One could probably estimate the external heater temperature to within 100 deg.C by observing the color of the incandescent light. Here's a table I found: ...
MP, It is interesting to note that aluminum does not change color to the human eye as it is heated. Similarly, it would depend upon the material for the hot...
MP, It is interesting to note that aluminum does not change color to the human eye as it is heated. Similarly, it would depend upon the material for the hot...
The heaters are SS, and a few messages back it was reported that they glow red. All materials exhibit incandscance. Al melts before it gets red hot. MP...
Mike, Stainless does go through the colors, but the scale is different. I don't have a thermocouple probe handy but I think we can make a good estimation from...
... My engine heater is almost exactly like the photo that Rick published some time ago, and my experience is like Rick's. My tubes glow a bright red at the...
Aluminum melts at about 660C/1220F. Iron is showing Red Heat in dark at 400C and glows brightly in sunlight at 531C. Both of these temps are well below the...
Rick and Arch, Yes, I suppose the color temperature would vary somewhat with the emission spectrum of the material. It's technically called "gray body"...
Lee, Okay, I stand corrected, I shouldn't have compared Aluminum with SS. Aluminum is a funky metal that has low absorption, an unusually low emissivity, and a...
Frank, list, I am not at all disappointed in the basic operation of the cat heater, but I agree that coverage could be better if your tubes are long. The...
... My engine is the 2nd one I have built, and is in the early stages of testing Configuration: Gamma with Ross linkage, un-pressurized. Power piston...
I really would like some hard data from thermocouples if at all possible. Observation of color is a subjective SWAG. Thermocouples are cheap and actually can...
... You're right it is a 'sophisticated wild-ass guess'. Using thermocouples _sounds_ dirt simple, but it helps to know what you're doing because there are a...
MP There are lots of ways to screw up in life. J TG ... From: mphillipps2 To: sesusa@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 3:26 PM Subject: [sesusa]...
Here is a helpful reference for using thermocouples. www.omega.com/temperature/Z/pdf/z021-032.pdf [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]...
MP, No, but I am saying that I might use it for an MTD engine. Depends upon the melting point, etc. Copper would probably be better, however. Archibald . ... ...
Making thermocouples is very easy - just twist the two bare wires together. Weld them at the tip if you want. Measuring temperature with them is not so easy...
List, I have a multimeter that came with a supplied thermocouple. Problem is, the cable is only rated for 400 F. I can order a "probe" type that has a 316...
Frank, You are correct about your engine being very similar in construction to what I have been working on. My engine is a beta, and I am using Teflon piston...
... Thanks for your suggestions, and I am defintely not offended. After all, this is what is all about!! I have read Andy Ross carefully, and you are...
May I suggest another way to measure the temps? When making/using thermocouples at home without the calibration equiptment needed; one may get fair results by...
Merrick Lockwood's book "How I Built A 5-HP Stirling Engine" has now arrived in UK (through Camden of course) and at first glance it looks like a great...
Hi Nick, There was almost nothing in the book that details the early design work by Sunpower to determine the engines working parameters. It did meet it's...
'tis my nature Tom, though I'm really in no position to criticise being pretty much an 'armchair' enthusiast myself ;-) The book is well worth a read though....
Yes, there is not really much excuse for basic mechanical failures like the bell crank cracking after a short demo run! But what I'm trying to get at - and I'm...
Nick You correctly observe that essentially all successful technologies go through a series of developmental phases. First work is usually characterized by...
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