Thread: Whisperings

Hi all
I thought I had better update.
Nothing much in the workshop as they are building new accommodation above me and I don't have access to the workshop. This could go on for another couple of months yet.
I am in the middle of boiler inspection time and the boss has given me the new young bloke we employed to learn how to go about it.
It's been a while since I have been this impressed with a member of the younger generation and he could turn out to be more thorough (anal) than I am.
For those that are interested, the boiler opened up even cleaner again. It is amazing what happens when you follow the chemical companies recommendations to the letter.

Phil

Hi Stix
I quickly took a couple of shots with my phone as without the appropriate entry permit and air quality meter readings and blah blah blah, I'm not even allowed to stick my head in so I apologise for the quality of the photos.
I always take a couple for the boss to look at Immediately after knocking in the manhole cover.
I also have to run a die nut down some rather large studs on the front of the boiler. Thanks to your incredible generosity I now have one for the job.
Many many thanks.

Phil
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Hi Phil,

Interesting pictures. Those surfaces look to be in good condition. I wonder, do you use any additives in the water or is it just as it comes.

I appreciate the need for air quality metering. A friend of mine inspects the internals of tankers, better safe...

Hi Baron
the water here is quite possibly the worst for boilers. We put it through a softener first then a reverse osmosis filter then a range of chemicals are added.
We use Tannin and caustic plus a couple of oxygen scavengers plus we pre-heat the water above 180 deg Fahrenheit before it enters the boiler as it begins to start dissolving its own oxygen at that temperature.
The water is tested every morning and any adjustments (if any) are made to the chemicals.
It certainly seems to be working considering these boilers are 107 years old.

Phil

Phil had been concerned about lack of posts thoughts of a retirement or illness or change of job taking you away and leaving us all hanging

I prefer this type of as a regular school trip for a very prestigious Catholic school I'd have to pick up 2 bottles for one father/priest that lasted him 2 nights. Mine at home would last at least 3 winters.

Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer

Hi Baron
the water here is quite possibly the worst for boilers. We put it through a softener first then a reverse osmosis filter then a range of chemicals are added.
We use Tannin and caustic plus a couple of oxygen scavengers plus we pre-heat the water above 180 deg Fahrenheit before it enters the boiler as it begins to start dissolving its own oxygen at that temperature.
The water is tested every morning and any adjustments (if any) are made to the chemicals.
It certainly seems to be working considering these boilers are 107 years old.

Phil

This all sounds very complicated compared with the advice given in "Farm Engines and How to Run Them", undated, but my guess is about 1905. The author spends a page or so discussing boiler water treatment, then finishes with the comment: "An old engineer says his advice is to use no compound at all, but to put a hat full of potatoes in the boiler every morning."

You might need a good sized hat for yours though.

Frank.

Originally Posted by franco

This all sounds very complicated compared with the advice given in "Farm Engines and How to Run Them", undated, but my guess is about 1905. The author spends a page or so discussing boiler water treatment, then finishes with the comment: "An old engineer says his advice is to use no compound at all, but to put a hat full of potatoes in the boiler every morning."

You might need a good sized hat for yours though.

Frank.

Hi Frank
I found out the other day that our #1 boiler (from the Roberts foundry, in Bendigo) that came from the Erskine guest house in Lorne, had water treated by potato peels.
The practise stopped when the cook complained that the jets in the kitchen kept getting blocked.

I've been busy with a task at work that involves getting an engine ready to run that had been installed as a static display only. This engine will be run by an electric motor via the crankshaft.
It is basically a clean up and give it the ability to rotate again as it will be under no load whatsoever and only doing between 5 and 10 revs.
I am about halfway through the job so far so I will keep posting until I get up to date.
The engine is situated in a rather dark area so apologies for the quality. I might have to take the good camera in to work.
Any questions just ask. You know I hate talking about this stuff.

Phil
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I wish I lived a lot closer to learn more about our early mechanical history from you, and see the fantastic machinery you look after.
Regards
Kryn

That's a nice looking little engine Phil, I'm guessing the bean counters are behind the decision to drive it with an electric motor rather than under steam? Not ideal I suppose but probably better to look like it's running than a straight static display.

What method will be used to keep the valve chest and cylinder lubricated without steam to carry the oil or will the piston and valve be removed?

You should ask the grown ups who run The Hill to do a crowd sourcing thingy to get it running for real, I'd chip in a fifty for such a noble cause.
Cheers,
Greg.

I'm sure you've been down this road but (for those of us who aren't familiar with your set-up), just how far is this engine from your steam supply, and would it be easy/practical to connect it up?

Now answer that diplomatically, in case one of the "grown-ups" is monitoring this site .

Cheers, Vann.

ps As water in different places has different trace elements, hardness, etc. I guess potatoes would only work in some places (other regions might need carrots )

Ah um man have I got some catching up to do 4 pages worth.

Still sorting out new shed 1/2 done 2nd 1/2 slow progress thats the wood 1/2 I think I am being swayed back to metal.

Originally Posted by Vann

As water in different places has different trace elements, hardness, etc. I guess potatoes would only work in some places (other regions might need carrots )

Is that why the Cornish are famous for their pasties as well as their boilers?

Michael

Vegetable jokes aside, is there a strategy behind the Hill's collection (engines of a certain type; age etc) or due to scarcity is it more about what is out there?

Michael

Originally Posted by kwijibo99

That's a nice looking little engine Phil, I'm guessing the bean counters are behind the decision to drive it with an electric motor rather than under steam? Not ideal I suppose but probably better to look like it's running than a straight static display.

What method will be used to keep the valve chest and cylinder lubricated without steam to carry the oil or will the piston and valve be removed?

You should ask the grown ups who run The Hill to do a crowd sourcing thingy to get it running for real, I'd chip in a fifty for such a noble cause.
Cheers,
Greg.

Hi Greg
When they set it up the piston had been removed and a dummy shaft put in and also a dummy shaft in the slide valve. The slide valve is just sitting in the steam chest.
The piston and rod is sitting in the blacksmiths shop and we have been tripping over it for years. Good to now know what engine it came from.
Sadly the 'grown ups' perceive the steam equipment as 'boys toys' so accuracy in setup is not a priority.

Originally Posted by Vann

I'm sure you've been down this road but (for those of us who aren't familiar with your set-up), just how far is this engine from your steam supply, and would it be easy/practical to connect it up?

Now answer that diplomatically, in case one of the "grown-ups" is monitoring this site .

Cheers, Vann.

ps As water in different places has different trace elements, hardness, etc. I guess potatoes would only work in some places (other regions might need carrots )

Hi Vann
Never too far from steam, just look at New York, they run steam all around the city heating the buildings.
It is more about the cost involved and the fact that another licensed steam engine driver will be needed. We are a bit thin on the ground as it is.
If I had my way...

Originally Posted by Michael G

Vegetable jokes aside, is there a strategy behind the Hill's collection (engines of a certain type; age etc) or due to scarcity is it more about what is out there?

Michael

Hi Michael
Initially it was engines and equipment used in mining in the Ballarat area but it's got down to anything that is available.
We still have at least half a dozen more engines awaiting restoration.

Hi all
some more pics of the condition of the engine, as I say it has been a static display I think since the '80's plus it is set up to look like a working engine, not actually be one.
The third pic poses a question for all you machinists out there. In the end I didn't bother as this engine will only be doing between 5 and 10 revs depending on what pulley sizes I can find so should be ok.

Phil
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