Screwy Nick

Jan, tell Max and Moritz they were correct. Received the replacement generator, drove it with an electric motor. Tests show it produces 3V at only 815 rpm, and it climbs to 20 at 4100 rpm. Means I have to go back to beginning with the gears to give a reasonable range of speed. This also means will take much less pressure to produce the needed power. Things lookin' up.

Jan, thank you, always good to see my friends. Happy to see they look well.

Haven't given up yet, but did find the 'generator' I was testing is defective. While it will produce 2V and start the wheels moving at 30 lbs pressure and showed promise. Advertised as developing 12 - 34, ?? Connected it via a U joint, driving it with the Pittman and it won't produce more than 3V. Sent supplier Email and have a replacement in transit.

Yes, the ends have compression fittings, easier, quicker and in most cases fool proof. Wiring: maybe yours was disassembled once before, really looks all jammed up. I hope not shorted and insulation removed, if so the piping issue will seem like the easy part.

Yes the one I disassembled is a Gen I. Luckily found a brand new unopened Gen II, so have both. Basically the same. Big difference in oil consumption with the modification, will know better now that it is starting out clean. Keep us posted on your progress. EDIT: you may have access to the Allen screws by only removing the front truck and stabilizing bar, the Allen wrenches that have the rounded end are easier.

Jerry, thank you. it was fun, a learning experience and disassembling it made cleaning all the excess steam oil much easier. The modification has brought that under control. Stay Well

Nothing I did stopped the 'ignitor' circuit from ground out on the brass ring. It was put there for a reason I'm sure, but now is it a hinderance. It does occasionally make a spark down there, but I prefer it in the burner tube. Last pics if this, promise. YES, smoke box fire for sure.

While cleaning it up had to look twice, very well planned. The insulation is not held on with just adhesive, as some of the Live Steam manufacturers do. Wrapped in wire to keep it in place. Seems like a small thing, but try to put one of them back together with the dried out, crumbled insulation.

Sorry, just couldn't help myself, mystery of the Aristocraft igniter. It seems that after that oil collects at the base of the unit, and then cooks it grounds out the circuit. Here it is in all of it's glory.

Arlon: thank you for your patience. As suspected the 4 Allen heads under the smoke box did the trick. Now with everything exposed you should be able to solder fittings or what ever to restore the connection. Also, if you would post this on the Aristocraft site to aid others. The igniter is now exposed to be replaced or adjusted. I hope to see a video of your Mike steaming in a little while. Stay Well.

Arlon, To get to what I think are the bolts holding it in place I have taken off the front truck and frame bracket holding it place and pilot. While doing so found an issue with mine that I am trying to correct. Don't Give Up, I haven't.

Been getting inconstant results from one day to the next. Being hearing impaired can't go by sound to approximate speed, SO, fund this little inexpensive 'non contact tachometer'. So simple, put a piece of reflective tape on the thing spinning and read the display. Break away point for the truck is 600 RPMs which produces about 1.89V. And it has proven the RPM's are all over the place, with the same amount of pressure, and of course the power follows. Yesterday afternoon 28lbs pressure was doing the job, this morning have to increase pressure to 34?????? Am at a loss. Didn't think I could go wrong for $20.

Two small screws on the front of the smoke box pedestal only hold a decorative plate. I should be looking underneath so see what secures it to the frame. Be Back!

You are very welcome, I'm learning and having fun at same time. Pic makes it clear that the boiler and smoke box are seperate assemblies, and looks like an adhesive is holding them together. More to come.

Arlon, this is as far as I have gotten so far, just screws so easy. Judging from the opening at the bottom of the smoke box and no indication it is soldered to the boiler convinced it is removable. I see screws at the base of the smoke box pedestal which need more investigation. We're making progress.

Yes, he is a very talented builder, and I believe a machinist so he can design and fashion his parts. Have added my encouragement to the thread. (Nick Jr)

going to have to pull mine down from the shelf and take another look. From what you describe, almost willing to bet it was part of the smoke box assembly, then bent to mate with the throttle. About the igniter: if you damage that no worry, most stop working after the first few uses and it is easily lit via the stack. I'll be back!

04/24: found what I consider the best all around gear ratio: Turbine 10 mesh 30 compound 20 mesh 30 mesh 50 on generater. Produced power to start the wheels at 30lbs pressure 1.5V. Power went up in 2 lb increments, 2.4V, 3.3V, 4.0V. stopped there as plastic frames started to show stress. Now that I have what I believe is the best ratio, want to try one that was built to be a generater, less rotational resistance. I think the little digital meter is off a little, but acceptable.

Don't know what Aristo used, but yes silver would be your best bet, gets pretty hot there. I have used solder calibrated irons set at 480'F. Also use a resistance soldering set. Most important part as you already know is to make it really clean, and I found some of the flux used is acid. Can find several small kits at Micro-Mark. Keep us informed of you progress.

Think I'm closer than ever. changed one gear on the first compound gear and added a much larger gear to the generator. This is the most power with the least pressure so far. Started the video at 28 lbs pressure, wasn't sure how far it would go, I was pleasantly surprised when just 2 more lbs made such a difference. THINK I can bring it down even further. Can clearly hear when the wheels start rotating and the drag is taken off the generator. Turbine whines up. EDIT: subsequent tests showed with patience the wheels actually started at 28lbs. Just 2, but thrilled me.

Arlon, not sure how the numbers align with the pics, so I will describe in order of posting: Top: is the end of the super heater tube leading to the steam chest as you described, exhaust tube removed. Center: that tube leads directly to the throttle valve, it is above the top of the water level to make sure that only steam goes out through the throttle. Not part of the superheater. Bottom: broken fitting with the threaded connector that goes into the throttle body, with the exhaust tube. My pic: Remove the fitting on the tube running from the lower right of the throttle body that enters the boiler below the burner, that's the super heater pipe. If you remove the burner the broken super heater pipe will come right out. Should be able to solder a sleeve that fits on the existing tube and the broken fitting. Of course remove the threaded fitting from the tube and put it back into the steam chest before aligning the soldered fitting back in. Since the burner will be out you/ll have a little wiggle room. NOTE: if I may add, looks like the throttle inlet tube has been pinched, could restrict steam flow.

Below the body of the message will see "Drag Files here to attach, or choose files". I always use. Choose Files, then follow prompts. Anxious to see

Can you post a pic of the break? Was it a stress fracture? or did the pipe corrode?? I have same loco, will look mine over to see if I can make suggestions on how to repair it.

I'm having fun and learning at the same time. I'm sure a more learned person would sit down with pencil & paper figure the whole thing out in an hour. Now down to 1 compound gear then the generater, changed gears each time bigger, reached a peak then more teeth and started to loose. No videos, they'd all look the same, pressure gauge, v meter and wheels, but all documented so I don't go over the same ground again. Much more to come, still appreciative of any guidance or suggestions, thank you.

This is what I want to see, even 2 lbs increase in pressure gave me an increase in power, so believe on a better track now.