Some pics of modifying Caradoc

[mhlr]

And they blow up at about 300 psi.

Have you been experimenting Simon?

LMAO!!!!!!!

[ptlrcecil]

No it was a website I saw a while back. Some company in ameriaca was pressure testing boilers to destruction on live steam engines and accucaft was in there. I think roundhouse blew up at slightly less than 300psi.

[laalratty]

What would you expect, roundhouse engines working pressure is only 40psi ( although iv heard of people screwing their safety valves down )
To get back on topic, caradocs lining is finished meaning that it should be reassembled for phtographs soon

[mhlr]

Going onto something different, I was at a Helford River Sailing Club do last night, and conicedently, I was sat next to a 16mm member! He has a Caradoc (his only loco!) and was saying that he only uses Butane in it, and he said that I should not use B&P mix at all as he has heard of explosions. But some people has said it is OK to use it, especially on cold days. But I cannot find a supplier of butane only, and as he's a ex engineer, I cant really ignore what he said. SO WHAT CAN I DO? I dont have any Butane !

[laalratty]

I've been using b/p mix in Caradoc since november and it hasn't blown up! Couldn't get it to steam in cold tempretures on straight butane although my millie will. I don't think there is a problem using mix as long as its got more butane then propane

[laalratty]

Back on topic, and here is the finished article, my detailed Caradoc


Cab interior


Just because the engine is finished now does not mean that I will make no more changes, at some point I would like to get a safety valve bonnet, then there are name and number plates, possibly a working whistle..........

[Matt]

That looks very, very, very, very, very, very good Laalratty .

[mhlr]

I must say thats one of the best looking Caradocs I've ever seen! Wow!

[laalratty]

Thanks, btw great signiture there Matt

[SillyBilly]

Oh ye! Very Nice!

[mhlr]

I've been using b/p mix in Caradoc since november and it hasn't blown up! Couldn't get it to steam in cold tempretures on straight butane although my millie will. I don't think there is a problem using mix as long as its got more butane then propane

This is what I mean, some say its ok, some dont... I cant decide. It's summut like 60/40 mix. Or summut like that (70/30?). I will keep using it until I get to buy some pure butane I think.

[SillyBilly]

I questioned my friend on this matter, and he said that it doesn't make sod all diffrence saftey wise, he argues that the cans for both gasses are made out of the same thickness material which is wafer thin and therefore there is nothing to worry about, as some will know, Butane/Propane mix is better for colder weather.

[laalratty]

Well you wouldn't want to stop steaming your loco would you

[Chris Cairns]

I asked this question about butane/propane mix on another Forum and again got mixed views.

I started with gas burners on my Cheddar Models marine engines, and indeed Cheddar recommended using a 70% Butane/30%Propane mix. So when I got my Mamod William, and fitted the PPS gas burner into my IP Jane I've been using this mix again. However I could no longer get a 70%B/30%P mix and have had to use a 65%B/35%P mix which seems to get too hot and the water is running out first in both these locos.

Like others I have been unable to find a local supplier of butane in the large canisters, only 1 supplier who supplies it in the small canisters making it a more expensive option.

What you do need to be careful about is your jet setting as these different mixes require different amounts of air. I assume for the centre flue boilers that you need to set up the jet setting with the burner out of the boiler, or do you use the nose over the chimney for smell like Cheddar advised me? As the PPS burner is fully enclosed by the combustion chamber, and you cannot see the ceramic element, I had to set it up off the loco.

Do take care when filling up these gas tanks - I did it close to a meths burning loco and lost some of the hair on my hands from the fireball - certainly gets your attention very quickly!!

[mhlr]

Sounds like I will be using it until I can get some then. I have about 5 large canisters of the stuff for Columbine (my mamod), so I wont be in a hurry! I noticed that the gas still runs out on my edrig before the water when using B&P, but I will still be careful.

On filling, I dont run 2 engines at the same time (ATM anyway). And my steam up area has been carfully planned to be away from the running line.

[mhlr]

oh, perhaps for the price of Butane, I will just use it in the summer as it gets quite hot here in Cornwall.

[ptlrcecil]

Wow. Ill have to bring mine on friday.

[laalratty]

The two should look good together

[mhlr]

Wow. Ill have to bring mine on friday.

eh?

[ptlrcecil]

Wow. Ill have to bring mine on friday.

eh?

Me, my dad and a mad binge drinking IRA terroist are decending on rattys this friday. Should be fun. Ill have a couple more tube videos on of the weekends steaming next week.