Stirling Engine Generator Mk4 (Rocket Stove!) Part 11

Building of an easy, cheap and reliable, DIY stirling engine full size model! It will be fired by wood and could be a great stirlingkit if it works!


This is a fun engineering project that I will use to power a generator to provide energy. It will use an efficient rocket stove that burns really hot using wood that will hopefully drive it at great speed! This technology can use any fuel type with the correct burner so is dual fuel as well. I would like to provide plans / stirling engine kit for DIY builds and possibly build machines too.
This is all pivots on being able to produce an easy, cheap and reliable stirling engine! Watch this space…..

   • Stirling Engine Generator Mk4 (Rocket...  

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I've made a few minor changes. I've added a counter weight to the crank, made spacer rings to go on diaphragm outer clamp areas, added chimney support, removed cooling fan and fitted Kevlar diaphragm to cold side.

We did another dynameter run and we now have a massive 87w! (At least we could light one 60w bulb now!). The power is a little closer to where it should be and almost as powerful as the previous mk3 engine. Not big power but I have to remind myself it accomplished this with a simple design, diaphragm seals and a handful of sticks.

The hot diaphragm seal has now lasted for 7 hours running, so it's looking good : ). Only time will tell if it lasts.

I've pretty much come to the end of development of this engine. Sure, I could substantially improve elements by cutting it to pieces and reconfiguring it but I'm pretty happy with this little engine as it is. I'll probably do a few follow up video's of endurance runs, etc, as I show it this summer.

My mind is already on potential designs for the mk5 version. I am looking to improve output by 50% / swept volume. Hopefully I'll learn some lessons this time and actually improve the power! I'll try to show you all a fairly detailed plan of what I'm trying to build so you can scrutinise my idea's before I commit to materials!

Many thanks to everyone who contributed and apologies to those who put forward perfectly valid ideas but I didn't have time to try. I now need to catch up on my DIY jobs to keep my family happy before embarking on the next project!

All the best


Thanks for watching

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