Propane burner igniters
Propane burner igniters
I have converted my Shay to propane and I am using a Model T buzz coil for the igniter. Just wondering if anyone has found other spark generators they can recommend? The buzz coil works fine I just am not in love with the electric connections and contacts out in the open.
John B
John B
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Re: Propane burner igniters
Electric BBQ battery push starters.
Re: Propane burner igniters
not trying to be sarcastic, but what's wrong with a lighter stuck into the firedoor?
Re: Propane burner igniters
Berkman, the firebox is very deep and by the time enough gas reaches the fire door there is a pretty scary relight. The last 8 years that is how I lit the oil burner off. I guess in my old age just pushing a button seams like a better solution.
John B.
John B.
- Bill Shields
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Re: Propane burner igniters
there are electronic versions of the T buzz coil....
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Re: Propane burner igniters
I installed one of these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-DC-3v-6v- ... SwrtFbYBP5
on the propane-fired water heater at our camp up north. It's been working well for several years now.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-DC-3v-6v- ... SwrtFbYBP5
on the propane-fired water heater at our camp up north. It's been working well for several years now.
Re: Propane burner igniters
When I was a kid back in the early 1980's, my father and I volunteered at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad in Los Gatos Ca. To be honest, he volunteered as a mechanic and engineer. I just kept checking that everything was greasy, and made sure to collect samples on my clothes. Being that the #2 is an oil burner, watching, and later learning how to light off the locomotive was always entertaining. The 2-spot had a long steel torch kept in one end of the tender, in a tube of fuel. It was simple and worked great. Light it, place it in front of the burner, start the blower and atomizer, and bring the fuel on slowly. Generally it made for a very safe, and controlled method. However, my father did get a really quick haircut and beard trim once when they were burning some really bad oil. I think it was the only time in my life when I ever saw him without whiskers.
My mogul is propane fired and I have experienced the excitement of lighting off with a firebox full of gas. It once made my wife question the sanity of this hobby. To combat this, I took a page out of history. I made a long torch made from a piece of steel rod, cotton, and bailing wire. I keep it in on the fireman's side of the cab in a tube with an ounce or two diesel in the bottom. It works great. I can lite the torch, place it in the firebox, and slowly bring the gas on. I've even been successful relighting on the move when I cut my fire back to much once. I understand the convenience of an igniter system, but I like the torch. It's very simple, reliable, and controllable. No electricity needed. Just a match or lighter. I can even steal some fire from another locomotive if absolutely necessary.
My mogul is propane fired and I have experienced the excitement of lighting off with a firebox full of gas. It once made my wife question the sanity of this hobby. To combat this, I took a page out of history. I made a long torch made from a piece of steel rod, cotton, and bailing wire. I keep it in on the fireman's side of the cab in a tube with an ounce or two diesel in the bottom. It works great. I can lite the torch, place it in the firebox, and slowly bring the gas on. I've even been successful relighting on the move when I cut my fire back to much once. I understand the convenience of an igniter system, but I like the torch. It's very simple, reliable, and controllable. No electricity needed. Just a match or lighter. I can even steal some fire from another locomotive if absolutely necessary.
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
Re: Propane burner igniters
I just use one of those standard butane gas lighters with the long tip. Don't shun those that want to use a wick/wand or electronic only that I can count the times over the last 5 years where I had a suck out and had to re-light on the road. Just lucky I guess. I am interested in the electronic snap though.
$.02
Ken-
$.02
Ken-
Re: Propane burner igniters
I do not own nor have I operated a propane fired loco (however, one is in the works). In my exploring around I found two propane fired locos that have a dedicated, small, single burner which serves as a pilot. Both are close to the firebox door and has it's own fuel supply controlled by an independant "Pilot Valve". The pilot is of course lit first and stays lit all day long... even when shut down for lunch, it safely keeps the boiler and it's contents very warm. Both use Marty Burners. And both fellows use the tried and true barbeque lighter. But having a dedicated pilot with an electronic igniter would afford putting the Pilot just about anywhere. Perhaps exploring this path will help.
Scotty
Scotty
Re: Propane burner igniters
I'm with Kenring: Butane BBQ long lighter.
I also built a pilot light into my new propane-fired Mikado, which works wonderfully. No fire loss on the rails.
I plan on adding a pilot light to my 16-year-old Allen Ten Wheeler.
I am experimenting with a rechargeable electric arc lighter:
https://smile.amazon.com/Lighter-Flexib ... 96&sr=8-26
It should work great with propane, and possibly with the oil burner in my steam launch. Will learn more after the weather warms up and I can test the boat.
RussN
I also built a pilot light into my new propane-fired Mikado, which works wonderfully. No fire loss on the rails.
I plan on adding a pilot light to my 16-year-old Allen Ten Wheeler.
I am experimenting with a rechargeable electric arc lighter:
https://smile.amazon.com/Lighter-Flexib ... 96&sr=8-26
It should work great with propane, and possibly with the oil burner in my steam launch. Will learn more after the weather warms up and I can test the boat.
RussN
- Dave_Johnson
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Re: Propane burner igniters
I use a piezo lighter from Lowe's. Button mounted on the back wall of the cab and the igniter mounted in the view hole of the fire door. Light off with slight draft, Crank on the gas and hit the button. If not enough gas it won't light. Timing is everything since you only get one spark at a time.
Here is one similar to what I use that I found online.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10234
DJ
Here is one similar to what I use that I found online.
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10234
DJ