Screwy Nick Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 With the gearing I am presently using the generator is only putting out 4.5V, that is why I was anticipating the gears. Evidentially gear'S' was a miss representation in the ad as I received 1 gear, and not even the right center hole dimension I ordered. Not deterred, have other things to try also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 19, 2023 Share Posted January 19, 2023 I hate when that happens ... Keep calm and Keep steaming they say ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 19, 2023 Author Share Posted January 19, 2023 Yes Sean, keeping calm and steaming. Appears I have a lot to learn ordering on Ebay, I concede I did order the wrong item, scrolling all the way down is a detailed description of the item that is totally different than the picture. Gears I ordered this morning have 5 actual different tooth counts, also saw the box to change the hole diameter of the gear AND there appear to be no less than 4 different 'sellers' of the same product, really????? Never too old to learn, and I will keep on steaming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 20, 2023 Share Posted January 20, 2023 What I learned recently ... is on one of my trailers are screws and they looked to be torx etc... I saw it listed on their website "2 square screw ".. So I asked .... what bit do you use .... ready .... a #2 square bit .... Really... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 Sean, don't feel alone, sometimes the most obvious seem to be obscured. Here's mine: Only a very small distance from where the steam enters the turbine, it then exits through that huge pipe in the side??? I want/need that steam to push that turbine as much as it can. Closed up the hole with a coin, drilled a hole 180' from the steam supply, threaded and forced a piece of copper pipe into it. Preliminary test on 40 lbs pressure air showed a jump in voltage, and that was with a rubber band drive so it is much better. Need to put things away then fire up that B3. Side note: no US currency was defaced or destroyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 21, 2023 Author Share Posted January 21, 2023 I thought very impressive, on compressed air and not over 55lbs. It kept winding up and output went to 12V, more than twice previous even on steam. All it cost was 1 French coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 22, 2023 Author Share Posted January 22, 2023 01/22:A rousing YEA, fired up the B3, throttle opened at 50 lbs. Once the turbine cleared, and straightened the belt drive the power jumped to 10VDC, (meter is on the 12V scale) pressure steady at 40lbs. Next is put a load on the generator and see how much that changes the equation, and how much constant pressure is needed to supply steady 24 volts. Still not sure what method to control the speed of the loco, steam to turbine or electrical, plenty of time for that. Notified the gears I ordered are now shipped, be about 10 days, got to get more esparagras as I don't think the band I am using will last that long. This test came out better, but need to find out why it jumped to 20 and dropped down to 15 and remained steady?? Meter is on the 60V scale for this test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Looks very promising! Maybe the belt started slipping? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 Belt is probably slipping some, I also agree with your suggestion that I have the exhaust somewhat restricted. Not sure if I can find tubing a little bigger than what I am using, 1/4"OD, but do have thin wall brass tubing which will open it up some. Today's effort will be around that, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 Funny I thought of you when I saw my t-shirt I put on this morning .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 Sean, I LIKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 Enlarged the hole in the housing, used thin wall brass which compared to the copper tubing actually doubled the area. Something very curious: as I restricted the exhaust the RPM and voltage went up?? Next will be to put a valve on the end of the exhaust to be able to make the restriction constant, and I won't be able to use my finger with steam. Getting more interesting each time I do something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 24, 2023 Author Share Posted January 24, 2023 Tried to add this to previous post, wouldn't take. Here are tests with and with out a valve. The restricted are the highest settings as I closed the valve. Air Pressure VDC open pipe 60 4+ 80. 7+ 100. 10 partically closed w valve 55. 9+ 60 10+ It seems to me the pressure is actually turning the turbine right up to the exhaust port. So what if I moved the exhaust port to the other side of the housing giving the pressure more distance to influence the turbine?? If anyone has any real knowledge of turbines, or suggestions PLEASE jump in, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 26, 2023 Author Share Posted January 26, 2023 Very informative morning. I substituted the small drum (in the pic) on the motor shaft with the gear I ordered by mistake. Very happy with the results. Also learned the output without the load of the little Aristocraft diesel truck motor was only 1.5V higher, both with only 50 lbs pressure. I submit first two with the caption 'I know better, but did it anyway. I have a tube of ointment at the ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 27, 2023 Share Posted January 27, 2023 It's been a blast .... watching this ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 27, 2023 Author Share Posted January 27, 2023 Sean, thank you. Stay tuned, a lot more to come, just scratching the surface of this one and 'poking around in the dark'. Got a few ideas from yesterday's strike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 28, 2023 Author Share Posted January 28, 2023 Made a little progress. Test was made under load. The drive ratio is presently 5-1, looking for a bigger bottle cap or anything else I can press onto that gear, my order is still in China. Posted as much for audio as visual. Turbine seems to get it's stride at about 60 lbs pressure, which should be less with steam due to expansion. Hope to test that later today. Wish I had some way to measure the RPM's of the turbine. Oh yes, the little plastic steam connection blew out after 10 minutes at 65 lbs, have a better one in place, we'll see. Side note: Bug hides when the turbine is winding up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 29, 2023 Author Share Posted January 29, 2023 Did steam pressure tests yesterday, here's one using 60 and another using 40 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 29, 2023 Author Share Posted January 29, 2023 A good day: threaded the hole in the gear so I could attach most anything to the end of the generator. Found a larger bottle cap, ratio is now 5.8 - 1. Noticed the whole assemble needs abut 1 minute of running before it settles into itself. Started this one from 0 and cranked the pressure up to 60 so you could hear it winding up. Highest reading on compressed air, can't wait to see this combination on steam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 You're having way too much fun with this .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 Yes, I'm barely started, got a long way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Live steam can be fun .. https://youtube.com/shorts/4BJfX8WWMKw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted January 30, 2023 Author Share Posted January 30, 2023 Sean, never too young to get them interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 1, 2023 Author Share Posted February 1, 2023 Had some fantastic results yesterday afternoon. This morning got a piece of track and rollers, put the Baby Shark on it, applied air to warm things up and BLAH. Couldn't even get enough out of anything to even light the lights. Belts (rubber bands that hold vegetables) and drums (bottle caps) just didn't want to cooperate. On the bright side noted that my gears have passed through customs and are either on the water or in the air how ever they are crossing, can't wait for some consistency in this project. On hold till they arrive, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 2, 2023 Author Share Posted February 2, 2023 Came to a possible reason for varied test results: My compressor that is supplying air pressure is in the unheated garage. Morning results are poor in comparison to late in the day, air temperature???, why not?? Borrowing a 'pancake' compressor that can be used in the house, more constant air temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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