Search found 216 matches

by jimlarsen
Mon Oct 17, 2016 10:08 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: 1st post, Never built anything before, have a few questions on Stirling LTD engines
Replies: 15
Views: 10508

Re: 1st post, Never built anything before, have a few questions on Stirling LTD engines

If you get a chance, pick up a copy of Three LTD Engines You Can Build Without a Machine Shop. Those engines are made to run with air, and have fittings to allow running on Helium. The pressure chambers are sealed and they use a magnetic drive, so a helium charge lasts about 2 weeks. Helium increase...
by jimlarsen
Mon Oct 17, 2016 9:59 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Help!!
Replies: 8
Views: 9793

Re: Help!!

What kind of biogas? Will this be methane? What conditions will the motor need to run in? And is this a simple proof of concept, or do you hope to build something that will be used for years to come?

Those are just a few of the questions that come to mind when I think about engine design.
by jimlarsen
Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:06 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: LTD Stirling Engine Plans
Replies: 0
Views: 26197

LTD Stirling Engine Plans

I have been working on some new designs for home built LTD engines, and I finally have them finished! These four engines are all modeled after the traditional pancake style Stirling Engine (no regenerator), can be built without a machine shop, and if built well will run from the heat of a warm hand....
by jimlarsen
Sun Mar 13, 2016 2:48 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: ltd stirling
Replies: 4
Views: 5195

Re: ltd stirling

The key ratio to watch is not just the displacer stroke, but the volume of air displaced by each stroke. Compare that with the volume of the power piston stroke. Changing the length of the power piston stroke is usually an easy way to adjust the design.
by jimlarsen
Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:18 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Peter's Soda Can Stirling Engine
Replies: 2
Views: 3946

Peter's Soda Can Stirling Engine

Peter is 11 years old. He says in the video description that he built this engine with a little help from his father. The book he references in his description is the Quick and Easy Stirling Engine. Peter says, "Peters soda can Stirling Engine. I am 11 years of age and I made this by myself wit...
by jimlarsen
Sat Nov 02, 2013 1:36 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Simple graphite/epoxy piston
Replies: 7
Views: 6966

Re: Simple graphite/epoxy piston

Do you have to use a release agent in the mold, or is the graphite enough to prevent the piston from sticking in the mold?
by jimlarsen
Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:30 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3
Replies: 4
Views: 6733

Re: Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3

The free download of Quick and Easy Stirling Engine is happening today and tomorrow. I have been told that it is only happening on the American and UK versions of Amazon. I have not verified that to be sure. But I have heard from some who were able to reach the American Amazon.com and download the b...
by jimlarsen
Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:29 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: DIY Oil Drum Stirling Engine (a newbi question!)
Replies: 9
Views: 9518

Re: DIY Oil Drum Stirling Engine (a newbi question!)

Have you read the book, "How I Built a 5 HP Stirling Engine"? You can still order a copy here:

http://www.stirlingengine.com/product/h ... ngine-book

I have seen reviews of the book that indicate it isn't really plans, but there is enough in there to figure it out.
by jimlarsen
Mon Oct 28, 2013 9:53 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3
Replies: 4
Views: 6733

Re: Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3

The Kindle Reader App is free and can be downloaded from your App store, or from Amazon. There is also a free version for the Windows PC.
by jimlarsen
Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:15 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3
Replies: 4
Views: 6733

Free Book Downloads November 2 & 3

Save the dates November 2 and 3. The Quick and Easy Stirling Engine will be a free download all weekend in the Kindle Store on Amazon sites around the world. The free promotion is based on Pacific Standard time and starts at 12:01 AM on Saturday November 2 and runs through midnight Sunday November 3...
by jimlarsen
Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:59 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: LTD weight ratio?
Replies: 1
Views: 2922

Re: LTD weight ratio?

1:8 should be very good. I have made LTD engines with a 1" drive diaphragm with a displacer as small as 4". The weight of the displacer will contribute to friction and balance. If you can make the displacer very light, you will not need to add a counterbalance. If it is heavier, it will re...
by jimlarsen
Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:49 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Dean Kamen’s Stirling Generator
Replies: 2
Views: 5495

Re: Dean Kamen’s Stirling Generator

http://www.dekaresearch.com/stirling.shtml

Here is what is said about the generator at DEKA Research, Dean Kamen's company. It sounds like it is not in production yet. They don't say much about it.
by jimlarsen
Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:19 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Dean Kamen’s Stirling Generator
Replies: 2
Views: 5495

Dean Kamen’s Stirling Generator

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive has to do with building a Stirling engine generator. This appears to be some of the best news about Stirling Engine Generators that we have seen in a long time. Dean Kamen has developed a $3,700 generator that can make about 1 Kw. http://www.redfe...
by jimlarsen
Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:14 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Dean Kamen’s Stirling engine car
Replies: 2
Views: 5287

Dean Kamen’s Stirling engine car

This is one of several interesting articles about Dean Kamen's Stirling engine car.

http://hackaday.com/2008/11/09/dean-kam ... ngine-car/
by jimlarsen
Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:34 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Quick and Easy Stirling Engine on Kindle
Replies: 1
Views: 3389

Quick and Easy Stirling Engine on Kindle

Greetings Everyone! I have received several requests to make the Quick and Easy Stirling Engine book available on Kindle. It is now available for download. I have placed the book in the Amazon Prime program. If you are a member of Amazon Prime you can download the book for free. You can find out mor...