[SEL] Big FBM vertical started with Steam compressor

[bill at antique-engines.com]

We've got an air start FM diesel at Waukee as part of the permanent engine
display.
A bar is used to turn the engine over via flywheel to a certain point
while the air pressure is built up in the tank. A valve is opened and the
air cranks the engine over to start it.

Pretty cool. Has a Woodward governor on the "front" end. Takes a bit of
muscle to get the engine lined up for the air charge and if you miss, you
go around again........

Bill

> G'day all;
>   Well I finally got the real story on this display down at the Barnes
> Steam
> and Power show.  Here's the boiler and rather large Ingersol Sargent
> Steam/Air Compressor..note the large air tank:
>
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/87230418/87484390YUgaLN
>
> The compressed air is piped underground to the FBM for starting..here's
> the
> FBM:
>
> http://community.webshots.com/photo/87230418/87231092MsCWEP
>
> Thanks to Gary Yaeger for explaining this setup...here's his description:
>
>
> "
> Rick,
> I wonder if John Hochstettler no longer comes their show?  He used to be
> the
> FBM guy.  John would get their propane torch over at the FBM and pre-heat
> the copper "glow plug" pins.  Meanwhile over at the Broderick boiler,
> pressure is setting on 150 PSI and everyone is in place to run the 700 hp
> Ingersol Sargent steam compressor.  One of the Barnes' would climb up to
> the
> main steam valve, crack it open so the condensate would blow out of all
> ends
> of the cylinders, gradually speeding the RPMs until the cylinder cocks
> could
> be shut.  Then they'd open the main valve until it was running full speed.
> When the compressor storage tank was near the top, they'd open a large
> valve
> that ran underground to the FBM.  It would start turning over and would
> soon
> "light up."  The IR compressor was shut down, as the boiler was dreained
> way
> down anyway, and someone would release the rest of the pressure in the
> compressor tank.  I don't remember exactly how the FBM was controlled, but
> he'd let it almost stop, then send more diesel fuel.  After a huge
> explosive
> backfire, it'd take off again.  Only one cylinder runs in a steady pull.
> Throttling it back, then opening the throttle, it'd run on both cylinders,
> until it got up to speed again.  Pretty simple, huh?
> _______________________________________________
> SEL mailing list
> SEL at lists.stationary-engine.com
> http://www.stationary-engine.com/mailman/listinfo/sel
>