The Steamboating Forum

Hello, Would this valve be satisfactory as a throttle valve? My concern would be the possibility that it might wear in the tapers or become stiff at higher temperatures. I have a new steam rated ball valve but this one looks good - not always the best reason for a choice.

Case traction engines have a throttle of similar construction and they suck. Hard to get fine adjustment as. I'd go with a steam rated ball valve if you want quick opening, or a globe valve.

My favorite type so far is an angle globe valve.



You should also have a stop valve (ball valves work well for this) as the throttle often
develops a leak over time.

- Bart

I've been getting good service out of a ball valve that I bought from 'Harbor Fright'. It's a little bit quick off the start but except for having to tighten the packing a few times, it has worked fine. I do, of course, have a shut off valve at the boiler end of the steam pipe.

Mike

You can tighten the packing on these valves? Didn't know that, so I have never done it on the Margaret S. main throttle valve, which works fine going on 4 years now, and is almost always wide open. I also have a Crane (steam rated) gate valve just off the boiler shell.

I hadn't noticed the packing gland either until it leaked. I find that I have to remove the cheap handle to snug up the packing. One of my to do list items is to make a more pleasing handle for several such valves on my boat. Cad plate stamped steel with a rubber cover just doesn't seem quite right.

Mike

This is a spring return valve, but imagine a similar bit of metal and a wood handle.





- Bart

Cool!

I'll probably just discard the plastic cover, paint the cheap steel lever and clamp two bits of nice hardwood over it. It hasn't gotten hot enough to melt the plastic so the wood should stand up just fine.

I agree with Bart. An angle or globe valve seems to work best for me too. I found that the ball valve was too touchy for fine adjustments of speed as when you are cruising side by side with another boat and deep in technical or other conversation. The reality is that the throttle valve is rarely open more than a quarter or half a turn. The best part is that when you really need to pour on the speed you can open it up wide to the stem stop. It really doesn't make you go faster but in a race or trying to get home for adult beverages and dinner it makes you feel ever so much better. I fitted a 6" diameter spoked ships wheel to the valve, nice for gripping and looks very "proppah-Boatty".
Best regards, Steamboat Mike