Re-light an oil burner

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southwestern737
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Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2006 8:45 am
Location: Magnolia, TX

Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by southwestern737 »

The link above to model engine plans, they sell a kit for a buzz coil, works great on my Oil fired Mikado. Works on 6 or 12 volts, I used a champion heater igniter has about a 2" reach so it is closer to the fuel spray. Works great.
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Greg_Lewis
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Greg_Lewis »

southwestern737 wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 8:28 am The link above to model engine plans, they sell a kit for a buzz coil, works great on my Oil fired Mikado. Works on 6 or 12 volts, I used a champion heater igniter has about a 2" reach so it is closer to the fuel spray. Works great.
That looks like the answer. They have some cool stuff that would result in a reliable setup.

But the cheap arc lighters look like they'd be fun to play with. You could take one apart, put the spark gap in the firebox and hide the rest under the tender deck. And you'd only be into it for about ten bucks.
Greg Lewis, Prop.
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Dave_Johnson
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Dave_Johnson »

Tom,
Do you have electric lights for the loco? I use a lawnmower battery that I carry in the boxcar behind the loco.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Bill Shields »

you can stick a coil of nichrome wire inside the firebox.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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NP317
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by NP317 »

Bill Shields wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:08 pm you can stick a coil of nichrome wire inside the firebox.
That sounds like an excellent method to keep a hot ignition source in the flame path.
I will try that too, if needed.
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Harlock
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Harlock »

BBQ lighters will only work with propane, you need a lot more heat and flame to ignite diesel.

I recommend a handheld MAP gas torch to get it going. A propane torch also works.

One bottle will last ages.

-M
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Emfinger
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Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2019 3:30 pm
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Emfinger »

Guys, I built a spark generator that runs on 4 "D" cells and is smaller than a cigar box. The spark is about 60 KV and will arc 3/4". The batteries seem to last forever. Works for me and for $235 it could work for you too.
Tom Emfinger
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makinsmoke
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by makinsmoke »

Mike,
This isn’t coal we are talking about. You can light diesel with a match if the air/fuel ratio is correct.

I’ve used the little hand held lighters with the long noses. I think everyone migrated to the butane and MAP torches because they have a longer reach, saving your arm hair in a late reignite!

Take care,
Brian
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cbrew
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by cbrew »

A model T coil and a spark plug will light properly atomized oil
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
Emfinger
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Location: Yucca Valley, CA

Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Emfinger »

makinsmoke wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2020 10:59 am Mike,
This isn’t coal we are talking about. You can light diesel with a match if the air/fuel ratio is correct.

I’ve used the little hand held lighters with the long noses. I think everyone migrated to the butane and MAP torches because they have a longer reach, saving your arm hair in a late reignite!

Take care,
Brian
have you ever lit a cold burner with a match?
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cbrew
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by cbrew »

Emfinger wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2020 9:38 am have you ever lit a cold burner with a match?
I have, turn on the oil, with the match in the door, and slowly turn the atomize valve.
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
Emfinger
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Re: Re-light an oil burner

Post by Emfinger »

Thanks guys, but nothing is faster or easier than one push of the button on my magic box.
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