the miracle of engine starting?

A special section just for steam engines and boilers, as without these you may as well fit a sail.
wsmcycle
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Re: the miracle of engine starting?

Post by wsmcycle » Sun Apr 16, 2017 4:25 pm

She did run forward eventually and we went up the river. I always go upstream first.
Thanks for all the help put forward!
Last edited by wsmcycle on Mon Apr 17, 2017 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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wsmcycle
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Re: the miracle of engine starting?

Post by wsmcycle » Mon Apr 17, 2017 3:42 pm

Fellas, It was in reverse position when it ran in reverse! I was toggling between forward and reverse when it started in reverse. That was the direction of the dock so i quickly slipped into the forward Position. It would not run in forward. I got a very good suggestion from Wesley, plumb the drain cocks to blow off at the same pressure as the boiler blow-off. I am not clear how to do that, but i am looking for a method.
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wsmcycle
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Re: the miracle of engine starting?

Post by wsmcycle » Mon Apr 17, 2017 3:50 pm

it was in reverse true;
I was rocking between forward and reverse trying to find a start spot. When it started in reverse, the engine was in reverse. because aft was the direction of dock trouble, I moved the lever through neutral to forward but it would not start in forward.
I'm going to try turning over with drain cocks open for a bit. hydraulic lock is logical but it doesn't account for being able to run in reverse.
i will assure the shaft keys are functional. She did run eventually and we went up the river. I always go upstream first.
Thanks for all the help put forward!
LIGHT THE FIRE!!
Lars Hansen
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Re: the miracle of engine starting?

Post by Lars Hansen » Mon Apr 17, 2017 7:22 pm

There is an article in Funnel No. 125 from 2005 named "Problems manoeuvring compounds", by Brian Smith. Maybe this could be of any held. Send me an email on lars@hjelm-hansen.dk and I will send you a copy.

We had the problem on the Danish tug boat S/S Bjørn that the engine locked-up during manoeuvring. After we introduced always having the LP valve chest drain open during manoeuvre we haven't seen the problem.

Best wishes Lars
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DetroiTug
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Re: the miracle of engine starting?

Post by DetroiTug » Wed Apr 19, 2017 2:37 pm

Quote: "hydraulic lock is logical but it doesn't account for being able to run in reverse."

Re-reading what I wrote, I deleted my post as it was incorrect. I have way too much on my plate to be giving anyone advice on anything :D

-Ron
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