As I anxiously await the delivery of our R21EC that we've ordered from our local Ranger dealer here in NJ, I've been considering intstalling a steam whistle on our 21 as well. After seeing the inside of an actual 21 the available space to hide a 12V air compressor and tank will be the biggest challenge at hand. Not really knowing much about steam whistles at all I did some searching on the internet to see what information and resources are out there to help me out. I am happy to share the links that I found and hope that it will be of some use to others. I apologize if this info is already common knowledge to most. I'm a newbie at whistles and happy to share. I think all ranger tugs should come with a steam whistle from the factory! Ya' think?
If anyone out there does have some experience with powering a steam whistle with a smaller size tank, please post what you've found. I'd be interested to hear what the smallest size tank that could be used. (I know it depends on the size of the steam whistle as well)
Thanks.
Ed
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Some things that I've learned thus far:
1. I've read that those replica steam whistles made out of PVC pipe, though inexpensive, are rather fragile and can burst if you blast too much pressure into them. (someone wrote to me and said that actually happened to them.) Also, I've found that PVC if left outside seems to become fragile from UV effects. I think the extra cost of a brass whistle whether acquired new or on eBay is probably worth it in the long run. (you get what you pay for)
2. Use of steam vs air? Apparently, from what I've read, the difference is in the density between steam and air which changes the pitch of the whistle. (steam has a lower pitch) My understanding is that both will power the whistle.
3. Loudness: I bought an aluminum 5-chime whistle about 3 years ago from a fellow in Ohio (?) JAF Products just before the he went out of business. The air plenum at the base of the whistle is about 2.5 inches wide and the overall height is about 10 inches tall. Would mount nicely on top of a 21. 10 PSI is the max pressure that can be applied to it but it isn't very loud. (I want an air whistle that has... you know what....) So these smaller, cute whistles that you can blow into and get an authentic sound don't seem like they'll be all that loud should you mount them on top of a boat.
4. Air supplies: I've written to one website that sells new steam whistles and have asked what's the minimum sized air tank that COULD be used since space is an issue for me on my 21. I haven't heard back yet from the fellow but my hope is that I can get away with a 1.5 gallon tank connected to a small 12V compressor which would at least allow me to release one or two nice LOUD blasts on the whistle inbetween air pressure recovery time. Not knowing what was available in the way of tanks and compressors, I found this site to be a good starting point for reference on air compressors:
http://www.hornblasters.com/products/ca ... p?class=15
List of websites I found informative:
http://www.whistleman.com (good site to start with)
http://www.hornblasters.com/products/ca ... p?class=15
http://www.hornwhistleboard.com/index.php
http://www.airhornsoftexas.com/compress ... essor.html
http://www.sandiegoairhorns.com/catalog ... 917782.htm
http://www.rizzolilocomotiveworks.com/
http://www.crosby-steam.com/
http://www.steamboats.org/
http://www.hornandwhistle.net/
http://westernlocomotivesupply.com/
http://www.gottrains.com/steamwhistles/faq.html
http://www.airchime.com/steam.asp
http://www.fonema.se/whistle/hotwhiz.html
http://www.railserve.com/jump/jump.cgi?ID=20603
http://rjweisen.50megs.com/fluepipe1_001.htm (info on pipe resonance, pitch, etc.)
http://livesteamcalibration.ieasysite.com/
http://www.kahlenberg.com/airsteam.html
http://www.boothmanandjohnson.com/products.htm
http://www.multipowerinternational.com/ ... istle.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~meijersf/whistles.htm