Edit.... PLAN calculates to 19.97 using 100psi, 700 rpm, double acting, two cylinders. 100psi mean effective pressure is probably about right for a 55% cutoff at 200 psi boiler pressure but terribly inefficient If you mess with the PLAN formula you can see that changing the numbers can have a huge ...

Preface/Bias Disclosure: I don't know Mike Brown, I have not seen his engines in person, but I am skeptical about some of his claims. I consider him somewhat on the fringe. I am not trying to upset anyone who knows him or his work. That being said, I would also like to limit the discussion to the te...

This is fun one on acetylene and an idiot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fWBINa7cxI



-CB

Completely full is supposed to be another method of preservation, but I've seen lots of steel rust badly totally submerged. I'd avoid that method like the plaque personally. One: The dissolved oxygen in the water. Two: If you forget about it when winter comes and it's in unheated area it will be a ...

Boiler treatment is somewhat of a dark art in my mind. In commercial and industrial they have all this electronic monitoring. I think it's a case where there are several different ways to do it for hand fired steam. Personally I don't want to measure my TDS or Ph levels. That's why I like the appeal...

In the spirit of open discussion, I will tell you that I am NOT an expert on boiler treatments. I am also NOT an expert on boiler treatments either. I wouldn't change boiler water treatments in a steamboat if it has been working well. One important note also because it's going to muddle things too ...

I have been using LSB8000 (LSB4000 is the same thing but more concentrated) this on my first stationary boiler. And I plan to use on my new ASME stamped boiler. It doesn't need to be feed continuously as Kelly Anderson suggests. It's an amine based treatment, and will stay in the boiler until the bo...

Some times even from USA manufacturers it not as clear as it should be. Apollo Valves (Conbraco) ball valves on the bronze body are "APOLLO 1/2 USA" and "600 CWP". One version is good for 150 SWP, the other 250 SWP. How can you tell the difference? What's written on the rubber handle cover. The 250 ...

I agree on the schedule 80 piping.

But what's wrong with say for example a quality Class 150 Ball Valve from Mcmasterr Carr for a MAWP of 95PSI? (Model 47865K23)

-CB

One issue that deserves consideration: Valve Leakage Thanks for another excellent post, and it actually hits on a point that I am mulling over for my own new ASME boiler. And also something lighthouse will have to deal with his boiler. Namely - if you have a water input nozzle/inlet what are safe w...