Pondering the use, placement and do's and dont's regarding check valves in lubricator lines. Do metered orifices take the place of checks? Are they used in conjunction ? Should they be at the supplied device or at the Lubricator end ? My lubricator literature has nothing on applications /installations/ troubleshooting.

A few drops of wisdom from the crowd ?

Bill

staybolt@bellsouth.net

Chokes are SOP for the older lubricators. Generally they are present near the back end of the lubricator output fittings and at the input fittings on the valve chests. Some more modern engines used seperate "atomizers" to break up the feeds from the lubricators before supplying the machinery. A little soaker like 17 should have no difficulties with the standard installation.

Terminal check valves with set "cracking" pressures higher than operating steam pressures in the valves / cylinders were used as terminal fittings in mechnical force feed lubricator systems.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net

> Dear Bill:
As Dave mentioned, the chokes on the lines to the cylinders ought to be as close to the connection at the cylinder as possible. The diameter of the opening in the choke should be the same as the diameter of choke on the lubricator. Usually, the line to the air compressor doesn't have a choke where it feeds into the steam line to the compressor. In all cases the lines should run down towards whatever they are feeding at all times, no level sections and certainly no sags.
If your lubricator is in good condition (no leaks internally or externally) all the connections are tight and the correct type of oil used, it ought to work fine. Some people put shavings of IVORY soap in with the oil to keep the inside of the unit clean and to keep the sight glasses from clouding up.
Be very careful when refilling the unit when there is pressure on the boiler. If the unit isn't relieved of all steam pressure it will spew hot oil on you when you remove the fill plug. It will also do this if the shut off valves leak a bit. I used to drill a warning hole in the fill plugs of mine, a 1/8" diameter blind hole in the center of, and parallel to the plug, ending about even with the end of the threads and another 1/8" diameter hole through the threads just under the flange that seals the plug, intersecting the hole in the center. This warning hole will squirt if the plug is loosened if there is pressure inside the unit.
Good luck.
J.David

jdconrad@snet.net

> As J. David said, run all lines downhill, which usually results in a mounting point high on the backhead, facing the engineer.
One tip in refilling the lubricator while the boiler is under pressure, is to shut off the steam supply to the air pump and open the drain valves out on the pump. If you don't, and the air pump cycles while the filler plug is out, the lubricator will burp hot oil all over you and the ceiling (I've wiped off a ceiling or two!) due to steam pressure coming back through the lubricator line.

swstmloco@aol.com

Since I'm allergic to being sprayed with steaming hot oil I appreciate the info.

staybolt@bellsouth.net

Little River Locomotive Company has a nice little book on hydrostatic and mechanical lubricators under the "Appliance Manuals (Steam)" section. the book is called "Locomotive Lubricators" for $14.95 + S&H. It answers most of your lubricator related questions.


little river locomtive books