I would love some advise on new boiler

[Mike MerrifieldParticipant @mikemerrifield89320]

Good evening gentlemen (and ladies,perhaps)! I am new here, as well as to model engineering. I did a quick search of the forum topics, but have not found the answer to my question, but do forgive me if it has been answered before. I have just finished the construction of a PMResearch vertical boiler, and have pressure tested, then fired the boiler. I have now installed an outlet which leads to a tee. Upon the tee is a whistle, and to the side is an outlet with a shutoff valve. The whole tube comes off the top (at the side) of the water reservoir. When I pull the whistle string, hot water shoots out, not "steam", and so there is not an audible sound, but rather a burnt hand. I have tried refitting the tube higher, as well as opening the valve to clean water from said tube, but to no avail. What have I done wrong? I have tried to operate the whistle at 10, 20, 40 psi, but still no change. Thank you for reading! I hope someone can help.

[Mike MerrifieldParticipant @mikemerrifield89320]

Water, not steam coming coming out whistle

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Mike, what level is the water showing in the gauge glass?.

With the water level in the middle two thirds of the glass which would be a usual running level the steam outlet should be above water level and get fed with steam. On a cold engine you may get a litthe condensate in teh pipes which will come out teh whistle but that should soon clear.

Picture of the boiler here for those not familiar, outlets are on the left & front level with the top glass fitting

EDIT also a video that shows the water level several times and teh outlet is about 1 to 1.5" above that. (nice engine not so sure about the hat)

Edited By JasonB on 12/02/2015 08:11:23

[Mike MerrifieldParticipant @mikemerrifield89320]

Thank you for your response. I have the same boiler shown in the video, and have it set up the same way. My water level is below half, as I am only testing it. After pulling the whistle for some time, the water does not clear, and I cannot get any sound. I tried opening the outlet valve in an attempt to clear the water, but still no change.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

One possibility is that as the reduction in pressure as you use steam causes vigorous boiling that is carrying over water but I wouldn't expect a small whistle to do that. Opening the valve to air without an engine to reduce the flow might promote this. Also water contaminents bring this on. Are you able to use some water from a dehumidifier ? (Don't use deionised "distilled" water though)
You could try tipping the whole thing over for a moment to increase the gap.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Bazyle's post about contamination makes me think that you may just be getting throthing due to flux residue left in te boiler. Flush it out well with hot tap water and then try steaming again.

[Mike MerrifieldParticipant @mikemerrifield89320]

Thanks guys! I think not having an outlet hooked up is probably the issue. When I open the outlet valve, I get wet steam, so it makes sense. I have flushed the boiler, but I should try distilled water. Perhaps it is a combination, and the rapid boiling caused by either condition would cause havoc. I shall report back, as it is -30 here, and my garage heater would struggle to make it possible to work in the shop without freezing my fingers.

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