What do you reckon?

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Narrow Minded

What do you reckon?

Post by Narrow Minded » Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:31 pm

I've been living with a problem that I'd now like to fix with my Mamod SK1.

Here's the scenario;
Replacement (standard) boiler
Boiler filler valve
Regulator - running through a
Dead leag displacement lubricator
Up rated safety valve
3 wick meths burner with top up spout
45mm wheelsets with bearings
45mm "gas flow" cylinders and pistons.

Now, here's the problem;
At the start of a running session from cold, prep the loco and raise pressure.
Running is fine for about 20 to 30mins, then starts to "stiffen"
Opening the reg further will allow another 10 to 15mins of (not great) running
At this point it's time to drop the fire, further running is virtually impossible :cry:
Allow the loco to cool, wipe it down, prep it and repeat the above :?

Notes
1.The initial good running is done with the safety valve "feathering", once the "stiff running" point is reached, allowing the sv to lift (therefore at a higher pressure) doesn't help.
2.Also at this point, the water level seems to fall quicker (though I noticed today that there is significantly more steam from the exhaust, reversing block and cylinders wher she's stalling "mid stroke")
3.This also used to happen when running with up-rated pistons before the gas flow cylinders were fitted.

So, this is a call for help to all fellow Mamodologists (Mamodologii?)

What d'yer reckon?

(my own suspicion is that the displacement lubricator needs refilling more frequently :? )

spooner

Post by spooner » Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:42 pm

To me it sounds like it running dry [needs more oil].

DolwyddelanLightRail

Post by DolwyddelanLightRail » Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:47 pm

It's doing what Britomart was doing from the sound of things, but it's taking a lot longer to do it

After about 10 round trips of my line (200 yards, yes i know, absolutly nothing!) it suddenly stopped and wouldn't want to move, after replacing the oil, ran brilliantly again

Sir haydn

Post by Sir haydn » Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:45 pm

put a little thick steam oil between the cylinder and back plate while raising steam for a little extra lubrication

bessytractor
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Post by bessytractor » Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:36 pm

mine does this, its the locos way of saying "im out of oil"

Narrow Minded

Post by Narrow Minded » Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:39 pm

Thanks guys, I'm going to have the chance to run for an hour down at Butteley on tuesday and I'll try a new oiling regeme - watch this space :D

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