Screwy Nick Posted February 6, 2023 Share Posted February 6, 2023 Yes, have 2 projects going at the same time, but they are related. The video of the turbine on live steam can clearly hear the alcohol burner roaring. Can only compare it to an F4 revving up getting ready to be shot off the deck. Want the whine of the turbine to be heard. Purchased a BIX 009 burner and it arrived Friday. Set it up according to directions, and am very disappointed as can see. First tried another #5 I have, same look. Substituted the #5 jet that they recommended with the jet that is in the Brunel, that gives a beautiful bunch of blue tips, much better. i Sent seller info and pics, I'm sure we can solve the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 Very sorry, this is the response I got from Mini Steam, very disappointed. "Hello I have forwarded your email to the manufacturer. I am not sure I can get a different jet with different results. I think they had to find a new machine shop for the jets and that might be as good as it gets now." When I asked exactly what that means, I go no response. When I ordered the burner I found on Amazon a supplier for the ceramic used in the Buddy Burner which is a higher temp ceramic and ordered a piece, so have plenty to play with. Right now I am working with the air intake and gas distribution within the box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 They may have given up, but I didn't. Put the #5 jet they recommended back in. Drilled more holes to allow more air, cut a piece of the ceramic designed for the Buddy Burner and DO DA. Would like to open the air holes a bit more and seal around the ceramic. (gears came yesterday). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted February 7, 2023 Share Posted February 7, 2023 Cool! I mean HOT...Very hot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 7, 2023 Author Share Posted February 7, 2023 Yes, thank You. Next to see if it will function in the space the alcohol burner was. If necessary can round out the bottom to lower the profile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 Fashioned a cap adaptor to connect the burner to the boiler. Works when lit then slid into the boiler, not sure I can light it from the stack yet. It also has a small viewing hole to make sure the burner is lit and adjusted correct. Small nut on top for the securing screw, have my doubts about that holding. Soldered in hot areas and used JB Professional in the cooler area. EDIT: As with all things 'trial & error' got to expect some visits. Jet neck was out of alignment, so ground it out and repositioned it. This time I used JB Extreme Heat, supposed to be good to 1,000'F. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 11, 2023 Author Share Posted February 11, 2023 I think I am going to call it a success. Decided not to wait till it failed during a real run, so resistance soldered the nut to the adapter. Cleaned it up some, lit it outside the boiler and slid it in. Only let it run for a little while as the JB High Temp needs to cure more. I believe this will supply enough continuous steam for the turbine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 12, 2023 Author Share Posted February 12, 2023 This test went quite well, and I learned something about ceramic burners. It was bringing the initial pressure up, glowing red then I heard a POP, it started to roar and the pressure stopped rising. To add to that a stream of smoke was coming out of the stack. 'now I done it'. Found that the burner flashed back and the flame was actually below the ceramic, and the puff of smoke was the paint burning off the burner housing. The view hole showed a very dim red. Shut the gas off momentarily then turned it back on, it ignited immediately. Shortly it did it again, so I adjusted for less air. The ceramic was still bright red, but I also had a few blue tips. Even with a steam leak at the hose it was able to maintain 40 lbs steam pressure, turn the turbine which turned the wheels on the power truck. Thought I had more water in the boiler and gas in the tank than I did so the test was short. Now to start playing with the gears on the Turbine. Thank You Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted February 13, 2023 Share Posted February 13, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 13, 2023 Author Share Posted February 13, 2023 Sean, thank you. Just small steps but they all add up. Now back to the Turbine and the gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 The BIX 009 was for test purposes, length is far short of what could fit. Got a 14 burner from Mini and they recommend a #8 jet which is coming form Forest Classics in UK. Being impatient I wanted to see what it would look like using a #5. This is the initial lighting before any adjustments, like what I see. Since I have to cut off about 3/4 of an inch of this burner the #5 may do the trick when all is said and done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 Here is the BIX 14 with 1" removed to make it fit into the B3 boiler. This is using a #5 jet. I stumbled on this adhesive, on the shelf in utility room. I have been using this for many years on my wood stove, which is the primary heat for my house so it is in use all winter. JB Extreme heat is good for 1K'F and needs 24 hours curing time. This is no mix, air dry and in 30 minutes hardened and is ready for heat. Going to try to use it to stick handrails that came loose on a loco. I'm not a photo guy so attached is a video of the burner. None of the stills I took show the ceramic burner red only the surrounding flame??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 I think it looks like a winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 Chuck, I'll know tomorrow after I clean up the cap. Will also send the steam to the turbine in hopes of getting better results than with compressed air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 As described in the other thread, the burner performed well, but I think it can do better with a #8. This morning I replaced supplied ceramic with a piece of the Buddy Heater ceramic, noticeable difference in the flame, why?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 The #8 arrived and couldn't help but to test it. As I had expected needs more air so one of my tasks today is to refine the burn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted March 3, 2023 Author Share Posted March 3, 2023 Finally got this one under control. Turned out to be partial blockage of the jet, and needed just a little more air. Very happy with the results. Love all those little blue tips, HOT. HOT. HOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted March 4, 2023 Share Posted March 4, 2023 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted March 5, 2023 Author Share Posted March 5, 2023 Chuck, thank you. Having much better luck with the burner than the turbine, still floundering with the drive ratios. Think I have a long way to go, but I'm having fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screwy Nick Posted March 7, 2023 Author Share Posted March 7, 2023 Sean, thank you for the encouragement, hoping to make some progress today. Received one of the belt drives I ordered, the other one is 'in transit', so again "any day now". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.a4fb2273837361b3bbaa7a1d8a4c8996.png){kind=logo}
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.