The Steamboating Forum

If I burn myself on something, I add rope lagging to that spot for next time.

- Bart

Sheesh, Bart. If I did that I would have rope lagging all over myself. I'd look like a mummy!
Mike

Now that is funny........................

Lopez Mike wrote:Sheesh, Bart. If I did that I would have rope lagging all over myself. I'd look like a mummy!
Mike

Down here where it gets warm, we prefer to lag the steamboat rather than the engineer. You guys up there where it gets cold can wrap yourself in rope if you like....

- Bart

Hi Ron,

Would the timing comment explain why it seems easier to start the engine in reverse (clockwise) that forward ? I was at the dock and was trying to get the engine to start going forward, it was hard to rock it that way and I ended up turning up the steam and still having issues. Then I threw the stephenson gear and it jumped in to reverse (clockwise0 very quickly. (that was when I filled my shorts.)

If so, how do I adjust the valving so that it works better in the counter clockwise direction.

jon

Hi Jon,

Yes its more than likely the way it is timed. To set the other eccentric (forward eccentric as you have it); put about 5 psi air in the boiler, put the engine on top dead center and open the top cylinder drain. Then loosen the set screws in the eccentric. Crack the throttle open a bit. Roll the eccentric around open and closed (hearing air at the cylinder drain). Right where it opens, set it right there, tighten the set screws in the eccentric.

A lot of opinions on where best to set it. I've bench tested that one and the twin in the tug, and they seem to have the most power (on air) opening at top dead center or slightly before it. There is a lag to get the steam through port and in to the cylinder, timing it a bit early or on center ensures the steam will hit the piston just right. If ya go too early, it may try to kick back on engine start, or be hard to get it past top or bottom dead center. Need some good shoes for that timing

-Ron

Thanks Ron !

I assume I have the stephenson gear in "forward" for this and that the eccentric that will be in the vertical orientation is the one I am playing with ?

jon

JonRiley56 wrote:I assume I have the stephenson gear in "forward" for this and that the eccentric that will be in the vertical orientation is the one I am playing with ?

Well, You can, but you'd have to rotate it 180 degrees. The eccentrics are 180 degrees orientation from one another. The way I had it timed, you are using the reverse or counter/anti-clockwise eccentric for forward(handle out to the side). That may be easier than swapping the valve links, just rotate each eccentric 180. Then fine tune it with 5 psi air pressure. The reason for the low air pressure, it's rather dangerous adjusting the engine with pressure, it can take off and pinch the adjuster. Let's get the burn healed up before any more injuries

-Ron

Thanks

I should be able to adjust it with the eccentrics the way they are. So I leave the piston at TDC. Loosen the set screws on the eccentric that is headed "upwards" and rotate it until I start to get air out of the top drain cock right ?

jon

JonRiley56 wrote:Thanks

I should be able to adjust it with the eccentrics the way they are. So I leave the piston at TDC. Loosen the set screws on the eccentric that is headed "upwards" and rotate it until I start to get air out of the top drain cock right ?

jon

And don't forget to have it open about 2 to 3 degrees BEFORE TDC/BDC to get some steam in there to "cushion" the piston at the end of the stroke.