Ultrasonic Smoke (Mist)

[Ian TolondParticipant @iantolond66066]

Hi Model boaters,

 

as you guess a beginner here but I did get some helpful info from our Nov 2009 (p66) Laura K article.

 

Main Question

Most of the info is self explanatory however one point of using a switched mode power supply from a laptop to raise to 24v from 12 I am missing. Can any1 guide me on how to (quick learner) – model of laptop what i am looking for- alternatives as well

 

supplementary question

also I have seen articles online to place foam/mesh or other type substance in funnel top to prevent all the mist blowing away in a cross wind

 

bonus points!

last but clutching at straws but anyway of getting mist in darker colour. I assume anything that attaches and vaporizes at the sonic rate would suffice- anyone tried?

[Ian TolondParticipant @iantolond66066]

After guidence

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

ive often though of these ultrasonic smoke thingys but they seem to all run on 24v so other than putting 2 12v batts in parralel i dont know how to get one to work so i made my own smoke generator using maplins smoke fluid it works quite well and only cost £2 to make plus a few bits n bobs i had knocking around

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

Hi Ron,

I hope you don’t think I’m being a smarty pants but to obtain 24v you need to wire your 12V batts in series not parallel. I am interested in your home made smoke generator idea.

 

Dave

 

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

lol i knew it was one way or the other wasnt sure if the techniacal term,  send me your email address ill send some pics to you

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

Thanks Ron, email on its way via pm

Dave

Edited By Navigator on 19/02/2010 21:13:22

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

after getting a few pm,s about my smoke generator i decided i would put a description on here 

  this is how i made my smoke generator,

first i got the wife’s old hair dryer and removed the heating element,

then i cut it into different lengths to find out which length gave the correct resistance to create enough heat for the 12v battery i will use to power my boat, (this was a bit trial and error)

then i crimped the element into a little brass tube i had knocking around from a previous model,

i was given this little grey box from a friend i think it was originally from MAPLINS, drilled two holes to fit the brass tube into with the element attached on the inside,then crimped two wires which go to the battery on the outside,

i bought a roll of fibreglass jointing tape from my local pound shop and cut a small length off and rolled it up to fit inside the coil of the element with a bit protruding out the bottom to soak up the smoke fluid,

next i got a small fan off an old PC tower that someone had thrown out mounted it on top of the box with the original screws,

i drilled two 5mm holes in between the fan blades in the box,but found one was sufficient,

next i got one of those new push fit 15mm plumbing fittings i had drilled a hole large enough to use the thread of the fitting to be screwed into the box,

then poured a little smoke fluid in the box put the lid on and watched the smoke rise,

i found that if theres just enough fluid to reach the bottom of the element i get more smoke rather than submerse the element in the fluid,

the fan will be connected to my motor via my speed control so the faster the boat goes the more smoke is produced,

i hope this explains my bodge lol

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

also ill put some pics in my gallery

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

Thanks Ron,

 I have received your email thanks. I am now trying to think of a way to pinch the heating element out the wifes hair dryer, somehow I think she will notice

 

Dave

[ron hawesParticipant @ronhawes49865]

send her to the hairdressers tell her a no1 crop is the latest fashoin !!!

 

 

the element wire is nickle coated i believe its in quiet a few different things from hair dryers to those little blow heaters you put under your desk or look in a charity shop im sure you could get a 2nd hand hair dryer for a pound or so

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

She is a hairdresser!

 

You are right Ron, there are plenty of sources I can recover some element wire. I think Maplins sell it if it can’t be obtained for free.

 

As a side note many 2nd hand and charity shops have stopped selling electrical goods as the items such as hairdryers have to be checked, tested to prove they are safe. As this test must be carried out by a competent person using test equipment this costs money so most of these shops have stopped selling the products due to the liability implications.

 

Dave

[Len OchiltreeParticipant @lenochiltree67043]

Or the element from a Toaster or paint stripper, A similar Smoker plan is to be found on the M**h*m Forum.

 

Len.

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