Gas Control Valves

[Trainman 864]

Every live steamer I have (Accucraft, Bowande, Roundhouse etc.) suffers from very insensitive control of the gas flow to the burner. I understand that an American company (The Train Department) makes slow taper needles for the valves to fix this problem.

Does anybody know if these are available from a UK supplier - or if there are any other companies in the UK offering solutions to this problem. - and does anyone have any views on the effectiveness of these needles.

Many thanks

 

[Fezwig]

Every live steamer I have (Accucraft, Bowande, Roundhouse etc.) suffers from very insensitive control of the gas flow to the burner. I understand that an American company (The Train Department) makes slow taper needles for the valves to fix this problem.

Does anybody know if these are available from a UK supplier - or if there are any other companies in the UK offering solutions to this problem. - and does anyone have any views on the effectiveness of these needles.

Many thanks

Contact Simon at Anything Narrow Gauge

 

[Trainman 864]

Contact Simon at Anything Narrow Gauge

Thanks for that Pete - I just checked Simon's site and that looks like what I'm looking for - I'll give him a call on Monday.

I see he also sells WeeBee safety valves - I'm not sure why they are needed? - but peole who've installed them say they work very well.

 

[Paul M]

Every live steamer I have (Accucraft, Bowande, Roundhouse etc.) suffers from very insensitive control of the gas flow to the burner.

The mark of a live steamer, hairless hands, lack of of eyebrows and a very nervous disposition
I also find the make of butane affects the controllability of the flame.

 

[Trainman 864]

...... I also find the make of butane affects the controllability of the flame.

Yes, I've found that too - sometimes it's due to the actual gas composition (how much propane is in the mix) and sometimes it's dependant on how 'clean' the fuel is.

But, the main problem I've found - apart from the steep angle of the valve's spindle taper - is the excessively large manufacturing tolerances. Sometime I can just tap the valve handle sideways with no rotation at all and it makes a big difference to the size of the flame.

 

[Fred2179G]

I see he also sells WeeBee safety valves - I'm not sure why they are needed?

Accucraft safety valves are notorious for leaking and weeping. My EBT #12 used to hiss steam from the safety all the time it was running - it didn't seem to make any difference and I quite liked the effect. A Forney I was just painting weeped and 30 psi and started shooting steam at 40psi.
WeeBee valves are proper "pop" valves. At the appropriate pressure they open with no warning and then close when the pressure has dropped. (I find they are quite scary if you are standing near a big engine!) If your safety valve is weeping/leaking at 30 psi but not lifting completely until 40 or 50, then you might improve performance by using one.

Sometime I can just tap the valve handle sideways

My new Regner has a strange gas valve. If you change direction (e.g. try to close it slightly after opening it,) then nothing happens for 1/8th of a turn. I assume it is something to do with the O-ring's flexibility.