YHK - yet another hacker news clone

Wax motor

114 points mhb 1 day ago 21 comments

cbdumas 1 hour ago | parent

I'm surprised this page doesn't mention the automotive thermostat which uses the same principle to control the flow of coolant between the engine block and radiator in an ICE vehicle.

jammaloo 1 hour ago | parent

Perhaps you would consider adding that information? That's would be an interesting addition!

Terr_ 1 hour ago | parent

The "See Also" has "Wax thermostatic element" [0] which seems focused on automotive applications, so perhaps it was there and grew enough to bud-off.

> Its principal application is in automotive thermostats used in the engine cooling system.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_thermostatic_element

alnwlsn 1 hour ago | parent

Seems as though it's been filed under a different page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_thermostatic_element

moron4hire 1 hour ago | parent

Objects like this make me think of grimdark (steam|diesel)punk works like the video games Dishonored or BioShock. It feels like there's a touch of occultism or corruption whenever one creates a device that exploits analog side effects to create machines in a closed, black-box package.

WJW 1 hour ago | parent

I have bad news to tell you about your "digital" computer.

quickthrowman 52 minutes ago | parent

> Objects like this make me think of grimdark (steam|diesel)punk works like the video games Dishonored or BioShock. It feels like there's a touch of occultism or corruption whenever one creates a device that exploits analog side effects to create machines in a closed, black-box package.

The second sentence also fits for field effect transistors and solid state electronics in general.

In the spirit of grimdark steampunk, have you ever heard of pneumatic logic? I still see these systems operating normally in some older mechanical rooms, it’s cool to see them still working after 40-50 years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_circuit

wvbdmp 42 minutes ago | parent

I see what you mean, but it’s less the exploitation itself than its immediacy and legibility. It doesn’t vanish behind a million abstractions or complicated miniaturization processes but can be readily experienced and understood, like steam.

On the other hand one might as well associate it with “solar punk”, especially when powered by ambient temperature.

bonkabonka 1 hour ago | parent

Big Clive took one to bits some years back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPuvhnIoz2g

LeoPanthera 39 minutes ago | parent

What a treasure Big Clive is. Educational, entertaining, and zero of those YouTube cliches and clickbait that everyone hates. I don't think he's ever said "Like and subscribe" literally ever.

WJW 1 hour ago | parent

Using this as a greenhouse vent actuator is pretty cool. It just makes so much sense.

IshKebab 59 minutes ago | parent

I once had an interview at PA consulting where they asked one of those questions where they have "the answer" but their question isn't well specified enough to lead to that unique answer. They kept adding conditions, but I hadn't ever heard of wax actuators before. (I was like 19 or something - didn't get that job!)

palmotea 37 minutes ago | parent

If you want to see one in action, I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sApyrDEXGAI

kazinator 23 minutes ago | parent

The expansion of paraffin wax is substantial. I have experience wax potting guitar pickups as well as bicycle chains. I use a skinny, tall tin can for this, placed in boiling water. When the liquid wax solidifies, it not only pulls away from the sides of the can so that the resulting ingot slides out freely, but a void forms in the center. The top surface has a depression and a deep hole in the center.

post_break 18 minutes ago | parent

My mini truck uses a couple of these with vacuum lines to control the choke and EGR. They are expensive to replace for obvious reasons.

WJW 14 minutes ago | parent

Why is this obvious? Beeswax is not particularly expensive I think?

limaoscarjuliet 18 minutes ago | parent

Wikipedia page has a small error. It shows an actuator (i.e. wax motor) described as thermostatic radiator valve https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_motor#/media/File:Thermisc...

These are two separate things: thermostat will close and open based on surrounding temp., the actuator on the other hand opens and closes based on energizing a heating element that is driven by a separate thermostat.

Wax motors are pretty cool things. They rarely fail and do their job even in damp environments. I take care of my better half's hotel with approx 100 of these installed and we replace one of these once every couple of years.

ta988 13 minutes ago | parent

As you seem to know how to explain that would you mind fixing it? You don't even need an account.

agumonkey 8 minutes ago | parent

I was quite amazed to find these when dismantling appliances.