By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Help needed - Installing a tender hand pump

Best way to connect the water supply into the boiler

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Greensands28/03/2021 21:01:41
449 forum posts
72 photos

I am building a 5" gauge locomotive which will be fitted with a couple of injectors feeding water into the boiler via a top feed arrangement but in addition I am also considering fitting a tender hand pump for use as an emergency back-up. Problem is finding the best way to connect the water supply from the hand pump into the boiler given that the only possible location for an independent clack valve on the current boiler is make use of one of two wash-out bushes mounted low down on the backhead which would not ideal in terms of accessibility.

As an alternative I have been considering the idea of inserting a Tee piece into one of the injector feed pipes leading to the top feed fitting but would like some assurance that this would be a practical solution. Does any have firsthand experience of such an arrangement?

Nigel Graham 228/03/2021 21:42:09
3293 forum posts
112 photos

I don't think there is any reason for the hand-pump not to share the top feed with an injector, but it may result in not being able to use all three feed methods at once.

I would ask though if a pump adding its output pulses to the injector delivery, possibly at higher pressure than the injector can give, would prevent that injector from working properly.

In emergencies you need all options!

It would need extra clack valve on the top--feeds. A Tee-piece alone would not be enough if upstream from the top-feed clack-valve. You'd need a second clack-valve in the injector delivery, otherwise at least some of the water from the punp would escape through the injector overflow.

For aesthetic reasons, it may be possible to arrange all this low down, adjacent to the injector, but it might call for a pipe size up from that used by the injector alone, and slightly larger top-feed clack-valve, to enable both devices to be used at once.

From the boiler's point of view, feeding cold water into the firebox water-space is not good, though mechanically feasible. You need run a pipe back under the foot-plate to a suitable connection on the drag-beam. If you need install a feed in a back-head wash-out bush, it would be better to route an injector to it and send the pump water to the vacated top-feed. (An injector heats the water.)

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate