I bought mine on ebay, they only come up about maybe six times a year and I have found them on a search for "empire steam". The company that made them went out of business I think in the 40's or 50's. The hunt may be difficult, but the reward will be worth it--good luck.
@videodude4 I just found this one on ebay 220751588352 It looks to be in good shape, in comes without a cord but you can use a waffle iron, coffee pot etc. if its the right size. The problem with it being untested is that if the heater does not work you can not find a new heater. Usually if the heater goes you can see scorching around the base, which I do not see on this one. You might want to ask the seller to try a cord to see if it gets warm. Any more questions, let me know.
@buckhorn49: Paint a black dot on the rotor and use a tach scope (basically, a flashing light with a way of dialing in the flash rate). When the dot is standing still, the setting for the flash rate is the RPM (basically, the flash rate is set to do the math for you as Revolutions Per Minute is just Flashes Per Second divided by 60). You can borrow one from a mechanic or buy a cheap one from an electircal supply house. Used by folks that work on motors a lot.
@buckhorn49: Just remember that some automotive tach scopes need an external trigger so you may need to bodge an oscillator onto the trigger lead. A simple stroboscope can do in a pinch, but calibrate it against something with a known RPM :)
sorry, as far as I know all the Empire steam engines were heated that way. I know it's not accurate, but it is easier to run run that way and a whole lot less stinky in my basement.
I bought mine on ebay, they only come up about maybe six times a year and I have found them on a search for "empire steam". The company that made them went out of business I think in the 40's or 50's. The hunt may be difficult, but the reward will be worth it--good luck.
buckhorn49 1 year ago
Where might I be able to find something like this? Very cool.
videodude4 1 year ago
@videodude4 I just found this one on ebay 220751588352 It looks to be in good shape, in comes without a cord but you can use a waffle iron, coffee pot etc. if its the right size. The problem with it being untested is that if the heater does not work you can not find a new heater. Usually if the heater goes you can see scorching around the base, which I do not see on this one. You might want to ask the seller to try a cord to see if it gets warm. Any more questions, let me know.
buckhorn49 1 year ago
Well, its a tesla turbine that is being used but instead of water or air, steam is doing the job
Hustler86a 1 year ago
@ChromeSGU
Sorry, I don't have any way to check the rpms.
buckhorn49
buckhorn49 1 year ago
@buckhorn49: Paint a black dot on the rotor and use a tach scope (basically, a flashing light with a way of dialing in the flash rate). When the dot is standing still, the setting for the flash rate is the RPM (basically, the flash rate is set to do the math for you as Revolutions Per Minute is just Flashes Per Second divided by 60). You can borrow one from a mechanic or buy a cheap one from an electircal supply house. Used by folks that work on motors a lot.
RyuDarragh 1 year ago
@RyuDarragh Thanks for the info! I think some where I have a tach scope, if it still works. buckkhorn49
buckhorn49 1 year ago
@buckhorn49: Just remember that some automotive tach scopes need an external trigger so you may need to bodge an oscillator onto the trigger lead. A simple stroboscope can do in a pinch, but calibrate it against something with a known RPM :)
RyuDarragh 1 year ago
aww, it's electrically heated...
microblah 2 years ago 3
sorry, as far as I know all the Empire steam engines were heated that way. I know it's not accurate, but it is easier to run run that way and a whole lot less stinky in my basement.
buckhorn49 2 years ago
yeah, I suppose, but you don't get that smell of the fuel tablets (which is great if you don't like it)
microblah 2 years ago
wow i love it!
1944johndeerel 3 years ago
nice, tell me how it works.
steamyman 4 years ago
Awesome! First one of these I've ever seen in action. Good old 1920's-1930's tech :)
MisterOcclusion 4 years ago 2