Homemade Steam Engine Conversion Run

This started life as a string trimmer engine, then ran on air to make sure it would work, now we are live on 20 to 25 psi steam. You can definitely tell steam can outperform compressed air from this video.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• homemade
• steam
• engine
• boiler

[Boyntonstu]

Nice video. Is it possible to measure the steam pressure near the bottom of the stroke?

A coil of tubing (monotube) would be safer as you go higher in pressure.

[theairgunman]

@Boyntonstu It is, I've installed a pressure gauge on the spark plug hole that shows cylinder pressure. I'm estimating that once the engine is running, cylinder pressure should be around 10 to 15 psi as 15 psi is the most pressure the boiler can seem to maintain under a constant load. The intake stays open for the entire downstroke. Monotube is my next project :) I dont like this potential bomb too well.

[Boyntonstu]

@theairgunman Great having a spark plug gauge.

I eagerly await your next video with the reading.

My main concern is the reaction time of the gauge, but it should indicate direction.

[theairgunman]

@Boyntonstu I actually have some detailed video of the gauge with it running off compressed air, I'll upload that for you here in a bit.

[xXvapourXx]

get a 3000 psi scuba tank then try it out :D

[theairgunman]

@xXvapourXx Compressed air has a relatively low energy density, that's why I switched to steam for the engines. Now I'm beginning to wonder what kind of gun I could make powered with steam :)

[lusoportugal08]

good work and hope you get the result soon. thanks for the example. Good energies to you.

[apples13able]

@tryin2lhard Thanx for the info about the 3". Maybe I'll make a cookstove with it and get 4" for the heater. Maybe weld 4 or 4 1/2" round atop 4" square with 4" threaded pipe welded underneath for ash pit/cleanout - add controllable blower for forge experiments or maybe quicker less smokey starts? ... Square is burntube leading to fuel feed and air intake/cleanout door like yours...

[tryin2lhard]

@tryin2lhard sorry thought I was responding to theairgunman

[tryin2lhard]

@apples13able I shoud be able to get 40 to 45 miles to a gallon easily, as well the improved performance and power was amazing, no black carbon build up at the tail pipe either after installing the system.

We we are having way too much fun man, you are doing some very cool stuff, will keep watching your vids! Like your air gun work as well, looks promising.

[tryin2lhard]

@apples13able I purchased two hydrogen cells on ebay, they are pretty darn nice, cost me about two hundred bucks with hoses and bubbler tank and wire.

Not a bad deal, I installed one on my Mazda protegee and gained six miles to a gallon, could have gained much more, problem was my oxygen sensor was bad and I just got it replaced and will get back to dialing it in, you also have to purchase an efie that sends false signals to your computer box to lean out your system., pretty cool stuff.

[tryin2lhard]

@apples13able Yah I agree, scrap is my candy land! on my next build I will be using 4" pipe for my chimney, the 3" works well but needs to be cleaned about twice a month.

Make sure you create an access door for cleaning out below the chimney as well at the elbow, I would put the chimney elbow up a good six inches more than where I put it.

[apples13able]

@tryin2lhard I did manage to get to the local scrap yard. Total chaos over there! Eb and flow of metal pieces getting crushed, magnetized & moved about. Picked up a 28" 3"diam pipe, maybe 1/4" thick, for a rocket stove chimney. Maybe for a propane tank cook rkt stove. I want to get some 4" or wider pipe for a Heater like yours... I probably need 36" in length.. I could lengthen it, I'll see what happens, it was only $3. I'm getting obsessed with scrap lately. The city scrap yard is like fishing!

[apples13able]

@tryin2lhard Cool! I found the website and they have a diesel fuel additive as well. I'll ask my parts store about it or I'll just order some. I read one of your posts that you have a hydrogen boaster. How is that working out? Did you make it or did you buy it? Something I've been wanting to get into.. I did bild a simple cheap Stop&Shop brute force electrolysis generator. Powerful loud gas when sparked! HHO is really cool. I gotta fix my '81 Jetta diesel tom & million other things first tho!

[tryin2lhard]

@apples13able The additive is called IXL, amazing stuff, I had driven thirty miles one day bone dry on oil, had no idea my oil had gotten that low, I am talking about lifters rattling the whole way:>) My engine was just fine, you have to run it in the engine before you take it apart, heat plays a part in the conditioning process. There is a fella near me that I buy it from, he has a website, but you may find someone closer to you.

I gained five miles a gallon in my jeep, and three in a 440

[apples13able]

@tryin2lhard What's the name of the additive? I often use Lucas in the crankcase and same brand different additive in the fuel.