:computer
Hi PD's,
Happy (late) New Year to all.
Up to my neck in work again...still, must not complain....it keeps the bills paid.....not getting much modelling done though!!!!
Derek made some interesting observations and asked some quite interesting questions so I telephoned Dave Gallagher to find out the answers, since I did not have the info....
1. The gas pipe does not need to be 12" long, even on your model Derek....what most clubs/ associations specify is that the gas pipe be made of copper or brass with silver soldered connections. In Daves case, and In the Edinburgh case, both builders are using electronic gas control systems, which have a servo controlled (metal) gas valve in the line...as long as the pipework is copper and silver soldered then this is just fine.
The only specifications of actual lengths of copper tube, come from bodies such as the MPBA (model power boat Association) whos rules, unlike most, permit the use of flexible (rubber) tubing to permit ease of installation etc....here the rules are that for LOW POWERED BURNERS ( ceramic types) the first 102mm of pipe, from the burner end, MUST be of copper and the remainder can be of Approved gas grade hose that meets B.S. 3212 and/or 737/17
For high heat burners (blowtorch style) the first 153mm MUST be copper, with the same type of hose making up the remainder.
ONLY use once, cripmp type hose clips shall be used...jubilee clips are not acceptable.
2. You are quite correct in your assumption that the valve arrangement on Dave's condenser can present the problem of pressurising the condenser, however, his has been specially made...note the slightly domed top.
3. HOW DOES HE LIGHT THE BL***Y boiler? :wink: :wink: :twisted: :?:
Dave has a special scale crew member to perform this task....and I wan't one....READ ON....
Dave’s boiler assistant is a California Fire worm of the order
‘Coleoptera: Phangodidae', species
‘n.mexicasae’.
These strange insects were first discovered in the late 1960s in an area of
New Mexico known as the
'Pajarito Plateau', specifically in the
‘Jornada del Muerto Valley’ (If you don’t know where this is, or what it was, then look it up, and all that follows will become more clear), however, it was not until the early 1990’s that their more nasty ability became known.
During this time, many oil rig fires in Texas and some forest fires in Arizona and California, particularly those in areas where the tree line merged with the marshy/bogy areas around rivers and lakes, appeared to have no plausible cause, but just appeared to start spontaneously. At first, these fires were attributed to careless visitors, or acts of vandalism; however, subsequent research and extensive testing proved that these insects were in fact the cause.
They are a type of Gloworm, but unlike any other… …..like most other gloworms, they can produce light by means of chemical reaction…that is…they produce
'Luciferin’ (a substrate)
‘Luciferase’ (an enzyme) and energy molecules
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which, when exposed to Oxygen, all combine to produce a bright chemical glow…usually Green or Blue, but sometimes also Red.
Species
‘n.mexicasae’…had one other trick though, a mutation, allegedly, born of much higher powers …..if the
‘Luciferase’ (enzyme) of this species was exposed to Methane (marsh gas), or to practically all of the gases associated with the petrochemical industry, which include Naphthalene, Propane, Butane etc. the enzyme actually heated up very rapidly and would ignite the gas….surprisingly, the insects themselves appeared to be immune to the searing heat and just crawled away to a more shady place, away from the main heat and waited until the fire went out…..it is believed that this ability is a testimony to their place of origin, and subsequent initial discovery.
These insects are now spreading throughout the South Western United States and, apart from staring the odd forest fire here and there, are quite cute little critters and apparently make quite good pets…easy to catch and keep, with very little food requirements…just a couple of small pieces of cacti a couple of times a week…they can easily be kept in a small aquarium or large glass jar, and, if several are kept together, they will light up a room at night with a low, soft green-blue light.
Dave makes use of their ability to actually create fire…by keeping one in the boiler flue, where he feeds it twice a week as above…. when he wants to go sailing, he just turns on the gas valve, waits a few seconds, and the burner ignites…the fire worm then scurries away and lodges itself in the space between the burner shroud and the outer end of the flu, where it feels quite safe and waits for the burner to be put out.
Sadly, American Fisheries and Wildlife will not allow these insects to be exported…just as well really…. so for the less fortunate amongst us, including me and Derek, we will just have to keep using standard matches to light our boilers.
I would hazard a guess that the Edinburgh models owner, which is fitted with what looks to be a 'Cheddar Models' Pintail horizontal outfit...just trusts to luck and lights his from the top of the funnel, however, he may have a piezo ignition unit fitted, also from 'Cheddar Models', although I believe they stopped supplying these in later years.
Ok....I am happy you like the new items on the ACS web-site....it's been difficult to keep the development work on some sort of track, albeit way off the original schedule...with so much other work to fit in to the days....we keep plodding away though.
I have not forgotten the STEAM series...just not had much time to write up very much....it will get done...PROMISE.
OK all, best regards and keep happy.
:clap2 :vacat
Sandy.
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