[Lindsayts]

Back in January Peter did a private mod to the OR code that using the F5 hud (Alt F5) displayed all the major variables from the steamer code.I have found this to be a ________MAJOR__________ help in understanding the way steamers work in OR and also in debuging eng files. I wonder if it would be possible to include this mod in the main code........I thinks its indispensible, the current OR version with the code is now getting long in the tooth.

We have to be able to see and understand whats going on in the code, pretending or believing its all to complex will not get us anywhere.

I assume Peter still has the mod!

Lindsay

[cjakeman]

Lindsayts, on 26 August 2013 - 12:34 PM, said:

We have to be able to see and understand whats going on in the code, pretending or believing it's all to complex will not get us anywhere.

As I remember it, Peter's patch was making visible, with automatic firing, the data that is already visible with manual firing. Is that right?

[captain_bazza]

I second the motion.....Perhaps as another toggle up in the HUD display.

Cheers Bazza

[Lindsayts]

cjakeman, on 26 August 2013 - 01:32 PM, said:

As I remember it, Peter's patch was making visible, with automatic firing, the data that is already visible with manual firing. Is that right?

I assume by manual firing you mean control F?, If this is the case the answer is no, Mind you I never manual fire as one cannot in real life drive and fire at the same time.

Peter's info is way more complete consisting of most of the calculated variable in the steamer src file. The lay out is as follows.......

Below is taken from another system with the loco standing at a platform.

STEAM LOCO PERFORMANC
==Steam Production==
Steam Generated 1378.15 lb/h
Evaporation Area 507m,BoilerkW 485kW, Steamheat 1200 btu/lb
Flue Temp 496.34K, Water Temp 475.09K
Boile Heat 1059707.00 btu, Boiler Mass 28519.2 lb

==Steam Usage==
Cylinder Usage 0 lb/h, Blower Usage 75 lb/h, Basic 750lb/h

==Fireman==
Ideal Fire Mass 2500.4lb, Fire Mass 2500.4lb Fuel Rate 0.02, Burn Rate 0.02
Water level 85%
Desired Change 0.0

==Pulling Power==
Motive Force 0.0 N



This info appears after the OR's debug info using Shift F5.
The info is taken from the calculated variables in MSTSSteamLocomotive.cs
As its is already working it SHOULD not be major chalenge to patch the existing code as long as the source is still availible. Peter did give me the source its entirely possible I have erased it though.

Lindsay

[James Ross]

Lindsayts, on 26 August 2013 - 05:42 PM, said:

Peter's info is way more complete consisting of most of the calculated variable in the steamer src file. The lay out is as follows.......

I'd recommend working it in to the locomotive information page if possible - we already have some diesel and electric data shown there.

[cjakeman]

James Ross, on 27 August 2013 - 04:58 AM, said:

I'd recommend working it in to the locomotive information page if possible - we already have some diesel and electric data shown there.

OK, will do.

Peter has sent me a patch showing the data as Lindsay described it.

[cjakeman]

Lindsayts, on 26 August 2013 - 05:42 PM, said:

Peter's info is way more complete consisting of most of the calculated variable in the steamer src file. The lay out is as follows.......

This has been added to the Locomotives page of the HUD Debug - v1725.

I've provided all the data in Imperial units to suit UK and USA steam locos. Perhaps I can do something for our metric members if there is a demand.

I note that the desiredChange property (for the automatic fireman) is clamped between 0.0 and 1.0 but I saw the unclamped value go as high as 500.

I'm sure you'll let me know if there are any errors :-)

[Lindsayts]

Much thanks, thats a MAJOR improvement.

Now while were on a roll........

There's an extra value that would really help in sorting out the steam loco physics within MSTSSteamlocomotive.cs and that is......

Line 557 cylinderPressure

This is the input pressure into the steam chest.

Dislaying this would be a major help in setting up the OR specfic eng file so as to reflect real world physics. Nearly all steamers lost a lot of pressure between the steam dome and the valve chest. Being able to see the input pressure would make setting up the cylinderPressure interploator a trivial task.

Also theres something odd going on between the Boiler code, the CylinderPressureDrop interpolator and the ForceFactor interplolaters. There appears to be two errors in the data here one almost cancelling out the other, the pressure developed in the cylinders (Forcefactor interplator) being to little, this is being offest by not enough pressure drop in the steam piping.
I am currently setting up data from a real world loco that represents actual conditions in the Cylinder, steam chest and steam pipe to try and sort the issue out. The display of "cylinderpressure" would be a real help here.

The reference for this "fairy tale" is a good number of test results in Andre Chapelons wonderfull "La locomotive a Vapeur"

Lindsay

[Lindsayts]

On further though Re the above a more usefull arrangement would be a pressure line in the debug info.
The Line would read something like.......

Pressure:
Boiler pressure: 210.7 psi Valve chest pressure: 147.2 psi Backpresure: 15.7 psi

Variables from MSTSSteamlocomotive.cd displayed being....

public float BoilerPressurePSI, float cylinderPressure, float backPressure


Such info would be very valuable to any one working on an OR specfic eng file.

Lindsay

[cjakeman]

Lindsayts, on 29 August 2013 - 10:02 PM, said:

Pressure:
Boiler pressure: 210.7 psi Valve chest pressure: 147.2 psi Backpresure: 15.7 psi

I'll look at this shortly, maybe this evening as it's so small.