Author Topic: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler  (Read 16155 times)

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Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2013, 05:50:29 pm »
Hi,  I made a larger fire and ran the 2 stroke for more than an hour at 40 psi. As the piston returns to TDC  there is back pressure that limits the power and RPM output. I am adding second cam and air valve to remove the back pressure. Will post results when available.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #16 on: October 04, 2013, 05:35:26 pm »
Hi, I completed the 2 stroke modifications. I add a second air valve to release the back pressure that was created when the piston returns to TDC. The first test did not go well. I will have to adjust the cams and try again.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2013, 07:54:23 am »

Hi, project update. Simplified 2 stroke conversion. Now working on automating the water pump and connecting a PMA to the drive shaft.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2013, 08:02:44 am »
Started design for easy to fabricate double action steam engine. Original design found on internet. Just minor modification for twin cylinder.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #19 on: October 18, 2013, 05:43:36 pm »
Hi, I was using a air tank safety valve for the safety valve on the boiler. It did not last long. I found a DIY safety valve that I was able to fabricate. Testing soon.

Offline rossw

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #20 on: October 18, 2013, 09:06:35 pm »
Hi, I was using a air tank safety valve for the safety valve on the boiler. It did not last long. I found a DIY safety valve that I was able to fabricate. Testing soon.

Here's one I made a few years ago...
http://house.albury.net.au/LowPressureValve.htm

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2013, 06:03:36 am »
Hi, nice work, thanks for posting. It is great to have more than one option.

What are you using for a water pump????

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #22 on: October 28, 2013, 07:22:16 am »
Hi, I solved my water pump problem. I was using a 4 inch black iron pipe for a piston cylinder and was getting a lot of blow by. I replaced it with a brass pipe and now I am maxing out the 200 PSI pressure gauge. The water pump is a major part for the the boiler and hopefully the problem is solved. Working on adding a DC motor to drive the pump. 

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #23 on: November 04, 2013, 04:06:23 pm »
Hi, I started collecting materials to fabricate a small steam engine. The project is to gain metal fabricating experience.
The engine design will be loosely based on the Stuart Sirius twin cylinder using a rotary valve steam input and uniflow exhaust.

 http://www.john-tom.com/MyPlans/SteamPlans2/HowToArticles/How%20To%20Make%20A%20Model%20Steam%20Engine.pdf

I am using pieces from the scrap bin.


Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #24 on: November 06, 2013, 03:41:02 pm »
Hi, I still had water in the monotube boiler and the night time temp went below freezing resulting in a burst pipe. I will have to remember to blow out the boiler with compressed air in the future.  :'( 

Offline Wolvenar

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #25 on: November 09, 2013, 06:42:32 am »
Ouch.
An ugly reminder of some of the troubles northern climates create.
Trying to make power from alternative energy any which way I can.
Just to abuse what I make. (and run this site)

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #26 on: November 09, 2013, 04:21:12 pm »
 :DHi, I started fabrication of steam engine. Drilling a 1 inch hole 1.75 deep is harder than I thought. Half of the hard part is over and one more to go. Drilling multiple small holes inside the 1 inch diameter was easy. Drilling out the 1 inch hole took a lot time. For future projects it may be worth the added expense of using brass or aluminum for the piston cylinder.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #27 on: November 10, 2013, 11:13:13 am »
Hi, just a update of the piston block. I had to sharpen the new drill bit set from Harbor Freight and tighten the belts on my drill , mill, lathe and now I am able to drill the piston cylinders in more responsible period of time. This a first attempt and a learning experience. Not perfect but now I can move forward. I still have to drill the rotary valve and uniflow ports.

Offline Burnit0017

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #28 on: November 15, 2013, 07:39:41 pm »
Started fabrication of crankshaft, this is a first attempt.  First time building a project without CNC and I am not a machinist.  :-[

Offline MadScientist267

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Re: 4 stroke lawn mower converted to steam, fabricating boiler
« Reply #29 on: November 15, 2013, 10:14:46 pm »
 Hehe this is cool... I was almost instantly taken back to one of the first pictures I saw of one of the the Wright brothers engines... Only this is better.. It's kinda like watching it being built ;)

Rock on man, definitely looks like at the very least it's quite an experience  8)

Steve
Wanted: Schrödinger's cat, dead and alive.