[Steam-engine] Re:Water gauges

[Robert Smith]

Hi All --

I am surprised to see the mention of problems with "seeing a reflex
glass".  I was thinking that the term "Reflex glass" applied to a boiler
gauge that I saw several years ago on a simple vertical boiler.

However after browsing the web for more info on "reflex" gauges, I came
across so-called "red-line" gauges and now understand things much
better.

Google search argument = "+red+line+gauge+glass"

http://www.kaufmanglass.com/red_line.htm

The "red-line" gauge seems ideal for outdoor and mobile boilers.  The
gauge glass features a narrow red stripe down the back of the gauge
which is then painted over with a wide white stripe.  The varying index
of  refraction of water vs. air/steam and the gauge glass cause the
water in the bottom of the gauge to show a wide red strip while the
steam/air portion in the top of the gauge shows the narrow red stripe.
Since the gauge glass is not enclosed in a dark, metal chamber like the
reflex gauge there is normally plenty of ambient light available to show
the contrasting widths.

Google search argument = "+reflex+gauge+glass"

http://www.mckenziecorp.com/boiler_gauge_glass.htm

This web location contains a good description of the working principles
of the 'reflex' gauge and mentions the lighting problem.

    Best wishes,

        Bob Smith



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Blake" <blake at little-mountain.com>
To: "Steam-engine mailing list"
<steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 9:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Re:Water gauges


> Those reflex glasses are much harder to see the water level than a
> tubular sight glass. You're right, they don't leak as often and are
> less likely to break. Sometimes it can be a real pain to see where
> the water level is with them.
>
> Blake
>
> On Apr 4, 2006, at 2:53 PM, Francis Orr wrote:
>
> > Rick, I think it is interesting that there has only been one
> > mention of
> > The other item no one has mentioned is a reflex glass. This is what
> > the big
> > boys use, a piece of prizmatic glass in a holder, mounted in the
> > fittings
> > you have. Most of the steam boaters are going to this type of
> > glass. We have
> > a supplier making beautiful new brass gauges. While a reflex glass
> > wouldn't
> > be original on a traction engine, it certainly would be on your
> > vertical
> > boiler. Look it up in  McMaster-Carr. By the way, those angled
> > fittings on
> > your new acquisition are really nice.
> > Francis
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >
>
>
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