Air compressers for steam engines

[Brian KeenParticipant @briankeen75884]

Whilst visiting the recent ME exhibition at Sandown Park I noticed that a number of steam engines were running on compressed air.

I would like to run my recently made 16mm NG engine on compressed air and would like advice about the size of compresser required. It would need to be very quite running as I live in an apartment with neighbours who would complain about noise.

I have used one designed to inflate car tyres when on the road but this is far too nois and soon overheats.. Would the type sold for use for air brushes be man enough or do I need a more powerful model?

Any advice from someone who has used a compreser would be appreciated.

Thank you

Brian

 

[Brian KeenParticipant @briankeen75884]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You can use what are termed silent compressors, these use a similar compressor to a fridge so make no more noise than one of those. If you saw the Markie traction engines running in the road steam display they were on a Bambi compressor.

 

Do make sure it has a moisture trap somewhere along the line or after the storage tank so you don’t get condensation in the engines. Also a regulator to control pressure so the engine speed can be adjusted

 

Machine mart do tham, as do axminster and there is one thats been for sale on Homeworkshop for ages. I’m sure others will also say you can make your own from an old fride compressor

 

Avoid the cheaper diaphram compressors sold for airbrushes they are far to noisy.

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 27/12/2011 07:56:49

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

Further to Brian’s request for information…….what sort of lubrication do steam engines which are temporarily run on air require?

 

Mick

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I have a small diaphragm compressor mean’t for airbrushes and the like. I have added an old fire extinguisher (test 300psi) as a reciever (it will just struggle up to 30psi..

 

I always put a few Ml of steam oil in the air tube so on startup the whole system gets internally lubricated, but as there is no steam to wash out the lube you don’t need to keep adding oil even for fairly lengthy runs.

 

To run my engines at a sensible speed (I like to be able to watch the motion) I use an air bleed valve that keeps the pressure down to about 3-4psi or even less. This is for cylinder typically 3/4″ by 3/4″. I find a bleed valve is needed as you can’t easily make a ‘safety vlave’ for air that is sensitive enough. So I’d say that, for smaller engines, an airbrush compressotr will be fine.

 

Running on air is very different from steam, as on steam they run as heat engines with expansion of the steam and can get a lot more power out of less steam. On air they will run as pressure engines. The run fast easily, but don’t have a lot of power – you will need to be sure the engine will spin a few revs if you flick the flywheel – low pressure air doesn’t have the power to beat a misaligned bearing. I guess that the valves are best set up differently, but I’m not expert enough to know the difference.

 

Strangely, you seem to get more leaks with air – oily bubbles in odd places around gasketed joints. Steam is more fun – I always seem to get a jet of hot oily water shooting out of the exhaust across my workshop! Experts say that engines run smoother on steam too.

 

Neil

[Peter HallParticipant @peterhall61789]

I have seen small engines run on compressors designed to aerate fish tanks. Quiet and cheap.

 

Pete

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

Has anybody tried one of these compressors for running steam engines ? I would like to know how quiet they are. My current compressor is far too noisy and gets hot after only 20 minutes.

**LINK**

I live in Australia but I would imagine that these are available in the UK .

I have tried aquarium pumps but they are useless.

Edited By Brian John on 10/10/2014 06:04:33

Edited By Brian John on 10/10/2014 06:04:53

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

If it works as well as it looks then it will be OK, I would add an inline air reservoir though.

Neil

[HowiParticipant @howi]

You need an AS06 diaphragm compressor, they give a good volume of air at up to 40lb pressure, run very quiet. You should not need more than about 5 to 15 lb of pressure on small steam engines up to 1 inch bore.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Another option to an air compressor is a hand held steam cleaner available on e-bay for less them $40 for cleaning bathrooms, floors, etc. Saw one recently at a rally running a small engine. Works well. No noise and real steam.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 11/10/2014 22:45:52

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by Paul Lousick on 11/10/2014 22:44:37:

Another option to an air compressor is a hand held steam cleaner available on e-bay for less them $40 for cleaning bathrooms, floors, etc. Saw one recently at a rally running a small engine. Works well. No noise and real steam.

Paul.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 11/10/2014 22:45:52

That's given me an idea. What about one of these :- **LINK**

When you say a 'small' engine what sort of bore x stroke was it.?

Nick

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

Hi Nick, I don't think wallpaper strippers have any real pressure like the cleaners that Paul mentions. I believe they just vent steam, a bit like a kettle.

Ed.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Do not have size for the engines but they are in the photo below. (not run all at the same time) Worth investing in a steam cleaner. If they are not big enough to run your engine can always be used to clean the bathroom..

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

I do have a small hand held steamer for getting wrinkles out of clothes. I wonder if I can use that somehow ? It only runs for 15 minutes but I have seen people running their engines on youtube using the steam from a coffee maker !

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Wheres the best place to connect on a 1" Minnie?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You can use the filling hole or the blowdown bush which is front bottom of the throatplate, either way you will need to make a small adaptor from the particular thread to your air hose.

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Thank you

[Brian GParticipant @briang]

We have run a 16mm locomotive quite happily on the airbrush compressor that was used to paint it (a little AS186 like this **LINK**). Probably best to use a compressor with a regulator on its output as it may pump out more volume than the safety valve on the boiler can release.

Brian

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Last time I was at a steam rally the tent with static models had a few running (on request ) , the guy just pushed his foot down. He had a large vintage style foot pump connected to the engines. Seemed ok for the short demos.

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Posted by JasonB on 19/05/2018 11:16:54:

You can use the filling hole or the blowdown bush which is front bottom of the throatplate, either way you will need to make a small adaptor from the particular thread to your air hose.

Have to find out what thread is on them ,got nothing in my box of bolts, and Ive got 1000's!! The thread is really fine…..both same size in throatplate and filler.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

7/32" x 40tpi ME thread.

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Posted by JasonB on 19/05/2018 19:46:19:

7/32" x 40tpi ME thread.

Thanks Jason,I know what to look for now.

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Posted by JasonB on 19/05/2018 19:46:19:

7/32" x 40tpi ME thread.

As you said Jason, impossible to get hold of.

Not sure where to go from here. I can make an adaptor easy enough but need a bolt or threaded bar?

[steamdaveParticipant @steamdave]

Tracy Tools can be your friend here:

https://www.tracytools.com/?keyword=7%2F32%22+x+40+tpi&route=product%2Fsearch

For the princely sum of £2.00 + postage.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

[Terry Chapman 2Participant @terrychapman2]

Posted by steamdave on 20/05/2018 12:18:29:

Tracy Tools can be your friend here:

https://www.tracytools.com/?keyword=7%2F32%22+x+40+tpi&route=product%2Fsearch

For the princely sum of £2.00 + postage.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Hi Dave, whats that for, a bolt?

Thanks,

Terry

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