Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: Geoff Cropper on February 13, 2011, 02:18:09 pm
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Hi Chaps, Here's my simple to make Smoke generator. I used about 7cms of NiChrome wire connected by metal connecters with the plastic cut off, to heavier wire (like the ones on your 6-12volt motor) . I got a plastic box and computer fan and smoke fluid and the thingy that fits on the lid to let the smoke out, all from Maplins (Components section) quite cheap. Then drill a hole in the box each side about 10mm from the top, just big enough for the thick wires in a snug fit (no sealing required) Now take a piece of fibreglass tissue about 20cms long by 4cms wide and fold or roll it up to make the wick 4cms long and now wrap the NiChrome wire around the wick and position it so the wick touches the box bottom. Put in some smoke fluid about 1/4 inch deep in the bottom making sure the wick is well soaked. Test it by connecting it up to a 6volt 4amp SLA battery, it should start smoking as the hot wire burns the fluid on the wick. I experimented with a few drops of linseed oil and a few drops of diesel fuel mixed in and it smokes a treat. Put the fan at one end of the lid and mark and drill the bolt holes. You will need to drill three or four larger holes in the lid, directly under the fan blades to let the air into the box. Drill or cut a larger hole in the other end of the lid to take the pipe fitting which lets the air and smoke out up the funnel. Screw the box lid down and connect the red and black fan wires to a pack of 8 AA batteries (9.4volt tranny pack), connect the smoker wires any way round to the 6volt battery and you should get smoke pouring out the funnel pipe. Thats it. I'll put some piccies on of mine. Regards Geoff.
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Very impressive, but plastic box, oil, wick, electric cables, sounds like the recipe for fire raising. {:-{
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Just look at the avatar Richard %% %%
Ned
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Fit a smoke alarm in your boat, simples {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) regards Geoff. PS. If you see flames coming out the funnel, bring the boat in immediately. O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 {-) {-) {-) {-)
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Seen the avatar Ned, one he made earlier ? {-)
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Heres more piccies, can't see for flamin smoke. There's a song there somewhere. Geoff. {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
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There's a song there somewhere.
Yup its 'Im A Fire Starter, Twisted Fire Starter!' Prodigy %% {-)
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it looks as if a sensible mod would be to have the plastic box inside a metal one , or a metal box with insulation around the cables ? what diameter of nickle chrome wire are you useing please ?
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Around 28swg NiChrome wire. Experiment with different gauges by clipping the battery wires onto the resistance wire about 12 inches apart and slowly slide one clip towards the other clip until the wire starts heating up, dull red, bright red, orange. If you go any closer it goes white and burns out. As long as there is fluid in the tank, it won't catch fire. Geoff.
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What sort of current does it draw Geoff?
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Hi, I don't remember offhand, I didn't test it today, Iwas more concerned with different mixes of fluid. As you know, the brighter the wire the more amps it uses. Wire too dull, less amps but it won't burn the fluid so its a matter of getting a happy medium. Not that they know much about it anyway. {-) {-) {-) I'll get on it tomorrow Martin and let you know. Regards Arsonman aka Geoff
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This is one way to produce smoke. The disadvantage is that it produces a sticky residue on the boat over a period of time. Also is
quite current hungry. Why not use a pond fogger/mister? On flea bay for less than £4 inc pnp.Yes they do require 24v. This can be
supplyed by a dc step up board. !2v to 24v. under £20 built or plans on internet to build yourself. Im not that good. A box and small
Computer fan req. Fogger has to be submerged in water. By running step up board off your Esc a variable out put can be acheived.
To save money Mister can be run on 24v by series Batteries. MMb do sell a ready made unit but requires 24v. John.
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Very impressive, but plastic box, oil, wick, electric cables, sounds like the recipe for fire raising. {:-{
i would be more scared of the fuel
booooooooooooooooom
it would make a pretty cool viewing for the public though {-) {-) %% %%
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its food for thought , a variation of fluids that produce differing styles of smoke will be usefull , as we all know a steam engine emits different smoke to that of diesel or petrol engines , also if you wanted to emulate an on board fire ?
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I just don't like the idea of the inside of my boat and electrics soaked in condensation, isn't that worse to clean up? At least, smoke adds to the weathering effect. {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ Geoff.
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Point taken about vapour but fog only comes out of chimmly. It does disperse more quickly than oil base smoke. So far model has
always remained dry . I beleive from previous threads that sadly there is no way to colour smoke to prduce a dark Diesal smoke
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what stops us putting a few drops of old engine oil into the mix ? will it make a difference weather you burn mineral or synthetic oil ? from following cars running on chip fat that gives off a blueish haze behind the car has anybody tried burning it yet
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May work has anyone tried this? John
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chip fat and a hot wire? sounds like a recipe for disaster. {:-{
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cant be any more of a problem than the diesel or liniseed oil mentioned at the start of this article ? after all we are all attempting to produce the correct colour smoke for our chosen model . it must be possible as air displays put a dye in to produce their smoke
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Hi All
Ref :- Smoker units ( Control Fire )
Please have a look at PDF file in this link
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3053173
Timo2
P.S.
Oil + Hot wire + Air = Fire = load of money >>:-(
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Hi Martin, With reference to amps, I tested it this morning and it's drawing 3 amps. The Hunter System smoker uses 2.5 amps I think. A bit longer Nichrome wire would reduce the amps but also reduce the heat so less smoke. Best if you contact that happy medium again. O0 O0 O0 {-) {-) {-) Geoff. By the way, my smoker won't be on all the time, just when my tug is pulling or pushing hard and moving off from stopped, it will be controlled by on/off switch from servo. Geoff. PS. It might look a bit odd with blue or red smoke belching from the funnel. {-) {-) {-) {-).
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My pond mister draws under 1 amp inc fan. John.
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I have tried baby oil, disco fog fluid. power steering oil, mineral oil, old engine oil, old diesel oil, soot particles, carbon particles, none have produced a darker coloured smoke, I think the nearest I have seen was the recent thread by the blokegirl rathi, using incense sticks stolen from the local temple :}
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Great News, I've finally discovered the ultimate smoke material. It's clean, eco friendly, no smell, lasts ages, can be any colour you want, no hot wires, no switches req'd, running costs n/a. As Rolf would say, "Can you guess what it is yet?" Geoff. PS. LennuffopotniLoownottocdeydkcaLb. {-) {-) {-) :-)) :-)) :-)) O0 O0 O0 %% %% %% >:-o >:-o
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It may be easy to generate the smoke while the Nichrome wire is glowing red hot, but for the sake of safety it may be better to increase the length of the wire till it stops glowing and is just hot, then drawing the liquid up via a wick material ( good luck finding one that lasts though, please post if you have any ideas. ). Most commercial smoke units from the little model railway ones upwards dont glow, and therefore draw less current. I can remember a members funnel smoke unit catching fire at Beale Park because it was running hot. I have tried Parafin, using the logic that that is pretty much what the Red Arrows inject into their hot exhausts, we tried the unit at the clubhouse and within 20 minutes decided to vacate the building due to the fumes, if you try parafin, may I suggest a hot, not glowing element ok2
Your coded suggestion is great for photographs and would certainly fool me %% %%
Anyway from a veteran Pyromaniac to a beginner, may I just say 'enjoy the process, and keep a bucket of water to hand', Keep up the good work :-))
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Hi Guys, I've been trying to fit the smoker into the superstructure today, the result doesn't seem too bad. I'm going to fix a short piece of brass tube over the hole in the top as exhaust pipe. I've got some video clips of the smoker but haven't a clue how to post them, any help please, anyway, here's the latest pics. Geoff.
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Upload vids to YouTube and link here via 'url'
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If you guys are looking for a cheap n cheerful smoke unit, have a look at the 1/16th scale "hen long" tanks, you can get a smoke generator for the exhaust on these tanks. the actual generator is about 40mm square. takes ordinary smoke fluid, has a sealed box lid, held on by 4 phillips screws, and tank lasts about 15mins bnefore needing a refill.
Price of smoke unit, I bought mine off "flea bay" for £15 inc postage from hongy kongy, arrive din just on 10 days. Fitted in my Sun Tug a treat.
Wiring? simply cut off the factory fitted connector and connect to a switched power supply, it runs happily off 7.2 volt, ok on 9.6 [so would accept a transmitter batt pack] but its a bit heavy on fuel when powered off 12v direct, not unless you step it down with a resistor.
(http://s2.postimage.org/248khy59g/P1010001_2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/248khy59g/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/248r43j8k/PB060035.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/248r43j8k/)
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How about this for a smoking tugboat,eh.? Black smoke, what black smoke? Geoff C.
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Hi Everyone, I've now put my vid's on you tube under - Lofty592. Cheers, Geoff.
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Very impressive. Here's the site reference
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqzNypPkNwI&feature=related
Well done Geoff
Ken