Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Water Vapor Smoke Unit  (Read 6471 times)

IKB

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 271
  • Location: Wakefield
Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« on: September 20, 2015, 06:38:10 pm »

For some time I have been looking for a water based smoke unit for my Clyde Puffer, although it is possible to buy a commercial unit, I wanted something that would fit my boat exactly and after doing a bit of research, decided to build my own. The following list is the components that make up my current unit, some I bought and some I had lying around in the parts bin.

1 - 12v to 24v 3A 72W DC - DC Step up regulator - eBay 361245313528
2 - Ultrasonic mist maker - eBay 321548707355
3 - Micro 30x30mm fan - eBay 171440455054
4 - Speed controller - eBay (Maplin) 400807065840

After going through several configurations, trying to get the most out of the unit, whilst fitting within the constraints of the model, I found that the vapor units work best when they are under half an inch of water, with around two inches of clear space above the water, to allow the vapor to form.
With this in mind, I constructed the final unit from a standard electrical enclosure, with a custom clear acrylic lid, this worked well, but lake tests proved, that even with a modest breeze, the smoke effect is very quickly dissipated. To over come this, I installed another ultrasonic unit, which has dramatically increased the output, giving a pleasing effect, even on windy days.
To regulate the output, the fan on top of the unit is connected to speed controller, this allows the unit to be setup for differing conditions lake side.
To make the unit easier to use, I have recently installed a pump that fills the unit with water from the lake, which I can reverse to empty it again, in the future I plan to add a float switch to further automate this process.

Video of the first test of the unit in the model, this is with one ultrasonic unit: https://youtu.be/G-hizJ8US14

Logged

Umi_Ryuzuki

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 1,395
  • Location: PDX, OR USA
    • Models and Miniatures
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2015, 06:50:02 pm »

Very nice result.  :-))


And your step up power converter worked?
I had one non working, and the second one the capacitors exploded.
 {:-{

IKB

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 271
  • Location: Wakefield
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2015, 06:54:50 pm »

Hi Umi_Ryuzuki,

Thanks, I am very pleased how the unit turned out in the end.

I have not had any problems with my DC DC step up unit, even with two vapor units attached, which is well within the capacity of the unit.

Alex
Logged

Unsinkable 2

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 515
  • Location: France ( near Guerande)
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2015, 08:12:17 pm »

Mmm very impressive, I saw the video and didn't imagine that much "smoke" from a vapour unit...... Well done. U2
Logged
It'll look better when it's finished!

Skimmer Fan

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 302
  • Location: Wigan
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2015, 08:49:50 pm »

I hope to fit this one into my puffer I have made it but now wonder weather to fit another Mist maker.
http://www.wicksteedparkmbc.com/smoke-generator.html
Logged
Regards
Skimmer Fan

IKB

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 271
  • Location: Wakefield
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2015, 09:26:53 pm »

Unsinkable 2: My apologies, your comment has made me realise that the photo and video, is actually a first test of the two unit system, hence the two wires going under the superstructure  :embarrassed:

Skimmer fan: It is totally up to you, where I sail can be quite windy, so I need the additional output to compensate, but if it is sheltered at your location, then in my opinion, sail it and see, you can always add another one later.

Alex
Logged

The Old Fart

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 298
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2015, 07:35:43 am »

I've built similar units.
At low speed I have a slow 'puff puff' effect, which get faster as speed increases.
Unit shuts off after preset idle time
I use 'Picaxe' control chip, to control fan speed to get the puff effect and shutoff the power to the generators.
Logged

GAZOU

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,083
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: ROCHEFORT FRANCE
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2015, 07:41:26 am »

Hello The Old Fart

Would you have a video?
Logged

Skimmer Fan

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 302
  • Location: Wigan
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2015, 09:10:55 am »

Hi Old Fart
Do you have any information you would be willing to share about your Puff system.
Parts, wireing etc?
Bob
 
Logged
Regards
Skimmer Fan

The Old Fart

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 298
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2015, 10:15:25 am »

I need to make a video of my demo unit.

basic info is on our site, www.greatyarmouthmbc.co.uk
Logged

The Old Fart

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 298
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2015, 12:09:14 pm »

Video of demo unit, tickover to full speed.

https://youtu.be/OWegR32AZVw
Logged

Brian60

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,315
  • Location: Hull,UK-but currently residing in Los Martinez, Spain.
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2015, 10:22:46 am »

I like the concept but how do you stop any water 'slosh' coming up through the fan? I'm thinking this is just a hole in the box that the fan is mounted over to pressurise the vapour and push it out the funnel?

The Old Fart

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 298
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: Caister-on-Sea, Norfolk, UK
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2015, 11:04:17 am »

Hi Brian,

generator is at one end of the tank and fan is at the other.

under the fan I put a deflector so that the air is directed to the end of the tank, which also serves as a shield between the generator and the fan.

The control board, which I designed and made, switches off the generator, then after a pause, switches off the fan. This clears the chamber of mist.

Dave
Logged

Brian60

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,315
  • Location: Hull,UK-but currently residing in Los Martinez, Spain.
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2015, 05:41:55 pm »

Cheers for that Dave, I thought there must be some sort of baffle in there.

GAZOU

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,083
  • Model Boat Mayhem is Great!
  • Location: ROCHEFORT FRANCE
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2015, 08:22:41 pm »

Logged

Unsinkable 2

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 515
  • Location: France ( near Guerande)
Re: Water Vapor Smoke Unit
« Reply #15 on: September 22, 2015, 09:05:37 pm »

Very nice GAZOU, I think I will try and visit GAZOULAND next year it's not too far....... St Naz....... U2
Logged
It'll look better when it's finished!
Pages: [1]   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.092 seconds with 22 queries.