Gas Attenuator Valve, Cheddar Models.

[Delta Yankee]

Hello to all.

I have just been suscribed to this great Forum. I am a proud owner of a Puffin engine with a GAV and a Water Pump installed on a Borkum from Krick Models. And I am really interested on all maters related with Steam and model boat construction, So I think this will be a great Forum to be in.

My Gas Atenuator valve is not working correctly, I think I will have to dismantle it and change the Membrane, Any clues on how to do it? And where to find the parts, Gaskets, membrane and O rings? Any instructions willl be kindly appreciated.

Thank you very much

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & Delta Y.... just pending someone admitting  to owning a Cheddar Gas Att....uator...what is the issue?

1) is it non functional by providing full or non regulated gas pressure?
2) is there external leakage?
3) is the Cheddar attentuator water pressure regulated or temperature regulated?

I am not aware of any of our [800 + members] & the use of the same Cheddar unit.......[I have a French ANTON V71 gas regulator, however this of little knowledge or use here]



Try GOGGLE on the Cheddar product>>>>>>>> or be brave  :yeah  & carefully disassemble the componet   ....the internals cannot be all that technical.....regards

[Delta Yankee]

Hello Derek:

Is not that bad It used to work correctly, and it doesn't melt with high temperatures...

1) is it non functional by providing full or non regulated gas pressure?

The gas provision works correctly when high gas pressure is needed, the problem arises when it needs to give a small flame (whenever the pressure is high) the gas provision stops and the flame is extinguised

2) is there external leakage?

I´ve not checked but I think this is not the problem. I will check just in case.

3) is the Cheddar attentuator water pressure regulated or temperature regulated?

It is water pressure regulated

I am not aware of any of our [800 + members] & the use of the same Cheddar unit.......[I have a French ANTON V71 gas regulator, however this of little knowledge or use here]

I have had a look at Antons web page and it looks quite similar.





Try GOGGLE on the Cheddar product>>>>>>>> or be brave  :yeah  & carefully disassemble the componet   ....the internals cannot be all that technical.....regards[/quote]

Yes this is a good point and my engineer Soul tend to think this way... will see

Thanks

David

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Delta Y,
It sounds like it may just need adjustment of the gas flow on the high pressure setting. Have you checked out the article by Malcom Beak "In Control.doc" in the Steam engine Articles, it describes a Combined Gas Regulator and Attenuator.
Regards,
Gerald

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & David...after you mentioned the Cheddar unit & the Anton unit looked similar...I checked the Anton spare seal kit as supplied & see 5 O-rings & 1 x 16 mm neoprene disk

a) two O-rings for the inlet & outlet tube unions
b) one O-ring for the primary gas adjustment gland
c) one O-ring for the secondary [lower gas pressure adjustment] gland

So by simple calculation that leaves one O-ring & a 16 mm diameter disk as potential requirements for replacements

regards  

[Delta Yankee]

Thanks Gerald and Derek.

With the information you have given me I am one step ahead, Both references speak about the same thickness and material (16 mm, neoprene) for the membrane, so I will find out where to obtain, Anton´s Webshop could be the easiest, or perhaps I should go to the beach and take a small piece of ones surfer wetsuit (just joking).

As soon as aI get the pieces I will dismantle the GAV and will keep you informed.

Best regards

Delta Yankee

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's.....Delta Y.....possibly an alternate source would be a bicycle repair shop...or the sporting goods section of a large department store

A tube repair kit [for puntures] has the neoprene sheet...find a Spanish coin 16 mm diameter &   & hey presto  

[Delta Yankee]

Hi all;

Finally I decided to dismantle the GAV and replace the gasket with one cut from a neoprene sheet.

I have installed and now it runs ok, I am not sure if the problem arose from the gaske or that the screws were a bit loose, but the thing is that now runs correctly,

Enclosed I send some pictures of the GAV, Though I wasn´t able to dismantle completely. I didn´t know how to open the lower part of the body.

Next issue to work on is the Electronic boiler control, Any idea of where to find a suitable by pass valve to be operated with a servo?

Thanks again for all the support

[Eddy Matthews]

Stuart Turner have just re-released the Cheddar Puffin engine, and their catalogue also lists the gas attenuator valve/boiler control system. You will probably find they can help with parts...

http://www.stuartmodels.com/

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & thanks Eddy.....for the current detail  on the Cheddar product now back with Stuart...

I have printed out the 8 page catalogue & price list & consider the re-introduced EGV @ 107 UK Pounds to still be good value  ...if I did not have my ANTON V71 gas regulator I would be placing my order with Stuart tonight for the EGV.......

I must leave others to reflect & think on the pricing offered for other components   ....... ..........NO I am just reading the price list 

[bogstandard]

Hi Derek,

I don't mind bringing it up.

Stuart models have grossly overpriced the Puffin plant (as with most of their items). In my opinion by about £350.
But as usual, people will pay it because they think that Stuart is a good name. It is a pity really, because there are much better plants than that about for a lot less money.
I might be a bit biased because I have an original Puffin engine, made from investment castings, rather than their grotty offering.

John

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....Eddy...with this news that Stuart are now producing  a progressive range of the Cheddar product...in all fairness we should add the Stuart Electronic Catalogue & the Price List to >>>>our Steam Engine/Components manufacturers  Folder >>>>etc

[Eddy Matthews]

Just add it to the links yourself Derek - That was one of the reasons for the change of software, to allow users to add stuff without me having to do it all.

Any new additions need to be "Approved" by me before they will be visible to others - So don't worry if it doesn't immediately appear on the listing. Just a security measure to ensue nothing unsuitable is added!

I'm afraid I have some more family problems to deal with just now - So i'm off to the hospital yet again.....