Accucraft Caradoc no pressure rise

S

stuartcymro1

I'm New, Please Be Gentle
My Accucraft Caradoc loco on start up raised pressure to just over 40psi, then after a few runs the steam pressure from the value went crazy and the pressure started to fall on the guage. I turned the gas off and let it cool. I tried firing up the loco and i can't get any pressure rise on the Caradoc. The loco creates steam and some smoke, but there is no pressure and the loco wont run properly if at all. Does anyone else have a pressure rise problem with running Accucraft live steam?
 
The first question would have to be what was the water level in the boiler?
 
When you say the pressure from the valve went crazy, you mean the safety valve? If you now can't raise steam is that valve failed and leaking? As above boiling the boiler dry can damage all sorts of things including seals so if it had run dry something could have melted a soldered joint or burnt a sealing washer? Beware though you could have damaged the boiler itself if it did boil dry so a proper hydraulic test or air underwater would them tell you where it's leaking, that'd need proper repairs.
 
When you filled the boiler first time was the over flow valve open to to bring the water level right? once you fired it up did steam come from the over flow? did you then shut it until pressure was reached on the gauge? if yes to all then as Paul says it could be the safety valve either it is loose or the seal around the base is broken or it is stuck inside, fortunately I don't think you would have damaged the boiler if boiled dry, it takes a lot of heat to melt silver solder but for peace of mind you could do a hydraulic test on it to 90 psi 1.5 times working pressure held for 30 minutes no more or you will damage the boiler.

Shaun
 
It's easy to forget to do things when doing repeated runs with a live steamer. Can you answer all these questions with a yes ?

1) Did you fill the boiler up full on each run and draw off 40-50 ml before closing the refill valve ?
2) Did you fill up the displacement lubricator with the correct grade steam oil before each run ?
3) Did you fully refill with Butane gas (not Butane/Propane mix or Propane alone) before each run ?
4) Did you close the blow down valve before lighting up and did it remain closed during the run ?
5) Did you remember to close the regulator after lighting up or when stopped (not just "out of gear") ?
6) Did the safety valve "blow off" whenever the pressure gauge read over 50-60 psi ?
7) Was the smoke you saw really smoke or just steam ? If smoke, was it only when lighting up, not during or towards the end of a run ?
8) Are you new to running live steamers ?

If yes to all the above then you might be having a bit of a panic and need to refine your technique.

I'm wondering if you have forgotten to refill the displacement lubricator or are even not using the correct grade or even proper "steam oil". That can blow out the oil seals in the cylinders, a fairly easy fix and parts should be available. I've seen pressure gauges do some fairly strange things when gunked up with the wrong grade steam oil. Ask the dealer, if bought from one, for help here. If bought privately Accucraft can advise you of your nearest service agent. Hope this helps, I've done just about everything on that list at some time or another. Max.
 
Until our friend finds time to reply to some of the questions I think we can only guess, but I suspect that as he says the safety seemed to release a lot of steam, and that he can now get no pressure, it is now stuck open, or lost its seal.

I really don't think a short run without steam oil will do any harm whatsoever with an Accy, they tend to over oil anyway.
 
Hi Stuart, I have a Caradoc and had a similar problem with steaming, with mine it would build up pressure to about 40 but when I opened up the reg it lost its steam and would run erratic. problem was the pipe which runs through the boiler had split and so as pressure built up the split opened so the steam pressure dropped. I contacted a David Mees (Accucraft Specialist) who repair it and it now runs like a dream, not sure how competent you are at dismantling the loco but it is one place to look.

regards. Derek

ps David Mees contact No is on the Accucraft web site.
 
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