Wood fired, steam generators. These are going to be released by a company I know of, but in limited supply. Release date - June 1. Anyone have any experience with this type generator?

Mr. K

-- Mr. Kennedy (y2kPCfixes@MotivatedSeller.com), March 10, 1999

Answers

Mr K; I have no experience with wood fired generators but I would sure like to know more about their availability. Please share further information as soon as possible.

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 10, 1999.

I'd like to hear more, also....like maybe the name of the company?

We've done some research on steam engines, with wood fired boilers, and it got to seem like a really involved, expensive project...the smallest engine we could find was $1000....and that is not really something one can build, because of all the machining and tolerances and stuff..

There was a lot of safety concerns also. Think HUGE pressure cooker!.

There was one company, The Steam Outlet, that was offering its catalog for $5, You then must pay an additonal $50 for the complete instructions on, for example, how to convert a four cycle (kohler) engine to steam....about then we decided to stay with photovoltaics....which we know about.

Here's the address: The Steam Outlet, P O Box 1426, Thonotassassa, FL 33592 (standard disclaimers.)

Try researching this topic on a web search engine....very interesting.

Got coal?

Mary P.

-- Mary P. (CAgdma@home.com), March 10, 1999.

I have no experience with wood burning steam generators. The Art Bell.com websites had a guest on earlier this year (don't remember the exact date) who was manufacturing and selling these units. He admitted that the efficiency is horrible, something like 5% efficient, they burn 20 pounds of wood every 2 hours, had a fairly small power output like 5 killowatts etc. etc. He was selling all that he could make primarly to rich people fearing a loss of power who apparently had employees to keep the thing going. It sounded like something to be used when all other fuel sources are no longer available. It is not practical for the everyday citizen. The program summaries on the website may help you find it if you are still interested.

-- Steve (sfennel@nettally.com), March 10, 1999.

I have been in private contact with the owner of the company and wish I could give the company name now, but have been under request not to do so due to phone calls/ inquiries prior to release of the product.

I do know the units are of industrial grade, tested, and proven safe. They make similar products being fueled by wood (long established company).

The price I also know now, which is $7,500.00 plus shipping. Considering that I give away over $3,500.00 on the average a year to the electric companies...... I am serious about obtaining several of these for continuous use, with or without y2k. I have acreage, heavily wooded, so I feel fortunate in this area.

I am co-ordinator of our church group and was looking into this alternative type generator for our information. The company in question is the only one I have become aware of so far. We (I and other church members) will be ordering quite a few of them as soon as we get the go-ahead and I will certainly pass along the information when it is officially released from the company. Anyone that wants to get an email from me when the information is released, just send me your email address. And no, I don't work for the company. I'm too busy working on computers.

Mr. K

Post Script - If anyone knows of a reputable company that has this type of product or similar product, please post or send the information directly to me. I'd appreciate it.

-- Mr. Kennedy (y2kPCfixes@MotivatedSeller.com), March 10, 1999.

Hope this helps Brian

Simple Steam

MIKE BROWN'S 1 HORSEPOWER STEAM ENGINE

The Traction Engine Pages Links

Steam Engine Library

The Steam Turbine, Contents

toy steam engines

-- Brian (imager@ampsc.com), March 11, 1999.

I ordered the plans for the woodstove-powered steam generator from The Steam Outlet back a few years ago. Their design consists of 100 feet of half-inch copper tubing wound into a coil, and placed inside the stovepipe. Water goes in one end, and when the stove is good and hot, naturally enough steam will come out the other. The steam was fed to an air injection reactor pump (AIR pump), the kind used on automobile enginnes for many years during the 70's and early 80's for emission purposes. They were ment to handle exhaust gases, and will easily stand up to steam. This pump turns an auto alternator, from which you get your DC for charging batteries. Innovative design, and includes the necessary safety features like overpressure valves, popoffs and such. but if you're hands-on-skills deficient, or habitually careless, I'd suggest you NOT try to build one. Steam is dangerous... most will be better off with solar panels.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 11, 1999.