Regner Betty - First run woes

hemingp

hemingp

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Dear forum members, ran my Regner Betty for the first time this weekend. Bought it ready made from Martins models last November so would have been one of his last. Runs an absolute treat however i suspect i had a couple fires in the smoke box due to my experience (or lack of it) as the smoke box door is now discoloured and i did get real smoke from the chimney. ::) All this happened whilst lighting up and having read various threads on other Regners, probably down to over filling the gas tank which caused liquid butane to gather. Lesson learnt. I`d really appreciate any views or suggestions if anyone thinks contrary..
Apart from that, love the little beast but... them nameplates have gotta go!
 

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Not sure how overfilling Gas Tank would cause a build up of gas in the Smokebox. But if so, suggest a few minutes gap between filling gas and lighting up may help. Also perhaps a bit of flapping with a cloth may help overgassing to disperce during those minutes.

I would personally not overworry about the discolouring, happened to the real thing too with odd burn ups.
JonD
 
Hi Jon, thanks for your comments.. I'm wondering if the paint on the door itself is a bit low spec as its burnt evenly and there's no sign of any damage else where. I'll be more careful going forward lighting up though..
 
A local group member has one of these, on 32mm.
He has similar problmes, but has not yet burnt the smokebox.
It all sounds similar to Accucraft gas systems.
You just can't tell if it's over filled.
Usual advice is, after filling, to open the gas valve for a few seconds, letting xs liquid gas flow out.
Then make sure the gas is dispersed before lighting up.
 
When lighting up have the smoke box door open. Crack open the gas regulator for a couple of seconds and then close it down. Get one of those "camping" lighters, the ones that have a pinpoint flame that are almost impossible to blow out. Then light up through the smoke box door and open the gas regulator at the same time. If a flame comes out the smoke box don't panic, slowly close down the gas regulator till the flame goes out and you get a popping sound and a roar from the burner. Let it settle for a minute or two till you get a constant roar then slowly close down the gas regulator as much as you can without the burner going out. Now close the smoke box door.

Discolouraton of the smoke box door may be down to a paint quality issue but is inevitable as the burner tube is directed at it, like a flame thrower. Try to always run the loco with the minimum gas without compromising steam making ability to meet load requirements. Every loco has different characteristics. All part of the fun of learning to operate a live steam loco. All my Accucraft US locos with silver doors are now a nice even bronze Max.
 
'Discolouraton of the smoke box door may be down to a paint quality issue but is inevitable as the burner tube is directed at it, like a flame thrower.'

I have an Accucraft Superior and suffered the same problem, I managed to solve it by fitting a baffle in front of the fire tube about a 1/4". this is a piece of brass about
1 1/4" high with two wings bent at 90 degrees to act as a spacer against the boiler, the baffle is slotted to go over the steam pipe, another piece of brass was shaped to the bottom of the smoke box with a 3/8" by 1" slot to allow for the exhaust and steam connection to the steam chest the two once in place are held there with high temp silicone as used for flue jointing. You can still get a blow lamp effect if you turn the gas on too much as with any burner but once settled it is a little quieter and steam raising a little quicker.

Shaun
 
I fitted a gauze to the burner on mine, this calms the flame as well as stopping it howling like a banshee. Worst burner I have come across since my Beck Anna.
 
Thanks for your suggestions Neil and Shaun. I'm pretty new to this modification side of things. Would you by any chance have a photo.. I get the concept but not found anything anywhere of how these enhancements are done..
Cheers...
Phil
 
http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=41694

Try this site

Shaun
 
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