Dead leg lubricator

A very popular starting point for Live Steam. With their low cost comes a number of problems which can be discussed here
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DLRdan

Dead leg lubricator

Post by DLRdan » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:06 am

I've got a mamod for repair at the moment and it has one of these lubricators. Its operation is very unreliable, some times the container has no oil left others it is still full. Is there something i should be doing to make sure it works properly ?

Narrow Minded

Post by Narrow Minded » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:41 am

That's odd, I take it that all of the steam pipes (especially the lubricator) are a good fit?

DLRdan

Post by DLRdan » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:46 am

the pipes are soldered together and are all sealed, ive been running it for short periods by sucking oil down the pipe so i know its clear

Busted Bricks

Post by Busted Bricks » Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:22 pm

I did find a dead leg lubricator a bit hit and miss on a Mamod. I don't know if the fact that it sits before the regulator/reverser has an impact?

bessytractor
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Post by bessytractor » Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:55 pm

I don't think that would be an issue. I suspect its just "one of those things". Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. They are supposed to work by the "pumping" action of the cylinders. Maybe a vacuum is forming somewhere preventing it from working. I have never been keen on the theory of how they work, which is why on my Mamod I converted mine into a in-line displacement lubricator.
proudly flying in the face of convention

Crackingjob

Post by Crackingjob » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:59 pm

I have been given one of these and am asking if anyone has photos of fitting one
Thanks

ps the other Mamod I have (an early SLK1 for repair) has an inline one fitted in the cab.


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Chris Cairns
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Post by Chris Cairns » Mon Sep 17, 2012 4:24 pm

Any problems fitting this Dead Leg lubricator just ask - I have 4 fitted to my models.

Most important thing after fitting is to make sure you prime the steam pipe coming into the lubricator with steam oil - to do this I use a syringe with some steam oil and force the oil into the small pipe. After learning this simple but important tip all my dead leg lubricators now work although how much oil is used varies between the different locos.

Chris Cairns.

Crackingjob

Post by Crackingjob » Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:11 pm

lets see cut 22mm, bend and twist, and solder ummmmmm and as for the lubricator?

Thanks for the link and the photos just what the Dr needed

You need to do a hand book on line or paper...you really could clean up!!!

Thanks again

Crackingjob

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