Howto operate the injector of a steam engine

[Max WintherParticipant @maxwinther90847]

Hi

 

I have just bought a used steam engine. The engine came with handpump and an injector. The handpump works fine, but I am not sure whether the injector works or not.

 

I have fired the engine twice.  First time nothing happend with the injector. I removed the injector and descaled the injector, and found out that a small ball inside was previously stocked. The secondtime I fired the engine I could see water was in the tube going into the boiler, there was hot water on tube, the conenction is a litle bit leakt, but the waterlevel glass did show clear indication of the boiler being filled with water.

 

So can any body tell me what todo, is there a relationship between how much to open for the steam to the injector, perhaps something around working pressure, I operated the injector around 30 psi, sound indication, or should an injector be replaced at sometime, my engine is used

 

regards

 

Max 

[Max WintherParticipant @maxwinther90847]

[BobParticipant @bob17059]

Hi Max

 

As a general guide turn on the water valve first and establish a steady flow of clean COLD water through the injector overflow. Then turn on the steam.

 

If the injector is working you will see the water stop flowing  or at least reduce to a drip from the overflow. At the same time you should hear the cold water being forced through the clack into the boiler. The injector has picked up. Watch the water level in the gauge glass and turn off the steam as soon as you are happy with the water level in your boiler. You may need to turn on the blower a bit to draw up the fire a bit as you have just injected a load of cold water into the boiler.

 

Common faults are sticking clacks, clacks not seating properly and injectors clogged up with limescale (especially in hardwater areas).

 

Injectors can be cleaned by soaking in vinegar or citric acid to remove the lime scale.

 

Bob

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