[Steam-engine] Indicator

[Francis Orr]

Rick,

That is a great website on the indicator. However, one thing it doesn't tell
or show, you need to take TWO cards, one for each end of the cylinder unless
you have a single acting engine. The normal piping on a large engine has a
cock on the indicator steam line that lets you select one end of the
cylinder or the other.

You asked about valve setting. I will have to dig up a piece of video for
you about an engine in Brooklyn. It was a generating engine and the load had
decreased to where it was only the elevators (DC) and the engine had gotten
very very noisy. An old engineer was called in and after taking indicator
cards, he reset the valves and the engine quieted right down.

In another case in Pearl City, Hawaii (Pearl Harbor area) the sugar mill
there wanted to up their output but weren't sure if the engine on the cane
rolls was up to it. After running indicator cards, they found that they
could get a couple of hundred more HP out of it and up their production.

Francis A. Orr

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richard Strobel" <Richard_Strobel7 at msn.com>
To: "Steam-engine mailing list" <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Indicator


> Thanks Bruce..most interesting.  So the spring loaded string goes on the
> eccentric rod....where on the engine is the pressure tapped off of for the
> indicator?
>
>   Peter Forbes has a nice site for some indicators.  I always like the
> workmanship on these old tools:
>
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel/Indicator/Indicator1.htm
>
> Regards,
> Rick
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bruce & Marlene Babcock" <babcock2 at gte.net>
> To: "Steam-engine mailing list" <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 3:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Indicator
>
>
> > Rick,
> >
> > I have several indicators and, over the past few years, I have been
using
> > them on traction engines at several of the shows here in Ohio, and at
one
> > show in Indiana.  I have also used one on the 100+ year old engines on
the
> > steamboat the Belle of Louisville, and on one stationary steam engine.
> >
> > Yes, they are fascinating tools.  I have learned, however, that being
able
> > to take cards with with an indicator and being able to understand what
> > they mean are two separate challenges.  I am still working on the second
> > part.
> >
> > One difficulty in using an indicator is to find one that has the
> > appropriate accessories:
> >   1.. You will need to have a reducing motion to reduce the stroke of
the
> > engine to  4 or 5-inches, which is the most that an indicator can
handle.
> > It is possible to make your own reducing motion if necessary.  I made
one
> > for the Belle of Louisville because the 6ft. 6 in. stroke was too much
for
> > any reducing motion I have.
> >   2.. You will also need to have the proper size spring in the
indicator.
> > If the spring is too strong, you will get results that are to small to
be
> > meaningful.  If the spring is too weak you can still use it, but you
will
> > need to reduce the load on the engine to get meaningful cards and to
avoid
> > damaging the spring.
> >   3.. To use an indicator, you must have the engine under a load.  The
> > best load is a Prony brake because it is easily adjustable.  I have used
a
> > Baker fan on one occasion.
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Bruce E. Babcock
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Richard Strobel" <Richard_Strobel7 at msn.com>
> > To: "Steam-engine mailing list"
<steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:47 PM
> > Subject: [Steam-engine] Indicator
> >
> >
> > > Howdy all;
> > >   Does anyone have a steam indicator and knows how to use it?  Seems
> > > like a
> > > fascinating tool.
> > >
> > > Best Regards,
> > > RickinMt.
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
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> >
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