Detroit Hydrostatic Lubricator

[David Smith 48Participant @davidsmith48]

Good to hear from you again Dave. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

According to the documents I have found for full sized lubricators the steam feed to the top of the sight glass kept the whole lubricator under "near" equal pressure, with a slight pressure drop at the top of the sight glass. There was a choke placed in the sight glass delivery tube and another at the steam chest. The pressure from the height of the equivalent water column is what pushed the oil through the feed adjusting valve at the base of the sight glass. My lubricator as currently designed is approximately 3 1/2" tall. Add 1/2" to the top for fittings for a total of a 4" water column. The question then is how long of a water column is needed? I have no idea!

I'm building the lubricator so that can be fitted with or without steam feed to the top of the sight glass. I'll experiment with both and see what works best or at least if I can make either work. The results could be interesting. I'll keep records and post the results. Given my rate of progress that will probably take another year.

Dave

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

GWR locos had a condenser coil in the cab roof so that the length of pipe down to the lubricator filled up with water which added to the pressure pushing the oil through

Edited By duncan webster on 25/05/2023 11:26:03

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Hi Dave

You have obviously researched this well, I was not aware that full size lubricators worked in that way, wrongly assuming it was all down to pressure differential, must admit that I never gave the effects of gravity a thought.Very Good idea to make the steam feed optional, and it would be great if you made your results known, I've learned a bit more already! Look forward to seeing some more pictures of your progress, judging by the quality of the work so far it's going to be some locomotive!

And Duncan's point about mounting the GWR condensers in the roof had also never occurred to me, but makes perfect sense, you can learn a lot on this forum!

Dave

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