New Dora Owner needs help!

[maxi-model]

I lied Jon . Most, if not all Accucraft locos use a #5 jet. Or so I was told by the nice man who does remedial work on my locos when he has routinely replaced the factory fitted jets with a better make - i.e. with more consistently sized and more reliably broached holes.

In reply to you Phil Vincent in your last post - While you will always be welcome to ask for advise here may I suggest you lean on this lot a bit - https://argyleloco.com.au/. Why ? They are Australia's main agents for Accucraft products marketed mostly outside Aus, and other makes too. They are also manufacturers/distributors in their own right under that branding of their own products. While you may not have aquired your Dora via this outlet I dare say they will view you as a "prospect/suspect" for future sales and will get their attention, as any decent retail organization should do.

Unlike a certain UK retailer I could mention - I remember when I made the decision to buy my first live steamer, a Roundhouse Lady Anne, some 15 odd years ago. When asked for advise on how to operate this very expensive new toy they just palmed me off with a cheery," oh you'll get the hang of it don't worry". Hmm, 6 months later I had still not steamed it out of fear of causing it damage through my ignorance. An acquaintance at a local club line took pity on me and showed me the ropes. I never bought another live steam loco from that first retailer, howver, there have been a few more added to the roster since over the years.

 

[Paul M]

When asked for advise on how to operate this very expensive new toy they just palmed me off with a cheery," oh you'll get the hang of it don't worry".

No mention of eyebrow loss then? Just the sort of useful advice a novice needs. At least on here, we may not fully agree with each other's methods, but at least we do our best to actually help!

 

[Paul M]

May be a bit late really, but doing a tidying session I found the original instructions for my Dora.it does mention what to do if the fire keeps going out or is the wrong colour. Sorry its late, but I forgot I had the leaflet

 

[Phil_Vincent]

Yes Paul I have the manual too. I did initially think that I had perhaps knocked the cover over the air holes in the cab, so tried that first. Eventually resulting in taking the whole fuel assembly apart and learning that it was the jet, which is now unblocked.

Maxi Model I have attempted to make contact with Argyle, but they are moving house and shop at the moment so they are a bit busy, hence reaching out to this forum.

Happy to have started an argument though.

 

[maxi-model]

Interesting the mention of those "collars" on the orifice to the burner, easy to forget about. They have only become commonplace as a fitment in fairly recent times. My earlier locos lacked them. They seem to act a bit like a choke on a carburetor - close them up and they cause the gas/air mixture become richer. Just like a choke does on cold days for starting an IC engine. Again, that very nice man who serviced my locos one day gave me a handful of the things and told me to go fit them to all my locos. He was convinced. They do work, especially if you run in a fairly variable climate, temperature wise. But it is another thing to learn to get the hang of. Max

P.S. Re starting arguments - easily done here. Sometimes I cannot help myself

 

[Paul M]

I've never needed to adjust any of mine. I'm always too worried about making things worse

 

[Fred2179G]

Re water baths,,

thought that was to warm the gas tank up so as to ensure a decent gas flow to the burner

Like most things, it all depends. in a cold or hot climate the water bath can keep the gas at a constant temperature.

However, some small Accucraft locos have the gas tank in the cab near the boiler, as does Dora. The boiler can heat up the gas in the tank and eventually, when it is almost empty, the internal pressure will prevent you from refilling until it cools down, which may take an hour or more.

 

[Paul M]

However, some small Accucraft locos have the gas tank in the cab near the boiler, as does Dora. The boiler can heat up the gas in the tank and eventually, when it is almost empty, the internal pressure will prevent you from refilling until it cools down, which may take an hour or more

That's interesting, I have 3 Accucraft locos, all have their gas tanks in the cab beside the boiler, but I've never had this problem. Mind you I've always run the gas right out whilst using and obviously wait until engine has cooled before re- gasing. Worth remembering though

 

[Fred2179G]

but I've never had this problem

You are also in a cooler climate, though I had this on a FWRR Ruby in sub-zero winter temps.

 

[dunnyrail]

That's interesting, I have 3 Accucraft locos, all have their gas tanks in the cab beside the boiler, but I've never had this problem. Mind you I've always run the gas right out whilst using and obviously wait until engine has cooled before re- gasing. Worth remembering though

It is not unknown at garden events to see guys or even gals pouring cold water over the gas tank.

 

[Rob1962]

Yes old thread that I just dug up here,I recently purchased a Dora Runs great but notice on the first run the flame was up front and way back where it should be,It was so hot when I opened the Firebox door the fastening clip was orange/Yikes.In the past on other models it was a dirty Jet so I immediately removed the Cab disconnect at the Gas tank Blew out the jet dropped it in alcohol bath blew and dried it out placed PTFE at both ends and same exact issue,I heard about replacing the #5 Jet for a # 3 if I have one I di stock jets but mostly #5 #8 #10,I will of coarse post my progress.

Full Steam Ahead..

 

[Paul M]

Yes old thread that I just dug up here,I recently purchased a Dora Runs great but notice on the first run the flame was up front and way back where it should be,It was so hot when I opened the Firebox door the fastening clip was orange/Yikes.In the past on other models it was a dirty Jet so I immediately removed the Cab disconnect at the Gas tank Blew out the jet dropped it in alcohol bath blew and dried it out placed PTFE at both ends and same exact issue,I heard about replacing the #5 Jet for a # 3 if I have one I di stock jets but mostly #5 #8 #10,I will of coarse post my progress.

Full Steam Ahead..

Hopefully without teaching your Grandmother to suck eggs.
Are you lighting the gas through the chimney or the smokebox door? It's seems you may have the gas turned up too high, or overfilled the gas tank. Have you tried blowing the flame back down the tube, that is quite a common trick. I've one of these locos, and in common with my other Accucraft engines, lighting up can be "interesting"! Obviously leaving the flame burning in the smokebox will cause no end of damage

 

[Rob1962]

Hopefully without teaching your Grandmother to suck eggs.
Are you lighting the gas through the chimney or the smokebox door? It's seems you may have the gas turned up too high, or overfilled the gas tank. Have you tried blowing the flame back down the tube, that is quite a common trick. I've one of these locos, and in common with my other Accucraft engines, lighting up can be "interesting"! Obviously leaving the flame burning in the smokebox will cause no end of damage

Yes tried all you mentioned but no matter it still keeps happening i even removed the Burner,Tommorow i will see if i have the #3 Jet and try that.I will let the forum know what happens.

 

[Paul M]

Like I said, they can be little b*ggers to light, and keep alight at times! Some one on this forum has fitted a mesh around the jet, that may help

 

[Rob1962]

Like I said, they can be little b*ggers to light, and keep alight at times! Some one on this forum has fitted a mesh around the jet, that may help

Mesh around the Jet? Or did you mean to say burner,Also I will try to make a better seal where the burner meets the boiler it could be sucking in air.

 

[Paul M]

Sorry, burner

 

[dunnyrail]

Sometimes if the burner is in a different position at the burner end it can effect the Air input thus leading to the burner jet not giving the correct flame, either too much flame thus flames in the smokebox or too little. Either way the flame does not ‘pop’ back and burn correctly.

 

[Fred2179G]

I will try to make a better seal where the burner meets the boiler

The burner needs air to mix with the gas, which is why there is a hole in the burner above the jet. Some locos have a collar for adjusting the air - I don't recall if Dora has one. Point is you don't need a good seal. Air is supposed to get in.

Turning the gas down when you have lit the burner will often cause the flame to 'pop' back into the boiler.

 

[Rob1962]

Sorry, burner

Paul do you have a #3 or #5 on your Dora?

 

[Rob1962]

In my case, the burner just barely lit, not enough to create any kind of steam at all today I will try the number three and see what happens. I read somewhere that people have swapped it. I just don’t know anybody stepping up to the plate that has done this with success, other than one person. I’d like to do a post to all Dora owners to see what they’ve done that works.