rpwp
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Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48 
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Post by rpwp on Dec 6, 2016 22:31:58 GMT -5
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Post by Johansson on Dec 7, 2016 5:26:37 GMT -5
Great update on the restoration progress!
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Dec 16, 2016 0:41:42 GMT -5
I have been really keen to use original instruments to monitor the viper during engine runs. After a bit of searching on Ebay I've managed to match up a few gauges to the engine mounted sender units.  I've also been lucky enough to track down the original wiring diagrams and test calibration procedures for the Sangamo-Weston oil pressure and temp gauges and senders.  The EGT gauge was NOS still with original shunt fitted and works with the K type Chinese thermocouple that will get mounted in the tailpipe. |
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Dec 16, 2016 0:53:13 GMT -5
The %RPM gauge Isn't quite right but reads near enough for monitoring idle rpm. To establish the gauge compatability we mounted the tacho gen in the mill and via a flexible coupling (garden hose pipe) ran the tacho up to 1800 RPM with a gauge indication of 42% (idle is 40%). The gauge to TG is a simple 3 wire connection and if the gauge runs backwards just swap any 2 cables to have it run properly. The tacho gen does I believe approx. 4200 rpm at 100% power (around 3.17 eng speed) so 50% will be approx 2100...I haven't done the math but 42% indicated @ 1800rpm is in the ball park.   |
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Dec 16, 2016 0:59:10 GMT -5
The throttle quadrant is now mounted to the trolley and so time to fabricate/modify the mechanical linkage rods to throttle and HP fuel cock arms on the BFCU.  The throttle quadrant came off a RN Lynx helicopter...2 arms will be used 1 each for throttle/HP cock and the nice red buttons on the ends used to initiate ignitors and fuel valve. |
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 15, 2017 19:54:08 GMT -5
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 15, 2017 20:07:04 GMT -5
Next job was to create an umbilical "cable from the engine loom to the trolley and wire in all the gauges and valves to their respective sensors and components.
Tarq shown here just completing the last few inches of the 100 ft of cable used to connect the engine to start panel! We decided to monitor EGT, %RPM, Oil pressure and temp plus 3 indictor lights for low oil pressure, low fuel pressure and one for good measure not yet decided! Red missile switch is master power on a 20A circuit breaker, carbon missile switch is for fuel solenoid valve and the ignitor units (both via relays). The Red knob on the end of the right hand lever activates the contactor to switch power from the start battery/APU to the Viper starter...the same lever is also connected to the HP fuel cock on the engines BFCU.
Completed panel installed and checked...connected up to a bench power supply and apart from swapping 2 wires around on a warning switch everything worked perfect...10/10 effort from my satanic mechanic Tarquin:)
Another ex airforce mate who was a sparky during the Viper era came round and double checked our connections were correct and suggested a subtle change to our contactor wiring that we weren't sure on...thanks Bruce!
One of the joys of this restoration has been re-aquainting with guys that I worked alongside 35+ years ago and who are just as excited to see this engine run again as we are.
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 15, 2017 20:28:59 GMT -5
The centre lever on the quadrant is connected to throttle lever on BFCU. This lever has a twist knob on the end that provides a vernier type adjustment of the lever so ideal for small incremental throttle changes.  We fashioned up the throttle and HP fuel cock activation rods from a combination of the original pushrods shortened and fitted one end with SS fork ends from the local hardware store that took minimal modifying to fit. |
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 15, 2017 20:42:11 GMT -5
When we feel like a change there's always our 1917 4HP Lister stationary engine to play with...the Viper parks alongside the Lister and keeps the ole girl company!
This particular Lister shipped to New Zealand in February 1917 and is completely original and in great running condition...not bad for 100 years old next month!!! Not quite a turbine sound but worth a look n listen anyway:) www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw0pOjb7xXA
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 15, 2017 21:00:56 GMT -5
So....back to the Viper:) We procrastinated over how to mount a thermocouple in the tailcone as we knew the material the cone is made from is a special Rolls Royce manufacture and concerned it would be a #*@ch to drill. So using a centre drill in my Bosch power drill along with some scrap we had tried drilling a small hole...well no probs it turns out provided you keep drill speed and pressure constant soft as butter!  A small modification to a cheap K type thermocouple purchased off Ebay and an 8mm dia hole drilled in the tailcone with a step drill gave perfect results...mission accomplished!   |
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Post by racket on Jan 16, 2017 0:14:21 GMT -5
You have had a busy Christmas break ;-)
All looking very nice , won't be long before you'll be wanting to get things spinning around.
Love the sound of those old hit and miss Listers , every shearing shed had one .
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 16, 2017 3:23:16 GMT -5
Hi Racket,
We are getting fairly close and plan to oil and fuel prime later this week followed by a wet cycle less ignitors...
Yeah I don't know what it is about hit n miss engines just find them intriguing to watch and listen too. I've had this Lister around 4 years and got a copy of David Edgington's book from him directly, he was kind enough to look up the serial no in the original factory day books that he held and could tell me it left the factory on the 02 Feb 2017...pretty cool!
Hopefully we will post a video of the Viper in cycle mode later this week all going well.
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 21, 2017 1:28:30 GMT -5
Well...yesterday we got the oil and fuel prime done and last minute check of all fittings including pressure and scavenge oil filter cleans, carried out both a dry and wet cycle (without ignitors)...achieved 12%RPM and 8psi oil pressure on our 24V start battery....no leaks and lookin good for a start! Here's the wet cycle www.youtube.com/watch?v=fECPrxaZJ78&list=UUIT1lAYM5kS0nx9zOKFFAVwPriming the centre and rear oil micro pumps  Disassembled scavenge filter with screen and magnets cleaned.  We have 3 quick release 10mm pins securing the start trolley to main engine frame. This ensures throttle and HP cock pushrods remain in constant position whilst allowing good mobility.  11 months of rebuilding and getting to a running condition...tick!  |
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Post by Johansson on Jan 21, 2017 2:54:32 GMT -5
Great work! Thanks a lot for the detailed posts, they are worth gold to me as a reference for my own pre-run checks.
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rpwp
Member
Joined: March 2016
Posts: 48
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Post by rpwp on Jan 21, 2017 4:03:41 GMT -5
No probs mate glad to share our experiences. I'm compiling a pre-start and start checklist that covers off step by step the correct procedures (adapted from the RR manual) but modified to suit our more hands-on start routine I'll post it in due course.
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