1922 Harrisburg Steam Engine Generator
 

Went out to Rough and Tumble today to make sure my Olds hit & miss engine was ready for the last show of the year plus to get some work done on the Harrisburg steam engine generator.

The steam engine will be returned to running condition in time for it's 100th birthday. The last time it ran was October of 1982.

I used my Allpax gasket cutter to cut some round gaskets that were 14-3/8" in diameter. Parts were wirewheeled, threads cleaned for reassembly and parts oiled to be put back on. Still a ways to go but we're making headway :yesnod:

The pictures with the connecting rod, the cap is two piece and uses babbitt bearings. As it wears, the wedge is tightened to take up the excessive play.

More pics

Very nice looking engine!

Simple and clever bearing assembly on that connecting rod.
How is proper clearance gauged? Rolling resistance, gap gauge?
Scott

Very much like my buddy's old flower mill, with the machinery and the generator that ran off it......NEAT old shit, you guys lucky to have the chance to play with it.....:seasix::hurray:

Nah, back in them daze they just snugged it down till it squeeked.....:lol:

It's literally done by feel. To over simplify, if it "clunks", you tighten the wedge. If you tighten it too much, it won't turn easily.

Oh, you mean somewhere between a squeek and a clunk?? sounds about right.....:lol:

:lol: Sounds about right
Scott

I love this stuff! Thanks for posting it!

BTW, where are you in the pics?

behind the camera :D

:leaving:

Very cool! Will it be producing electricity when done?

That's pretty cool; thanks for the pics. :seasix:

That's a big old generator; do you know what voltage, watts, etc., it puts out? For a while when I was kid we lived not far from the Crocker-Wheeler site in the appropriately-named Ampere section of East Orange NJ.

If so, they should set it up to charge a Tesla.:yesnod:

I will have to find out more info.


The guy who is in charge of the gas engines ( and is also helping out with the Harrisburg) has this :cool1:

I emailed one of the guys helping out and he just sent this info. :cool1:
( I'm not sure if this is the info for the exact unit we have at R&T but if not, it's close enough )

That's pretty awesome! :yesnod: Very heavy! :yesnod:

Last show for this year is NEXT saturday, Oct 12th

Road trip Bill?