Topic: Refillable gas tank positioning ? (Read 11594 times)

benjaml1 · « **on:** January 31, 2010, 04:44:26 pm »

As close to the boiler as reasonably practical ( to keep it nice & toasty) or keep it far away ? Your thoughts please Gentlemen ?

Underpressure · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2010, 04:51:39 pm »

I prefer toasty, although you do need to be able to operate the gas valve without being burnt.

You can always make a conductor of some sort to help warm the tank using the boiler.

Neil

benjaml1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2010, 05:05:00 pm »

Thank you for your fast response...

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:00:48 pm »

Sometimes the gas pipe to the burner is enough to transfer some heat. I have a tank about an inch away from a cheddar boiler and it gets gently warmed from the pipe.

benjaml1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:08:47 pm »

Everything is bolted down to a heavy brass bed, it was my intention that superfluous boiler heat be conducted though there to all components.. I plan isolate this hot zone from the vessel, the steam/power plant being easily removed as one unit for mtnc....

Thanks, nice to see I'm on the right path...

HS93 (RIP) · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:16:19 pm »

how are you going to fill the gas tank ?

Peter

benjaml1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:51:04 pm »

Quote from: HS93 on January 31, 2010, 06:16:19 pm

how are you going to fill the gas tank ?

Peter

It's got a "Ronson" connector ....Anything I should know about ? As I have said before, I'm new to this steam lark & am still learning...

HS93 (RIP) · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2010, 07:25:44 pm »

you should always take the tank out of the boat to fill it as the gas is heaver than air and will stay in the boat when you light the burner it will flash and if not damage your boat but can burn you quite badly. there have been a few posts on the subject recently

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22074.msg217398#msg217398

Peter

benjaml1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2010, 07:53:58 pm »

Many thanks for that Peter, I wasn't aware & will come up with something...

Hmmmm...Battery powered leaf blower...

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:01:35 pm »

Quote from: benjaml1 on January 31, 2010, 07:53:58 pm

Many thanks for that Peter, I wasn't aware & will come up with something...

If your tank is fixed to the base of the model and you have to fill it in place then you have to think of taking a few precautions. Have a look at what I did with my own build which was also restricted by having the gas tank fixed. As long as you are aware of all the potential dangers and ensure that you take every precautions to avoid them you should be as safe as any other method of filing.

I personally think the Ronson type of filling valves are not the safest of items and having liquid gas spitting all over your hands and clothing is something that needs to be avoided.

Have a look here at section Twelve:

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6094.msg211975#new

benjaml1 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:10:52 pm »

Thanks for that, a quick scan showed some stunning work, I shall read it all with a favorite beverage...

HS93 (RIP) · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:25:37 am »

Quote from: Bunkerbarge on January 31, 2010, 08:01:35 pm

If your tank is fixed to the base of the model and you have to fill it in place then you have to think of taking a few precautions. Have a look at what I did with my own build which was also restricted by having the gas tank fixed. As long as you are aware of all the potential dangers and ensure that you take every precautions to avoid them you should be as safe as any other method of filing.

I personally think the Ronson type of filling valves are not the safest of items and having liquid gas spitting all over your hands and clothing is something that needs to be avoided.

Have a look here at section Twelve:

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6094.msg211975#new

can you tell me a manufacture of model boiler gas tanks that does not use the Ronson type filler's ?,

I would not stay close by when you lit the boiler.
peter

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2010, 12:40:10 pm »

Quote from: HS93 on February 01, 2010, 03:25:37 am

can you tell me a manufacture of model boiler gas tanks that does not use the Ronson type filler's ?,

Of course not but it's easy to see why isn't it? If they fitted a proper valve it would never be the right thread or pipe size to suit everyone and, probably the biggest factor, they are cheap. However just because that's what a manufacturer gives you doesn't mean to say that is what you have to accept. With a Ronson type of valve you have absolutely no idea how much liquid you have put in the tank, unless you are in the habit of carrying around a set of scales in your pocket. This at the least can be inconvenient when the tank runs out before you thought it should or it can be hazardous when the tank is actually completely full because another severe deficiency is the fact that the valve does guarrantee you a maximum liquid level so you could even find that you do not have any free gas space left at the top after filing.

I prefer to know a little bit more about what is going on. When I've filled my tank I know exactly what level of liquid there is in there and I know that there is a gas space above the liquid. As I fill the vent valve is only just off it's seat so I'm loosing a minimal amout of gas and as soon as I see liquid I stop. It is simple and quite safe.

I'm not going to knock anyone who still prefers to use the Ronson type of filler, if they want to go for a walk in the woods and try to gas half the local squirrel population and waste as much gas as they manage to get into the tank they are a very effective device.

As always it's each to thier own and the important thing is that no matter what method you use you should be aware of the nature and dangers of gas and treat it accordingly. An example of this is that after each fill I blow the hull thriough with a small battery driven fan. This is only a precaution and I'm sure quite unecessary but you can't be too carefull. Before anyone says anything no, it isn't an intrinsically safe fan, I operate it from outside the hull!! I'm sure that sticking your head in there and blowing would be just as effective as well.

Circlip · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2010, 04:37:39 pm »

Bought one of these recently for its INTENDED purpose, SWTSMBO was highly impressed, 'Taint Missile Technology to adapt for gas extraction duties. DESPITE what the directions say, it is single speed and power requirements are USB or 5V to the uninitiated.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9184

Regards Ian.

benjaml1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2010, 04:55:08 pm »

I was wondering about the intrinsic safety of a DC powered extraction system, my reasoning for opting for this in the blower mode:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cougar-18V-Cordless-Blower-in-Black_W0QQitemZ140372077457QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Home_Garden_GardenPowerTools_CA?hash=item20aed3eb91

It was pointed out to me that my deck fittings would need to be secure though...

Bunkerbarge · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2010, 05:39:11 pm »

You only want to disperse a bit of settled gas, not remove the leaves from the back garden!!

benjaml1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2010, 05:44:52 pm »

I may fit an auxilliary sail....

andywright · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2010, 05:51:33 pm »

I've tucked mine in alongside the boiler, it is a warm position, every bit helps

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3755.50

Andy

benjaml1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:01:46 pm »

Quote from: andywright on February 01, 2010, 05:51:33 pm

I've tucked mine in alongside the boiler, it is a warm position, every bit helps

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3755.50

Andy

Thanks

Geoff · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2010, 01:53:43 pm »

On my model of Canopus I put the gas tank next to the condensor, just touching it, for a degree of heat transfer. This works well and even on a cold day at the end of a run the gas tank is warm to touch.

This works well and is something I am building into my steam powered model of Velox.

G

benjaml1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 17, 2010, 03:29:43 pm »

Thanks for that Geoff...

benjaml1 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 19, 2010, 09:57:20 pm »

OK, filling the tank, how do you know when it's safely full ?? I know there should be an airspace etc.etc. Is there a sign to look for ?

knoby · « **Reply #22 on:** April 19, 2010, 10:27:54 pm »

I have been thinking the same thing during recent trials of my steam plant, how do you know when the tank is full? I got digital scales, which are fine once you establish what the tank should weigh when full. However how do you arrive at the figure, as you are never aware how full the tank really is.

further thought has lead me to arrive at the conclusion that BunkerBagre's method is the way forward. It appears the only way to be sure how much gas is in the tank. I am looking to modify my own tank from ronson type filler to using a valve with a dip tube.

Further to that, does anyone know what thread the ronson filler is?

Cheers Glenn

MONAHAN STEAM MODELS · « **Reply #23 on:** April 19, 2010, 10:36:18 pm »

4.5 X .5mm

knoby · « **Reply #24 on:** April 21, 2010, 12:23:09 am »

thanks Nick

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Author Topic: Refillable gas tank positioning ? (Read 11594 times)

benjaml1

Underpressure

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

benjaml1

Geoff

benjaml1

benjaml1

knoby

MONAHAN STEAM MODELS

knoby