Cirrus Vertical Steam Plant

The "Cirrus" Vertical Steam Plant

The “Cirrus Vertical Steam Plant” is a compact and very powerful steam plant for its size. Intended for use in smaller models such as Open Steam Launches or Commercial type vessels like Tug Boats where space is at a premium, these types of power plants provide the answer. This unit is capable of turning a 2.5” (65mm) propeller and will drive a boat weighing about 9kg. The Monahan Steam Models range of oscillating cylinder steam engines has been specially designed with the “beginner to steam” in mind, as well as the more experienced steam engine operators who appreciate the simplicity and reliability of this type of engine.

 All Monahan Steam Models engines are double acting, reversible and self starting. Proportional speed control and reversing requires only one a single channel on the radio and one servo for the operation of the steam reversing valve. Oscillator type engines once set up correctly have proved to be a very reliable and long-lived engine.

 Just a few advantages of the “Cirrus” engines are, the cylinder blocks are made from bearing bronze to provide an extra long life opposed to the use of brass and the stainless steel crankshaft is supported with precision stainless steel sealed ball bearings opposed to bronze or brass bushings commonly found in most other manufactured engines on the market. Another advantage incorporated into the design is the use of bearing bronze for the big ends of the piston rods that connect to crankshaft. Viton O-rings provide sealing for the pistons and the cylinder covers are removable opposed to being pressed into the cylinder blocks should the O-rings ever need to be replaced.

 The model is comprised of two main parts; our “Hadley Vertical Steam Boiler” and our compact powerful “Cirrus Twin Cylinder” marine steam engine. The boilers are of the centre flue type with multiple cross tubes. Heat is provided by a ceramic gas burner and the recommended gas is a butane/propane mix up to a maximum of 60% butane 40% propane. In warm ambient temperatures, straight butane can be used. The “Hadley” boilers have a water capacity of about ¼ litre and steam can be raised in about 5-6 minutes. Run times on one boiler full of water are between 20 and 35 minutes dependent on pressure, engine speed and size of boat.

 The maximum running pressure of these engines is 45lbs per square inch or 3bar. For optimum performance and duration we have found that the pressure of 25/30psi or 2bar to be the best.

The Cirrus Vertical Steam Plants are completely manufactured and tested in-house. The steam plants are sent out from our factory as a complete ready to run models, only requiring the user to supply either a refillable gas tank or a commercially available disposable gas canister avail at most sporting goods retailers.