I am assembling an Aster Berkshire, my first introduction to live steam. I have encountered a few irregularities during assembly which leave me puzzled. They are:
1. Drain cock valve mechanism: The Drain Cock Cams do not rotate far enough to fully depress the Valve Levers when the hand crank is pulled fully back. This is because the Cam is just beginning to depress valve levers when Drain Horn hits the Branch Pipe on the Steam Chest. I've tried every configuration of these cams: I can fully depress the Valve Levers with the Cams in the reverse configuration as that shown in the instructions when the Horn is pushed (instead of pulled). However, this doesn't work because the linkage to the hand crank just bows up when pushed. It looks like larger cams are needed to fully depress the Valve Lever, or a slightly different angle to the Cam setting which I can't figure out how to adjust. What am I missing here? Also, it's my understanding that the Drain Cock valves are closed when the valve levers are not depressed (cam not touching levers) - is this correct?
2. After successfully sealing threaded fittings on the boiler, the boiler still loses pressure because the ball valve has a slight leak. It takes about 5-10 minutes to fully depressurize from 4 Kg/cm2. Should this leak be eliminated? I put a small dimple in the brass bar when seating this ball per the instructions. Short of whacking it again, I'm not sure what else to do.
Thanks for any advice you can offer to this newbie.
Rich
1. Drain cock valve mechanism: The Drain Cock Cams do not rotate far enough to fully depress the Valve Levers when the hand crank is pulled fully back. This is because the Cam is just beginning to depress valve levers when Drain Horn hits the Branch Pipe on the Steam Chest. I've tried every configuration of these cams: I can fully depress the Valve Levers with the Cams in the reverse configuration as that shown in the instructions when the Horn is pushed (instead of pulled). However, this doesn't work because the linkage to the hand crank just bows up when pushed. It looks like larger cams are needed to fully depress the Valve Lever, or a slightly different angle to the Cam setting which I can't figure out how to adjust. What am I missing here? Also, it's my understanding that the Drain Cock valves are closed when the valve levers are not depressed (cam not touching levers) - is this correct?
2. After successfully sealing threaded fittings on the boiler, the boiler still loses pressure because the ball valve has a slight leak. It takes about 5-10 minutes to fully depressurize from 4 Kg/cm2. Should this leak be eliminated? I put a small dimple in the brass bar when seating this ball per the instructions. Short of whacking it again, I'm not sure what else to do.
Thanks for any advice you can offer to this newbie.
Rich