HP estimation and boiler suggestions welcomed

Currently running some tests and minor adjustments to the pictured engine. A very nice looking job. No, the lubricator is not at a nasty angle.. Just the perspective effect of the pic. Recently showed it to a fellow enthusiast and I had to just about force him out of the shed with a fire hose. This engine is 1 1/4 + 2 1/4 x 2 1/8' stroke. Runs happily at around 60psi on air. I'd expect it to do better on steam. I'd be happy to hear any suggestions no matter how rough as to estimated HP. Boiler ideas would be handy too. Thinking of a VFT and putting the engine to work in about a 12ft or so dinghy. Cheers from downunder.. Geoff.

Easiest way of finding the brake HP of a motor would (for me), be to couple it up to a generator, and load it up, that will give the power in Watts minus the efficiency of the generator. I think I remember a formula from Mechanics class at school P.L.A.N.(can't remember which) divided or multiplied by 33000, there is another thread about this. Ian S C

Prony brake on the flywheel is simple and will give an exact result for given rpm.

Just google 'prony brake'

neil

Oops, forgot about that, I'v got one that I use on my hot air engines.  You can either use weights on an adjustable beam,  or a spring balance.      Ian S C

Edited By Ian S C on 13/11/2013 10:08:29