This short video shows our new steam powered generator. The engine is a 1903 6hp CB & C, coupled to a 1940 Lookout Boiler. We built the alternator much along the lines of our wind turbines. At 200 rpm it puts right at 2000 Watts into my battery bank. It’s easy to sustain this burning local wood. Nice backup generator and loads of fun. Checkout the webpage about it all here: http://otherpower.com/steamengine.shtml
Duration : 0:0:17
[youtube fykeQNVadYk]
Wouldn’t metal coil …
Wouldn’t metal coil cores improve the efficiency?
You could. You …
You could. You could run a sterling engine off it, or use the steam for district heating. Of course, since they don’t run it often the district heating probably isn’t worth it. And it produces more power than they need, so it’s not worth harnessing the extra power output — except to save wood.
This is so cool! …
This is so cool! Can you do anything with the steam once you’ve made power with it?
Hi, Nice setup and …
Hi, Nice setup and I like what you are doing with the wind turbines as well. Could I get you to share with me where you source your N40 grade NdFeB magnets that are 1 1/2″ X 3″ X 3/4″? Thanks in advance!
your set up makes …
your set up makes my heart sing! 5/5
B@D@SS
B@D@SS
Great blend of old …
Great blend of old low tech reliability combined wih igenuity 2kw is very impressive, good example for everyone, great tha these old stationaries are sill looked after!, Thanks
Very enjoyable to …
Very enjoyable to watch this working device. It”s obvious that you all had fun embling and operating it. Definitely encourages me to press on with micro projects with my grandchildren when we move closer to them next year.
I’ve been looking …
I’ve been looking through your website because I’m planning to build a wind turbine and I have some questions: Where did you purchase your magnets and is it nessesary to use 1/2 inch thick steel for your rotors? Where can I go to learn about coil specs such as how to get a specific voltage and wattage?
Great work with the boiler! I heat my house with wood so this might be an option for me to look at. (Utilizing the exhaust heat and/or steam from the boiler)
I try to run the …
I try to run the boiler between 80 – 90 PSI.
how much psi does …
how much psi does the boiler produce to the steam engine?
Its simplicity is …
Its simplicity is such a beautiful thing, I would run this all the time where I live. Read your webpage, good job! Now I want one
I had to pick all …
I had to pick all the parts up seperately from various auctions, ebay… etc. I have seen similar rigs (often on trailers for display at fairs and such) go for $2500 —> up. There is a fair bit to know, and understand about steam power in order to run one safely. The boiler needs to be in good condition. Some types of boilers are safer than others. Books are a good place to start, and then find a ‘mentor’ that knows ‘steam’ (before you blow yourself up!)
Where do you get …
Where do you get one of these, or some thing like it? I want to start producing electricity with steam.
Holy that’s …
Holy that’s awesome
awesome! I can’t …
awesome! I can’t believe you got the engine for only $150!
OK, I understand. …
OK, I understand. That makes sense to me.
with no load it’s …
with no load it’s very quiet, you can barely hear the engine. Under a good load… it sounds like a locomotive climbing a hill. I rather enjoy the sound!
The boiler is a bit …
The boiler is a bit on the small side for an engine this size. It’s a 4hp boiler – the amazing thing is… I’m doing quite well already to get 2kW from a 4hp boiler *and* if I push it I can actually sustain 3kW output(if I burn coal). Iron cores would make for a smaller alternator – eddy current and hysteresis losses are unavoidable though with any iron core. Between that – vibration – and the other problems I prefer just to build a bit larger and throw a bit more magnet at the problem.
Iron cores in the …
Iron cores in the coils would allow for a smaller alternator. The vibration that the cores would go through would be problematic, it would be difficult to design a stator to hold up to it. It would also be difficult to fabricate. Good silicon steel is not cheap. As it is – in an alternator like this that generates 2kw @ 200 rpm there is already a *lot* of torque and vibration on the stator, I fear iron cores would make for an alternator that comes apart.
The engine itself …
The engine itself maybe is.. But I noticed that the boiler is pretty small.. Could boiler capacity be the problem?
I read your project …
I read your project description at otherpower. I recognized that you are using an ironless generator like used in wind turbines to avoid cogging.
Don’t you think the steam engine is strong enough to handle some iron in the coils? That would either allow to build a smaller (and chaeaper) generator or to get more power from the generator.
Sarcasm.
* …
Sarcasm.
*flicks your brow*
quiet?
quiet?
It’s nice and quiet
It’s nice and quiet