Tuesday Torque: Daimler Marine Engine

 Have none survived? I would love to see a video of this engine running. Thank You, Merle, for the link. From Facebook, Iconic Rides.

"1890s motorboat fitted with an early Daimler 1.5 horsepower narrow angle (17 degree) V-twin engine. These engines used a 'hot tube' ignition system, which was kept hot by a small Bunsen-type burner attached to the side of each cylinder head.

This ignition system wouldn't allow the engine to rev much past 600 RPM, but it was generally reliable, and there was nothing electrical to ever fail. The engine would run as long as there was fuel in the tank and the flames remained lit. No word on how resistant to sea spray the ignition system proved to be, but at least it wouldn't short out on a wet day.

Daimler engines proved popular for both boats and stationary use during the last decade of the 19th century because the company developed the design enough for it to be (relatively) reliable before they offered it to the general public. The thermal ignition system was also more familiar to the average user, who was already used to lighting fireplaces, steam boilers, gas lamps, wood stoves, etc. Some Daimler engines were built and sold in the USA, as well as in Europe. This engine ran using the familiar Otto (4-stroke) cycle we still use today."