Jessie Taylor
Steam engines have been used as a major power source for the past three centuries, with steam turbines now producing 80% or more of the world's electrical energy. While miniature steam engines can cost hundreds of dollars, they are simple machines and can be built at home using common materials. One can build a candle-powered steam engine using a tea light candle, an empty soda can, pliers, and copper tubing. The engine works by using heat from the candle to evaporate water, creating steam to form jets that propel the engine.
Characteristics and Values of a Candle-Powered Steam Engine
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power Source | Tea light candle |
| Height | 7.2 cm (2.8 inches) |
| Cylinder | Brass tubing |
| Cylinder Size | 13/32" |
| Piston | Brass tubing |
| Piston Size | 7/16" x 0.014" |
| Crankshaft Wire | 45mm long piece of ~18 AWG wire |
| Washers | Heavy washers with a diameter less than that of the tea light |
| Glue | 5-minute epoxy glue |
| Flywheel | Made from a tea light candle, wood, wire, and metal washers |
| Tubing | 8-inch piece of copper tubing |
| Container | Soda can or paint can |
| Water Source | Bowl of water |
| Runtime | ~30 minutes |
| Cost | $10 USD |
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What You'll Learn
Sourcing materials and tools
To build a candle-powered steam engine, you will need a variety of materials and tools, some of which you may already have at home. Here is a detailed list of what you will need:
- A candle, preferably a tea light candle or a beeswax tea light candle.
- A heat source, such as a hot plate, to melt the wax and create steam.
- A cylinder, such as a plastic soda bottle, bleach bottle, or paint can, to contain the steam and water.
- Tubing, preferably copper or brass, with a length of at least 8 inches, to direct the steam and water flow.
- A bowl or container to catch the water and steam jets.
- A crankshaft wire, approximately 45mm in length, made of 18 AWG wire. This can be sourced from the wire in lawn sprinkler flags or purchased from hardware stores like Home Depot.
- Metal washers to add weight and balance to the flywheel.
- Epoxy glue or a strong adhesive to secure the components in place.
- Tools for cutting and shaping the materials, such as tin snips, shop scissors, or a tubing cutter.
- Pliers or similar tools to fold and crimp the edges of the cylinder for safety.
- A syringe or similar tool to fill the water into the tank accurately.
- Optional items include a retractable pen, anti-scalding pad, thermometer, and additional candles for melting wax.
When sourcing materials, it is important to prioritize safety and compatibility with the steam engine's design. Always follow instructions and take necessary precautions when working with heat, sharp tools, and adhesives.
In addition to the materials and tools listed above, you may also want to purchase a pre-made candle-powered steam engine kit, such as the Wilesco D2 Tea Candle Steam Engine, which includes the necessary components and offers a smooth and powerful performance.
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Cutting the crankshaft wire
To build a candle-powered steam engine, the first step is to cut the crankshaft wire. This wire should be around 45mm long and made from 18 AWG wire. A good source for this wire is the red flags used to mark sprinkler systems in lawns. This wire is ideal because it fits perfectly inside the plastic tube of a Q-Tip.
Once you have the wire, you will need to create the flywheel. Pop the wax out of a tea light candle and insert the wire through a few pieces of wood to keep it from pulling out. Glue these pieces to the crankshaft and add some metal washers to increase the weight. Place the wax candle back in its original container and pour melted wax over the crankshaft to hold it in place.
Next, you will need to cut a rectangular hole near the base of a gallon paint can. Mark a rectangle of 6 inches by 2 inches (15.2 cm by 5.1 cm) horizontally on the side of the can, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) up from the base. It is important to ensure that the paint can only contained latex-based paint and that it has been thoroughly cleaned before use.
After cutting the hole, create a platform by cutting a piece of metal mesh. Take a piece of metal mesh measuring 4 2/3 inches by 9 1/3 inches (12 cm by 24 cm) and bend 2 1/3 inches (5.9 cm) at each end of the shorter side to form a square platform with legs. This platform will support the tea light candle and crankshaft assembly.
Finally, place the candle and crankshaft assembly on the platform inside the paint can. The candle's heat will cause the piston to push up as pressure builds in the boiler, turning the crankshaft and generating power for your steam engine.
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Making the flywheel
To make the flywheel, start by cutting the crankshaft wire. Use a 45mm long piece of 18 AWG wire. You can use the wire from the little red flags used to mark sprinkler systems in lawns. This size of wire fits perfectly inside the plastic tube that Q-tips are made of.
Next, pop the wax out of a tea light candle, insert the crankshaft wire through a few pieces of wood, and glue them to the crankshaft. Then, add some metal washers to increase the weight. Put everything back into the tea light and pour melted wax into the tea light to hold everything in place. You can melt the wax by putting it in a tin can with a spout to make it easier to pour.
Once the flywheel is assembled, turn on the air and give the flywheel a quick flick. The motor should start. If it doesn't, try flicking it in the other direction. If you line it up just right, the motor will start without any flicking. You can reverse the direction of the engine's rotation by switching the hole the air goes into.
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Assembling the engine
To assemble a candle-powered steam engine, you will need an empty soda can, pliers, a tea light, an 8-inch piece of copper tubing, and a bowl of water.
Start by cutting off the bottom of the soda can and placing a tea light inside. Next, take your copper tubing and slide it through two holes in the can. Place the can in a bowl of water, bending the ends of the tubing so they are submerged.
Now, you will need to cut the crankshaft wire. Take a 45mm piece of 18 AWG wire and insert it through a few pieces of wood to prevent it from pulling out of the wax. Secure the wire with glue and add some metal washers to provide weight. Put this assembly back into the tea light and pour melted wax over it to hold it in place.
Once the wax has set, light the candle. The water in the tubing will heat up and begin to boil, creating steam. As the steam builds up, it will shoot out of the tubing, causing the can to spin in the bowl.
If your engine does not start, try switching the direction of the flywheel. Ensure that all parts spin freely when turned by hand and check that glue is not blocking any air supply holes.
For safety, always use tongs, pliers, or an oven mitt when handling the engine while it is running. Do not point the tubing ends towards anyone, as the hot steam and water can cause scalding.
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Testing the engine
Before testing your candle-powered steam engine, ensure you have taken the necessary safety precautions. Do not point the ends of the tubing towards yourself or anyone else, as hot steam or water could cause scalding. Use tongs, pliers, or an oven mitt to handle the engine while it is in operation.
Now, you are ready to test your engine. Light the candle and allow the water in the tubing to heat up and boil. As the water evaporates into steam, it will shoot out of the "jets" of the tubing, causing the can to spin in the bowl of water.
If your engine does not start, try switching the direction of the flywheel. If it still does not work, check that all the components spin fairly easily when turned by hand. Ensure that glue is not blocking any of the air holes, and try running the motor on a higher PSI.
Once your engine is running, you can experiment with different variables to optimize its performance. For example, you can try using different types of candles, such as beeswax tea candles, to see if they affect the burn time or power output. You can also adjust the height of the boiler, as raising it slightly may reduce the sound of metal-on-metal that can occur at high speeds.
Finally, remember to exercise caution when handling the engine, as the steam and components can become very hot. Allow everything to cool down before disassembling or making any adjustments.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a tea light candle, an empty soda can, pliers, an 8-inch piece of copper tubing, and a bowl of water.
Cut the bottom off a soda can and place a tea light in it. Then, slide the copper tubing through two holes in the can, place it in a bowl of water, and bend the ends so they are submerged. Light the candle, suck water through the tube, and allow it to heat up until jets form.
Yes, it is important to understand the risks associated with steam engines. Do not attempt to build a complex steam engine with a boiler unless you know what you are doing, as a boiler explosion can cause serious injury. Always use tongs, pliers, or an oven mitt when handling the engine while it is running, and do not point the ends of the tubing toward anyone as hot steam or water could cause scalding.
