Yes, contact Aristo for replacement gauge. Go to the Aristo forum for the valve, I have heard it's easy to "rebuild" the goodall valve, they probably do not have spares since it's been eliminated on the latest run.
Regards, Greg
Regards, Greg
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Here's some firing instructions I wrote up and posted on the Aristo site, might look them over. I had to get a new gauge also, just call Aristo and talk to Navin, you'll have a new one soon. Jerry
I was asked about firing the Mikado, wrote down these steps, feel free to add comments. I don't do the water bath thing, since I have a steam line running to it, otherwise pretty much follow this:
#1. Charge the tender batteries for 3 hours.(light never does change, so ignore it) Leave the coal load off(you need to get to the switches).
#2. Put the loco on the track and plug the tender to the loco, hook up the gas line also(finger tight) Fill the gas tank(I use 70/30 butane/propane mix.)
#3. Add warm water to the water bath.
#4. Check to make sure the remote(have switch slid to remote) is moving the throttle, then move it to slow to close it. Slide the switch to 'ignition'.
#5. Make sure to have 4-6ml of steam oil in the reservoir. Push the loco forward slowly as you squirt in the oil(Use a vet type syringe). You could do this first. I always do it after a run, so it's ready the next time.
#6. Microwave 450ml of distilled water.( I use a plastic cup with markings that has a pour spout)
#7. Pour it into the boiler. Use a funnel. Tighten the plug with the big wrench.. Be careful with the white washer, it's easy to lose it down between the boiler shell/boiler.
#8. Drain the water from the water bath and refill it with warm water.(keep some ready for later.)
#9. Make sure your switch is slid to 'ignition' , open the gas valve and press the button. You should hear it light up. Slide the switch back to 'operation'.
#10. Look down inside the stack to make sure you have no flames in there. Adjust the gas valve for smooth sound.(usually turn it down some).
#11. Oil your linkage while it is getting up to pressure. 3 in 1 type oil. Marvel Mystery, etc. I like one with a pull out long spout.
#12. If you did not change the safety, it will pop at about 30 lbs. (At this point, some fill the gas tank again-but there is a danger of running out of water before you run out of gas)
#13, . Now, if you slid the switch to 'operation', the remote should move the throttle as you press fast. Just hit it a few times and wait.......Then give it a little push and wait.....it should start going, or hit the throttle again. It will shoot water/steam out of the stack, so don't hang your head over it.
#14, Once it gets going, adjust your speed, turn on the lights, press the awful sound buttons-but then NEVER again!
Note the time you started running.
#15. Watch your pressure gauge, if it starts to drop, or the train slows, pull to a stop and drain the water bath and put in new warm water. Pressure should come back up quickly and off you go again. Repeat as needed.
#16. After 20-30 minutes, stop and check the water glass, should still have a bit in the bottom, but keep an eye on it-it's not real accurate. When you get down to about an 1/8" or less, I'd shut down the gas and let it cool.
#17. Open the boiler and use a big syringe, with tubing on the end, to suck out the water-to check and see if you had much left. Note how much you had and recall where the water glass level was, should aid you in later runs.
#18. While it is cooling down, open the steam oil tank and suck out the oil/water and refill. Oil the linkage. Drain the water bath, fill the fuel tank. See #1 above!
__________________
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cumming, Ga
Posts: 7,350
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Jerry I have found it only takes 2 hrs to get a good charge. I never drain the water tank except at the end of the day as I note where the water is in the sight glass so it gets filled to the same level every time. Also I only change the oil every 3rd run as recommend by AC. Seams to do fine. One caution is when checking flame at first startup keep head and eyes clear and wear safety glasses. Other than that good tips Jerry. Later RJD
I was asked about firing the Mikado, wrote down these steps, feel free to add comments. I don't do the water bath thing, since I have a steam line running to it, otherwise pretty much follow this:
#1. Charge the tender batteries for 3 hours.(light never does change, so ignore it) Leave the coal load off(you need to get to the switches).
#2. Put the loco on the track and plug the tender to the loco, hook up the gas line also(finger tight) Fill the gas tank(I use 70/30 butane/propane mix.)
#3. Add warm water to the water bath.
#4. Check to make sure the remote(have switch slid to remote) is moving the throttle, then move it to slow to close it. Slide the switch to 'ignition'.
#5. Make sure to have 4-6ml of steam oil in the reservoir. Push the loco forward slowly as you squirt in the oil(Use a vet type syringe). You could do this first. I always do it after a run, so it's ready the next time.
#6. Microwave 450ml of distilled water.( I use a plastic cup with markings that has a pour spout)
#7. Pour it into the boiler. Use a funnel. Tighten the plug with the big wrench.. Be careful with the white washer, it's easy to lose it down between the boiler shell/boiler.
#8. Drain the water from the water bath and refill it with warm water.(keep some ready for later.)
#9. Make sure your switch is slid to 'ignition' , open the gas valve and press the button. You should hear it light up. Slide the switch back to 'operation'.
#10. Look down inside the stack to make sure you have no flames in there. Adjust the gas valve for smooth sound.(usually turn it down some).
#11. Oil your linkage while it is getting up to pressure. 3 in 1 type oil. Marvel Mystery, etc. I like one with a pull out long spout.
#12. If you did not change the safety, it will pop at about 30 lbs. (At this point, some fill the gas tank again-but there is a danger of running out of water before you run out of gas)
#13, . Now, if you slid the switch to 'operation', the remote should move the throttle as you press fast. Just hit it a few times and wait.......Then give it a little push and wait.....it should start going, or hit the throttle again. It will shoot water/steam out of the stack, so don't hang your head over it.
#14, Once it gets going, adjust your speed, turn on the lights, press the awful sound buttons-but then NEVER again!
Note the time you started running.
#15. Watch your pressure gauge, if it starts to drop, or the train slows, pull to a stop and drain the water bath and put in new warm water. Pressure should come back up quickly and off you go again. Repeat as needed.
#16. After 20-30 minutes, stop and check the water glass, should still have a bit in the bottom, but keep an eye on it-it's not real accurate. When you get down to about an 1/8" or less, I'd shut down the gas and let it cool.
#17. Open the boiler and use a big syringe, with tubing on the end, to suck out the water-to check and see if you had much left. Note how much you had and recall where the water glass level was, should aid you in later runs.
#18. While it is cooling down, open the steam oil tank and suck out the oil/water and refill. Oil the linkage. Drain the water bath, fill the fuel tank. See #1 above!
__________________
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cumming, Ga
Posts: 7,350
Default
Jerry I have found it only takes 2 hrs to get a good charge. I never drain the water tank except at the end of the day as I note where the water is in the sight glass so it gets filled to the same level every time. Also I only change the oil every 3rd run as recommend by AC. Seams to do fine. One caution is when checking flame at first startup keep head and eyes clear and wear safety glasses. Other than that good tips Jerry. Later RJD
Jerry and Friends,
Thanks for the comments. Contacted Navin and he is sending a replacement guage and a spare plug for the goodall valve. He indicated that the plastic tubing should be placed over the valve center inside hole for proper operation. I tried it and works great.
Jerry- Why the butane/propane mix? Better performance or cost???
Since I live in a hot climate and did not use the warm bath water for the fuel. It appears to work OK
Regards, Mike-RRKRZY in Phoenix, AZ /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/w00t.gif
Thanks for the comments. Contacted Navin and he is sending a replacement guage and a spare plug for the goodall valve. He indicated that the plastic tubing should be placed over the valve center inside hole for proper operation. I tried it and works great.
Jerry- Why the butane/propane mix? Better performance or cost???
Since I live in a hot climate and did not use the warm bath water for the fuel. It appears to work OK
Regards, Mike-RRKRZY in Phoenix, AZ /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/w00t.gif
Jerry,
Thanks again for your comments. A great source for butane is King Butane. Use google to search. They sell a special 6 oz canisters package for $23 plus shipping. I believe there are 12 canisters in the pack. A point of clarification on the steam oil amount and when to change. You indicated about 4-6 ml of oil and check after each run. Aristo says 8 ml and it is good for 4-6 runs. I checked after three runs and found the oil was a white milky looking fluid. So is your recommednation to change after each run??? Also since I live in a very hot climate during nine months of the year, do you still recommend the warm bath water for the tender?
Regards, /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/w00t.gif
Thanks again for your comments. A great source for butane is King Butane. Use google to search. They sell a special 6 oz canisters package for $23 plus shipping. I believe there are 12 canisters in the pack. A point of clarification on the steam oil amount and when to change. You indicated about 4-6 ml of oil and check after each run. Aristo says 8 ml and it is good for 4-6 runs. I checked after three runs and found the oil was a white milky looking fluid. So is your recommednation to change after each run??? Also since I live in a very hot climate during nine months of the year, do you still recommend the warm bath water for the tender?
Regards, /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/w00t.gif
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
