Original 8-inch Ericsson Hot Air Engine

This is an 8-inch bore Ericsson hot air engine patented in 1880 by John Ericsson and made by the Rider-Ericsson Engine co. around 1906. It was designed to pump water from cisterns or wells into tanks on upper floors or into pressure tanks. This engine came from an old home in Southeastern Kentucky. All of its component parts and original paint are very well preserved. This model was used with a deep well pump which is now attached to the engine.

[@eifionjones559]

fascinating machine , a joy to watch. I read somewhere that they were the only Stirling engines made in commercial quantities

[@OKMOEngines]

Thanks😊

[@robcampbell3235]

Just the pure joy of an ece working. Awesome!

[@HeavyMetalEngines]

Nice job preserving the original finish.

[@lloydmcgriff98]

Beautiful Machine ... They surly do not make them like They used to. Wish They did. Thank You very much for sharing

[@eifionjones559]

lovely machine well worth preserving

[@candisbrendel7396]

is that rusty water?

[@robertsimmons6731]

If I had one of these engines in working condition, what is it worth?

[@charleshudner4149]

Eu amo esses motores antigos. Gostaria de ter um modelo desses

[@Daithi16]

How much would one of these be worth?

[@TheBeech58]

We have one of those, more paint.
Rick

[@gastractor]

Very nice!

[@robcampbell3235]

What is max head on these?

[@andrewmosypan9898]

What is the rated power of this engine?

[@riderericsson]

These engines were rated in "manpowers" rather than horsepower. I'm not sure but it's probably around 1/2 hp.

[@synapticaxon9303]

How many watts or horsepower does this one equate to?

[@riderericsson]

Don't know exactly but probably around 1/2-1 hp.

[@KD-lq1sr]

Would they use this pump to fill a cistern or tank?

[@riderericsson]

Yes, that was a very common use for them. They might pump from a cistern or well to tanks in an attic in order to have running water by gravity.

[@KD-lq1sr]

@@riderericsson that's cool. I just ordered a Rider Ericsson catalog reprint off eBay to see more of their products.

[@mimiporsche]

Very nice! it should also be a wood?

[@riderericsson]

Wood and coal were commonly used as fuels for these engines.

[@garyparkkonen8986]

Show the piston action!!

[@peejay6855]

is this engine for sale?

[@riderericsson]

I'm sorry it was sold some years ago.

[@Skoda130]

It seems to have a hard time pumping..

[@ziiofswe]

It's 114 years old....

[@Skoda130]

@@ziiofswe so? That doesn't tell much about the state of the engine, in itself.

[@ziiofswe]

@@Skoda130 I guess my actual point is that it's a 114 year old construction... it never had much power.

[@thermionicemission6355]

That's pumping perfectly fine for the relatively tiny amount of power it consumes, imo.