Lister Engine Forum

Slow Speed Diesel Engines => Other Slow Speed Diesels => Topic started by: 38ac on April 07, 2012, 03:04:10 AM

Title: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: 38ac on April 07, 2012, 03:04:10 AM

Hello all,
We have been tuning on our 1924 Petter semi-diesel or oil engine and thought you all would like to see it runing. This engine is not a compression ignition diesel but what is called surface ignition. Hot bulb in the head must be heated witha blow torch to start it, ignition does not occur when the fuel is injected in the cylinder, that happens  with the added heat of compression. It is also a 2 stroke and rated at 12/14HP. Here running a bit under rated RPM.
[youtube]UN3c-afb0wE[/youtube]

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: rleonard on April 07, 2012, 03:07:26 AM

What a nice machine!  Cannot wait to see it in person again.

Bob

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: BruceM on April 07, 2012, 03:43:52 AM

Great engine. I love hot tube ignition!  There's a new twist on hot tube ignition, invented by Mark Cherry. It uses a platinum catalyst that's heated electrically with a small amount of current for some fuels.

http://smartplugs.com/

Alas, the commercial response hasn't been much.  He's kept it alive via some defense projects.

I built a copy of his early patent design and modified a little 2hp Honda 4 cycle outboard to run on alcohol with it.  It worked quite well, and only required a modest current to start. 

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: 38ac on July 06, 2012, 03:23:12 AM

Here are some pics of the finished product. We added a 12 gallon air tank between the frame rails which acts as an expansion chamber for the exhaust. The originals all came with one but we didnt get it with the engine. Ready for showing, years worth of work off and on.
(http://oi49.tinypic.com/2m440gx.jpg)
(http://oi50.tinypic.com/4k8m15.jpg)
(http://oi50.tinypic.com/2hg91mq.jpg)

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: rleonard on July 06, 2012, 03:39:10 AM

Beautiful work Butch!

Hope to see it in person soon.

Bob

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: rleonard on July 06, 2012, 02:01:59 PM

And now it has a mate!

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: 38ac on July 21, 2012, 11:41:34 PM

Here is a video with the custom expansion chamber and exhaust. I am going to calll it completed.

[youtube]4CMi4Nmq0c4[/youtube]

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: dieselgman on July 22, 2012, 01:54:03 AM

Gotta love it!  Way to go Butch!

dieselgman

Title: Re: Petter semi-diesel
Post by: BruceM on July 22, 2012, 02:21:02 PM

What a beauty.  That's a fabulous restoration, 38ac.