I have received the boiler and the cladding (Kit 18), but without the insulation!
The painting programme is ongoing; so far I have removed the pedals, battery box, towing rings and fuel tank, and repainted the spoilt finish revealed. Phase one is complete, with the removed components and foremost sections of the chassis re-painted (except the points where the chassis rests on the axle stands), with emphasis on those areas which seemed to be susceptible after last winter in storage. The battery box can now go back.
Once the battery box is re-fitted, then the electrics and hydraulics can be worked on. Bleeding the brakes will be high on the list. With the extras to be added now that we know that there will be a battery, those can be added as described in my earlier post. The final electrical bits need to be ordered. The batteries are receiving a periodic charge to keep them in good condition.
I plan to braze up a couple of lanterns and put some LED bulbs in them, I expect to apply that experience to building a steam whistle from plumbing parts.
I was having trouble with the grommets, so have used round grommets cut in half for the ends of the oval cutouts, with the supplied straight sections for the longer sides.
I have an A-Frame towbar to make.
I am not totally convinced that the chimney is an optimal design, although it was good enough for the Stanley brothers. I am thinking that a lower point for the exhaust could be better, with the help of a blast pipe from the engine exhaust feeding into an expanding chimney. Feed water could be pre-heated if water pipes were stuck to the smoke box. I am wondering if a small amount of super-heating could be achieved by brazing some fins onto the steam outlet pipe which crosses the top of the boiler.
No pictures yet, there is nothing presentable to show.
Alan, You wrote "I am not totally convinced that the chimney is an optimal design, although it was good enough for the Stanley brothers. I am thinking that a lower point for the exhaust could be better, with the help of a blast pipe from the engine exhaust feeding into an expanding chimney." !!!! Why do you want a blast pipe like in a railway engine/traction engine that is burning coal? The only need for this is to provide a draught for the firebox. We are using an automated diesel oil burner which provides a fan fed forced draught, so no need for any other type of draught! Save your money and bother! Also, I have been speaking to STW regarding a Superheater or lack of one should I say! The answer is that it is superfluous and would provide very little increase in performance and hence why the idea has been abandoned also to save unecessary cost and bother!!
ReplyDeleteHope this helps
Regards
Greg
Greg. Thanks for your helpful comments. Since I made the post, I have seen a picture of a Lyka with a tidy little exhaust flue facing the back and leaving the top uncluttered.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, I think I'll stick with the original exhaust, I think it looks quite the part and functional! Insulation has been received by STW and is on its way to you (at no additional cost to yourself!). Also, when you come to assemble the main stream supply from the boiler (I have forgotten the part number off hand) the pipe that goes from the central hole to the outside edge is 8 inches long. This is correct. However, the pipe supplied that goes from outside end of this pipe at 90 degrees is also 8 inches long! This is incorrect! It should be 4 inches long. An error was made by STW in as much two 8 inch pipes were supplied with the same part number! So, don't bother fitting the second pipe yet as a shorter pipe will be on its way to you. You can see the error for yourself in all the ISO's as they all show a short pipe!! Hope you can understand this garbage - but it is the truth I can assure you my friend!! (I have been talking to Will at STW this morning!).
ReplyDeleteRegards
Greg
Alan, You wrote: "I was having trouble with the grommets, so have used round grommets cut in half for the ends of the oval cutouts, with the supplied straight sections for the longer sides." What grommets? Where??? Please explain!!
ReplyDeleteThanks
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