 degree crank angle a good thing? It was a receiver type compound. I think the engine is a good conversion. It was condemned due to the specification constraints. It was as though they wanted a steam engine to be like a internal combustion engine. What if they were to open up the requirements to make the steam enginby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Engine conversions - 2 months ago
Hi Ken, What's your thoughts on this conversion? 1969 SE-124 Chevelle Converted to Steam by Besler. One of the few profitable ventures into steam powered automobiles. Tom Kimmel - Chevelle Conversion Kind regards, Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Hello - From a newbe to the Steam Auto Arena. - 2 months ago
Hi Jim, My son, Brendan, just got a contract on a house in Denver. My wife and I will be out to visit him and his girlfriend in the early July time frame. Just tentative at this point but would love to visit you. See the car and perhaps take it for a ride (optional). I can help you fire it up or something. I can share stories on my progress on my Steam Car build. Kind regards, Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
Hey Bill, Hope this inspires you... Working on the interface between my 10 HP Stanley and a Model T rear end. Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
Nice job Bill, I agree with your thinking and methods. Howard Langdon is a legend with many steam folks. A huge Derr style boiler and Doble Engine...a great recipe for speed. With great respect to you Lohring, I agree to disagree. Steam has a future and steam cars will come back into vogue. To revisit what killed the Steam Car, Jay Leno says the electric starter motor did. This is becauseby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
Lohring, Electric Boat is an impressive company alright. The nuclear - steam generation plant is quite impressive and well thought out. That must have been a stellar experience. Keep in mind that the name of the company does not include the word steam. Not to start any great debate but I agree with you on steam is obsolete in steam automobiles. However, the reason is not because of technology.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Some stupid questions... - 2 months ago
Hi Rolly, 30 inches of vacuum is significant. Is this in Florida waters or in the Northeast where you used to live? Do you find there is a difference. That is a sweet looking boat! Kind regards, Rickby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
Re: Alternative engines - 6 months ago A quick story that might be interesting...I was recently at the NYS Fair in Syracuse NY. I went to the NYSERDA (new york state energy research & development authority) booth to ask about energy rebates for going Geothermal at my house. The immediate question was what do you use for heat right now? My response is I burn natural gas. Since I already haby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
I attached the images that didn't copy over.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Simple article advocating for steam tech. - 2 months ago
From another thread about "start up times". The offer presented in the quote stands for the Spring Meet this year. I'll bring the Bourbon. Enough of going down this rabbit hole, back to the main topic of this thread. I'll be going to the steam meet in October and willing to discuss some of these ideas over a bourbon (after a day of steaming). Back to the start up times: I dby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Hello - From a newbe to the Steam Auto Arena. - 2 months ago
Hi Jim, Thanks for sharing. I visited your build page and saw some nice work regarding an old fashiion head lamp, Solar brand. Nice work on that and converting it to an LED lighting system. The temperature outside today is 32 *F with a high of 35. You are in a good location if you can open the garage door and work outside. I keep my pole barn at about 60. That isn't too bad to work in. I thinby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: There WAS a step after Doble, and it was efficient. But WW2 prevented it. - 2 months ago
Hi Bill, The units on the water/steam conductivity chart are Btu/h ft *F. The h is enthalpy and comes from a steam table with SI units of joule/kg. Please don't ask to provide English or Imperial equivalent. Please keep a broader perspective on the image if you were to create the equation to calculate a steam generation rate with varying temperature, surface conductivity, pressure and density.by Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: Some stupid questions... - 2 months ago
Hi Steve, I learned something regarding a triple expansion engine that uses 4 cylinders. Two of which are used for the 3rd expansion. The benefits as Ken say are with the mechanical commonality with the size and with you, the crank angle with smooth running. I didn't know this or wasn't aware of it. After some research regarding the Titanic, it used a triple expansion engine with 2 LP cylindby Rick.H - SteamStuff
Re: There WAS a step after Doble, and it was efficient. But WW2 prevented it. - 2 months ago
Hi Bill, You bring out an excellent point. I have said it in the past and say it again...the opportunity in the Rankine cycle is in the boiler or steam generator. Where the tendency is to focus on the engine or turbine. I think Doble understood this also. Hence the forced circulation concept. Here is another example of an LSR, the British Inspiration. Twelve (12) boilers generated 10 M BTU tby Rick.H - SteamStuff