Mounting Water Glass

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

trivettj
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: banner elk north carolina

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by trivettj »

I always run 3/4 glass of water on flat and right at full uphill so when I turn down hill I usually see 1/4 or more in the glass so would that keep me safe? I just measured and the bottom of my glass is right at 1" above the crown sheet.
Marty_Knox
Posts: 1724
Joined: Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:50 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Marty_Knox »

trivettj wrote:I always run 3/4 glass of water on flat and right at full uphill so when I turn down hill I usually see 1/4 or more in the glass so would that keep me safe? I just measured and the bottom of my glass is right at 1" above the crown sheet.
Sounds good to me!
User avatar
Fred_V
Posts: 4370
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:26 pm

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Fred_V »

trivettj wrote:I always run 3/4 glass of water on flat and right at full uphill so when I turn down hill I usually see 1/4 or more in the glass so would that keep me safe? I just measured and the bottom of my glass is right at 1" above the crown sheet.
It is the down grade you have to worry about not the upgrade.
Fred V
Fred V
Pensacola, Fl.
Bruce_Mowbray
Posts: 705
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 7:45 pm
Location: Pennsylvania

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Bruce_Mowbray »

jlakes85 wrote:Hi all,

I think I know what needs to be done, but I'm assuming that the glass will need to be cut to length, unless it can be mounted on an angle, for which I don't think I will have the required real estate. The gauge I'm looking at has both a valve and shutoff cock on the bottom to allow for blowing down properly. I would just need to add a valve on top to complete the setup. Any input is greatly appreciated as always

-jlakes85
Usually (without the use of a water column) the top water gauge valve is mounted to the upper area of the outer wrapper sheet with a soft copper tube leading to the top of the water gauge body. That gives the gauge some relief from the forces of unequal expansion and contraction between the top and bottom of the water gauge and the boiler.
Bruce Mowbray
Springville & Southern RR
TMB Manufacturing & Locomotive Works
trivettj
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:01 pm
Location: banner elk north carolina

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by trivettj »

Sorry for interrupting the post but I want to thank Marty for helping me out with my gauge glass questions im young and want to learn more about what I'm doing the safe way .
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by jlakes85 »

The glass I bought seems to be too tall. Should this be shortened or just used as is?
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by jlakes85 »

I've got the water glass mounting location all mapped out. Now I'm trying to figure out how to tie everything in on the topside of the glass, which is tapped 1/8 npt. I believe the largest PM research fittings can accept 1/16 npt, necessitating the use of a reducing bushing. mc masters selection at that size seems to be limited to only high/extreme pressure brass. These fittings are only rated for 1 ksi at 72 F. Since zinc melts at about 780 F I'm just curious why these don't get at least a moderate steam service rating.

-jlakes85
User avatar
Fred_V
Posts: 4370
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:26 pm

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Fred_V »

Make your own fitting 1/8 npt on one end and a copper tube union on the other end. Then run copper to the top of the boiler and install with a 90 deg. flare fitting. i can send you CAD drawings for all sizes of unions you can make. They are very handy when doing plumbing and easy to make.
Fred V
Pensacola, Fl.
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by jlakes85 »

Hi Fred,

Sounds good. I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,

-jlakes85
User avatar
Fred_V
Posts: 4370
Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 3:26 pm

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Fred_V »

send a PM with your email address so i can send the files.
Fred V
Pensacola, Fl.
jlakes85
Posts: 228
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:07 am

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by jlakes85 »

Hi Fred,

PM sent.

-jlakes85
Vance Nickerson
Posts: 115
Joined: Fri Feb 16, 2007 9:01 pm
Location: Normangee Tx

Re: Mounting Water Glass

Post by Vance Nickerson »

Just take the time to mount it correctly and if you can't see where the crown sheet physically is us a water level to locate the exact location. Look at what I am fixing now. They wondered why the new boiler failed. Sight glass BELOW the crown sheet and the try cocks, well the picture tells it all.
Attachments
sight glass-800x450.jpg
Post Reply