Dry'em Out

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Gra2472
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:02 pm
Location: Monte Rio California

Dry'em Out

Post by Gra2472 »

I am wonder how many of you dry out your boilers for storage after running. Compressed air? Nitrogen? Nothing? You're supposed to dry it?

I generally dry mine by pulling the blowdown valves and the safeties while it is still warm/hot to the touch but not too hot. It seems to work pretty well, but I am always looking for good ideas or entertaining suggestions, particularly with the boiler cold after a hydro test for example.

Thanks

G
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
765nkp
Posts: 776
Joined: Sun May 06, 2007 9:24 pm
Location: st louis, mo

Re: Dry'em Out

Post by 765nkp »

I open everything possible, remove the steam dome if possible and put a heat gun in the firebox for a hour or 2. That dries it out.
I have never seen just blowing down completely dry the boiler. I normally blown down from around 60 psi or so. Blowing air through it does help too.
Tim
Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Dry'em Out

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

I drain the boiler when the firebox gets below 150f, measured with an IR gun, then the plugs come out and a safety comes out. Then the boiler spends its time in storage with a 75W reptile heat lamp in the firebox with a rag sealing the door opening. Has worked very well for me so far.
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
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Bill Shields
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Re: Dry'em Out

Post by Bill Shields »

I open blow down valves.. take off safeties and put a 40 w heater in the firebox (steel boiler)

Copper boilers I just ignore
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Gra2472
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:02 pm
Location: Monte Rio California

Re: Dry'em Out

Post by Gra2472 »

Thanks guys.
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
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makinsmoke
Posts: 2260
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:56 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Dry'em Out

Post by makinsmoke »

Reptile heat lamp

Ok. We have to go there...
Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Dry'em Out

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

makinsmoke wrote: Sat May 15, 2021 10:29 pm Reptile heat lamp

Ok. We have to go there...
Hey, it works well! It’s a true 75W bulb and it puts out lots of infrared light. It keeps the outside of the boiler at least 10 degrees above ambient.
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
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