Improving gauge glass visibility

[Moonraker]

I have a Roundhouse Taliesin loco which has a water top up valve and a gauge glass. This works fine but for the fact that I find it very hard to see the level of the water in the gauge glass in bright sunlight (we have a lot of that downunder). Can anyone suggest a way of improving water level visibility? I thought of painting the glass background white and putting food dye in the water. Any suggestions?

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

 

[GAP]

On the 1:1 locos I fire in Queensland (lots of sunshine), we put a piece of white cloth behind the sight glasses to aid viewing water level, so painting a white background couldn't hurt.

 

[dunnyrail]

I have a Roundhouse Taliesin loco which has a water top up valve and a gauge glass. This works fine but for the fact that I find it very hard to see the level of the water in the gauge glass in bright sunlight (we have a lot of that downunder). Can anyone suggest a way of improving water level visibility? I thought of painting the glass background white and putting food dye in the water. Any suggestions?

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

This is a regular query in here. As Gap says the white cloth will work but also some felt tip black lines at about 45 degree angle helps as well. This is what can often be seen on the real thing.

 

[Paul M]

Painting the rear of the glass white, and drawing red stripes as above is the usual means of improvement

 

[Rhos Helyg Loco Works]

Putting food dye in the water IS NOT a good idea. It does not evaporate so gets stronger and stronger, eventually clogging the main steam pipe. Usually sugar-based it does not cope well when heated and is nearly impossible to remove.

 

[Paul M]

putting food dye in the water

I missed that bit, until I read Moonrakers advice. I second what he says. DO NOT put anything other than the recommended water in your boiler. Using a flushing liquid is fine but it must be totally flushed our afterwards.

 

[Moonraker]

Thanks for the advice. White paint it is and no food dye.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound