ADDING A GOODALL VALVE TO ACCUCRAFT's RUBY



WHAT IS A GOODALL VALVE?

When your engine runs out of water, with the standard filler cap you have let the engine cool off before unscrewing the cap and adding more water. Then you have to heat everything back up again before you can get running. A Goodall Valve has a one-way valve that lets you pump water into the boiler while it still under pressure.

NOTICE:

This is only a description of what I chose to do to my own RUBY engine. It in no way is meant to encourage others to make this or any other modifications to their equipment. This is a minor modification and can easily be undone. Exert EXTREME CARE and remember to MEASURE TWICE / CUT ONCE! Again, this is what I did and how I did it. It worked for me but NO guarantees are expressed nor implied that this is the way any sane person would accomplish this task.

Goodall Valve Materials List*
Part #
Description
? Goodall Valve
? Hand pump

Here are a few pictures and a 'brief' description what I did:

Unscrew the original filler cap. Screw in the new Goodall Valve. While cool, unscrew the cap as usual. To top off the boiler under pressure, stick the tube from the pump into the hole in the valve and give a few squirts. Do not add too much water, or it will cool off what's already in the boiler. Since the Ruby has no slight glass to tell the water level, you will have to develop a sense for when and how much to refill it.

From the 'DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO' Department: There is NO SUBSTITUTE for the RIGHT TOOLS. If you should decide to attempt a similar conversion, I recommend having a Dremel or similar tool with cutting and grinding bits, a drill (Drill Press preferred) with an assortment of small metal bits, small metal files, TUBE BENDERs of the appropriate size, a good hot torch, and all SAFETY EQUIPMENT! Nothing is worth an eye or a hand!


PICTURES OF MY GOODALL VALVE MODIFICATION
Normal Filler Plug Goodall Valve in place
Normal Filler Plug
Goodall Valve in place


*I buy the majority of my supplies from Sulphur Springs Steam Models and supply the part numbers as a convenience. I am in no way related to the company other than as a satisfied customer.