pmasley
07-27-2008, 05:41 PM
Some more work was accomplished on the Ortner engine this last weekend. With some help from Jim Kruft, we replaced the copper induction tube with a stainless steel one. The copper tubes worked well when they first went in, but quickly fatigued from the heat. It seemed like we almost went through an induction tube every 16 to 24 hours. With this new stainless steel tube, we should have a more permanent fix. There was enough material for a spare which is stored in the Ortner Station.
277
We also had the new flue brushes. The main brush is much more aggressive than our last brush and does a great job of cleaning the flues. It's on a flexible fiberglass shaft that lets you get to 98% of the flue's. After cleaning the flue's with this brush I think we'll cut our time from firing to steam in half. There is also a somewhat shorter brush on a twisted wire shaft. There is no longer a connector after the brush and this one is easy to get to the flue's behind the bell, etc that were next to impossible to get into before. While not as stiff as the primary brush, it sure worked well on those hard to get tubes. As before, watch out for the induction tube when cleaning the flues so it doesn't get displaced.
278
Also in progress is work on the Johnson Bar, front light, etc. A good day.
277
We also had the new flue brushes. The main brush is much more aggressive than our last brush and does a great job of cleaning the flues. It's on a flexible fiberglass shaft that lets you get to 98% of the flue's. After cleaning the flue's with this brush I think we'll cut our time from firing to steam in half. There is also a somewhat shorter brush on a twisted wire shaft. There is no longer a connector after the brush and this one is easy to get to the flue's behind the bell, etc that were next to impossible to get into before. While not as stiff as the primary brush, it sure worked well on those hard to get tubes. As before, watch out for the induction tube when cleaning the flues so it doesn't get displaced.
278
Also in progress is work on the Johnson Bar, front light, etc. A good day.