My new Billy on first steam with slo mo

skycap

skycap

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I am really excited about my new Roundhouse Billy with a Performance Steam Products slo mo unit and A chuffer in the stack. After running first on air for 8 hours it worked without any adjustments when i switched over to steam. I just needed to adjust forward/reverse setting but the timing did not need to be adjusted. I just need to aid the cab and a few details and it will be ready for the track.

 
My Jack which is pretty much the same Chassis had a SloMo fitted this Year. Also have to say how good it is, sorted out a few Shunt Issues from an Operating Day Yesterday entirely with Jack. Slow Shunting by Jack made the job a real pleasure.
JonD
 
I was able to run my first track test this morning and everything worked perfectly including forward/reverse. The burner will be adjusted lower the next run. I am really happy with the performance and how realistically she runs.


 
Roundhouse Burner attachment can be tricky at best. I find it pays to get the Loco to around 30 PSI, then turn the burner as low as it can go, this will tend to reduce the Roar some and stop that Plume of Steam which will cut down your Time Lengh on your Run. But what a difference to SloMo makes, shunting is now a pleasure and for the first time a real controllable Train Session can be had.
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
Roundhouse Burner attachment can be tricky at best. I find it pays to get the Loco to around 30 PSI, then turn the burner as low as it can go, this will tend to reduce the Roar some and stop that Plume of Steam which will cut down your Time Lengh on your Run. But what a difference to SloMo makes, shunting is now a pleasure and for the first time a real controllable Train Session can be had.
JonD
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Thanks for the advise. I haven't run a Billy in years. In yesterday's test I filled the gas tank and removed 30 ml of cold distilled water after filling the boiler full per the instructions. I got 19 plus minutes of run time plus 6 or 7 minutes to heat the boiler. During my bench tests I was able to get the burner lower. Part of my problem is my hearing isn't what it use to be which makes it more difficult to adjust the burner lower and know that it is still lit. I'm glad I have had the experience of both a standard and slo mo equipped Billy. I find it is helpful when climbing a grade with a slow mo unit. The extra momentum at slower speeds due to the stored energy in the flywheel makes climbing grades a joy. It reminds me of the Regner Lumber Jack which I owned which is a geared engine. That loco was so controllable even manually without the benefit of radio control. The review I read called the slo mo unit revolutionary for the hobby and I agree. After watching videos on You Tube I decided that having a Billy with the slo mo unit would be an exciting project. People might be interested in knowing that only 5 slo mo units are made each month and it is best to get on the PSP waiting list if considering buying one. I use a hitec radio and found that the small size of the minima receiver made receiver installation a snap.
 
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skycap said:
Thanks for the advise. I haven't run a Billy in years. In yesterday's test I filled the gas tank and removed 30 ml of cold distilled water after filling the boiler full per the instructions. I got 19 plus minutes of run time plus 6 or 7 minutes to heat the boiler. During my bench tests I was able to get the burner lower. Part of my problem is my hearing isn't what it use to be which makes it more difficult to adjust the burner lower and know that it is still lit. I'm glad I have had the experience of both a standard and slo mo equipped Billy. I find it is helpful when climbing a grade with a slow mo unit. The extra momentum at slower speeds due to the stored energy in the flywheel makes climbing grades a joy. It reminds me of the Regner Lumber Jack which I owned which is a geared engine. That loco was so controllable even manually without the benefit of radio control. The review I read called the slo mo unit revolutionary for the hobby and I agree. After watching videos on You Tube I decided that having a Billy with the slo mo unit would be an exciting project. People might be interested in knowing that only 5 slo mo units are made each month and it is best to get on the PSP waiting list if considering buying one. I use a hitec radio and found that the small size of the minima receiver made receiver installation a snap.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear about your hearing, another test is to adjust the Burner and put your palm over the Chimney, you will soon know if the Burner is alight. Obviously this will only work when Stationary! 30mm Water Removal from a full Boiler is spot on. With reduced burner and steady running you may be able to get 25 Mins Plus run. However the SloMo does reduce endurance a tadge, a price well worth paying.

One of the guys in the Beds 16mm group used to get his Jack to run for getting on 40 Minutes. Slow speed, careful Gas Adjustment plus indoors helped him at the Club Days.

Live Steam, such a joyful experience.
JonD
 
Slow speed running. First day pulling coaches. Slow speed operation with slo mo demonstrated. It is so much fun with this unit and radio control. This loco is performing better than I thought possible.


 
A wonderful run early this morning. Sounds great when it works the grade next to the shed. I enjoy this more each time I run Billy.

 
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