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Holly and Matt-
What type of regulator are you using to connect the propane tank to the
Tube? Using a High pressure regulator as opposed to a low pressure (the kind
found on most residential BBQ grills) will help get more propane into the
tube. The residential versions keep a low and even flow to prevent flare ups
from burning your burgers and veggie dogs. A Ruben's Tube however is a
propane hog and needs a much higher gas flow than this type of regulator can
provide.
One day we'll have more fire demos during the Demo Hour at 2010 ASTC in
Hawaii!

From one fellow pyro to another.....
BJ


On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 10:11 AM, Elton Prater
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> The only other thing I could think of to check is the tank/hose temp. Does
> the Tube use a lot of gas? I have seen propane tanks that are running almost
> wide open get cold enough that their pressure starts dropping and the amount
> of gas you are getting out will drop until the tank warms back up. I have no
> clue if this applies to your situation or not, but thought I would throw it
> out.
>
> Elton Prater
> Science Spectrum
> Lubbock, TX
>
>  ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>>> institutions.
>>> *****************************************************************************
>>>
>>>
>>> Hello ISEN folks!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> My colleague Matt has been working on improving the function of our
>>> Ruben's Tube.  If you operate an RT, or know what may cause the result
>>> that is his description below, we'd love any suggestions or ideas as we
>>> finish it up for our sound demonstration.  Many Thanks! -Holly
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Holly S. Csiga
>>>
>>> Presentation Specialist
>>>
>>> Pacific Science Center
>>>
>>> (206) 443-3658
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> After I play a song on the keyboard through the Ruben's Tube (3-4
>>> minutes) I will play a pre-recorded song through the tube also.  Any
>>> song. When I get about a minute into the song, I start to notice the
>>> fire dying down and parts of the tube will go out completely. This will
>>> continue until I get small nibs of flame coming out. My guess is that
>>> the tube has become unpressurized and has a problem pumping out flame.
>>> Has this happened to any of you?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> If this is the case, if it easily becomes unpressurized, I worry about
>>> pumping too much sound through the RT. Maybe it just can't handle having
>>> the keyboard played through it followed by a pre-recorded song.  I can
>>> play a song in my show, but it has to be just one or the other.  It
>>> doesn't seem to handle both back-to back.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What have been your successes with playing just songs? Have you been
>>> able to get through a whole one or a couple of them?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Please tell me what you can.  I would love it if different people send
>>> their thoughts about this so that we could get a variety of possible
>>> ideas.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Matthew Steiner
>>>
>>> Science-Interpretation/Presentations Operations Lead
>>>
>>> Pacific Science Center
>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
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BJ R. Siasoco
Museum Services Coordinator
Sciencenter
601 First Street, Ithaca, NY  14850
(607) 272-0600 x10
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