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Author Topic: Smoke Generator Tests  (Read 14944 times)

Offline Peter Webster

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Smoke Generator Tests
« on: October 24, 2005, 09:30:20 PM »
Eddie,
         I have just received my 2 Super Smoke Generators from Action Electronics so I set up some tests on the 3 different units
The first 2 photos show the 6v Graupner units as installed in my PS Pevensey, the next 2 photos show another of these units installed in the Flower Class Corvette, the next 2 photos show the 12v Graupner unit nervously hand held, but they remain quite cool as long as you don't touch the hot parts, the last 2 photos show the Action Electronics unit.
I have reached the following conclusions  
 1. The 6v Graupner units need space around them to generate a larger amount of smoke, I assume to enable a draft to draw up around it as the Pevensey unit is a tight fit.
 2. The 12v Graupner unit produces  much more smoke, as you would expect of it but as with the Action unit they require more space for the setting up.
 3. The Action Electronics unit shows clearly the amount it can produce through the funnel tube for my Capt. Sturt.
 If price is your deciding factor the 6v unit is the cheapest but the Action Electronics unit is much cheaper than the 12v Graupner and in my opinion a much better unit even though it appears to be the same in a different clothing. I have just realised the photos are in reverse order
Peter W

thewharfonline

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2005, 09:39:21 PM »
hey thats your Pevensey model, it looks really good, really life like! I worked ont he Pev for a week, and I will be working on her more often I;d say from now on. love the smoke looks tops!

Offline Eddy Matthews

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2005, 05:20:48 PM »
The Action units look like they could be promising Peter - Any chance of a photo of the actual unit with a few dimensions please?
~ Never, ever, argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ~

Offline Peter Webster

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2005, 09:52:21 PM »
Eddy,
         I have taken some photos with a ruler included. I hope this is what you need. Maybe Craig at action could provide us with some details on his other range such as sound effects etc. He was a pleasure to deal with and very quick as he took only 4 working days to get me the goods from UK to Aussie.
Peter W :-)

Offline Eddy Matthews

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2005, 10:44:08 PM »
Thanks for that Peter....

Now, since I've never used one of these smoke units, or really taken a close look at a boat with one fitted, where do the units actually fit? Is it fitted at the top of the funnel or the bottom?

Bearing in mind I'm looking for units for my sternwheeler, if they are fitted at the top of the funnel, how far will they draw the smoke fluid up to the burner? The funnels on the Suter are almost 12" high!
~ Never, ever, argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ~

Offline Peter Webster

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re smoke tests
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2005, 05:01:13 PM »
Eddie I have attched a scan of the instruction sheet which Shows 3 illustrations and also the English version of the Procedures, as written by the only Japanese man in Germany from the sound of them, so I hope this will help, let me know Ifyou need more help.The setup I will be using in the Capt. Sturt would, I think, be similar to the setup you would need for the Suter. as shown in the #i drawing
Peter W :-))

Offline derekwarner_decoy

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Smoke Generators
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2005, 05:48:19 PM »
Hi PD's & a question for the west coast Scottish boiler builder - Sandy with all this talk of smoke getting our eyes :sob I wondered on a scale of 1 to 10, what would be the warranty implications if I drilled a 2 mm diameter hole in Decoys boiler funnel & pumped every couple of seconds a few wee drops of sump oil  into the hot gas path :oops & naturally controlled by a 555 timer to ensure a goodly plume of black smoke trailed the vessel :?: - would not the oil ignite at 275 degrees C before it got a chance to cause differential cooling & cooler hot spots on the inner boiler bits :?:

I mean Tony will have his 1/10 crew shoveling coal into his boiler to produce the same effect so :angel  - would you consider this oil injection appropriate or if not could you requote to saw the gas burner bit off & add a fire box & grate for coal firing - no second thoughts, I don't have a 1/10 crew so no one to empty the ash grate - so more  :thinking  required - Derek  :hehe
Derek Warner

Honorary Secretary [Retired]
Illawarra Live Steamers Co-op
Australia
www.ils.org.au

thewharfonline

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2005, 05:52:26 PM »
Black smoke....tsk tsk tsk Marine Board will be on you in a minute shutting you down and expecting an explanation!

Offline mjt60a

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2005, 02:54:31 AM »
Now....I wonder if I could make one of those using the heater from an old glass radio valve (carefully removed without breaking the element)....  :?:
Posted by Mick.
(.....gonna need a bigger boat.....)

Offline Eddy Matthews

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2005, 02:59:32 AM »
Thanks for the instruction sheet Peter - It's just as well they include diagrams, as the text is written in pure giberish! :-)
~ Never, ever, argue with an idiot. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience ~

Offline Peter Webster

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Further to the smke unit tests
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2005, 09:56:41 PM »
Eddy,
         I forgot to mention the current pull is about 0.64 amp for the Action Electronics unit, according to my DMM, which is quite livable. my next job will be to try different colours although white is ok for most Aussie paddlers as tey are mosly woodburners not that filthy but lovely smelling coal stuff!
Peter W

Offline ihughes

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Smoke Generators
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2005, 12:32:10 AM »
Just read your excellent reviews/tests of the oil fired smoke generators.

At the recent Beale Park Model Boat Show one of the new traders (JJC Electronics) who is specializing in sound modules had a prototype 'smoke' generator on display which uses one of the electronic 'mist' generators which you may have previously seen in fountains and water features at your local garden center. These use plain water and of course generate no heat. He had it operating with a small fan (I think) to push the 'smoke' up a funnel. He is working on a 'chuffer' system to produce speed variable 'chuffs' if your engine would have produced this kind of effect.

It all looked fantastic.......and he was suggesting a retail price of around £50.


Here is the link to their Web Site:
http://www.jjc-electronics.com/MyModels.html

sandy_ACS

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Re: Smoke Generators
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2005, 03:13:45 AM »
Quote from: "derekwarner_decoy"
Hi PD's & a question for the west coast Scottish boiler builder - Sandy with all this talk of smoke getting our eyes :sob I wondered on a scale of 1 to 10, what would be the warranty implications if I drilled a 2 mm diameter hole in Decoys boiler funnel & pumped every couple of seconds a few wee drops of sump oil  into the hot gas path :oops & naturally controlled by a 555 timer to ensure a goodly plume of black smoke trailed the vessel :?: - would not the oil ignite at 275 degrees C before it got a chance to cause differential cooling & cooler hot spots on the inner boiler bits :?:

I mean Tony will have his 1/10 crew shoveling coal into his boiler to produce the same effect so :angel  - would you consider this oil injection appropriate or if not could you requote to saw the gas burner bit off & add a fire box & grate for coal firing - no second thoughts, I don't have a 1/10 crew so no one to empty the ash grate - so more  :thinking  required - Derek  :hehe



 :boom  :evil:  :evil:

Hi PD's......Well what can I say......hasn't got the thing yet and already he's planning on drilling holes in it........ :shock:  :shock:

A 2mm hole will most certainly void your warranty, however, a 1.975mm one would be just about ok....but only one mind.....As for pouring old engine oil down the funnel....
NOT RECOMMENDED  :hmmm  :sob  :hmph ....firstly the temperature in the flue, near the top would not be anything like High enough, at 45psi (3Bar) the steam temperature, and thus the flue components, would be around 145 deg C...secondly, even if the oil did partly burn, it would coat the water cross tubes and the inside of the flue with sticky black sooty deposits, which would be near on impossible to clean off properly....this would result in very much reduced heat transfer to your water, and thus degrade the performance of the boiler.... there would also be a risk of unburnt oil eventually running down inside the flue, possibly getting on to the ceramic burner material, especially after a sailing session, (after the thing is turned off).... thirdly...and In my book the most important....the partly burned oil would be ejected from the funnel and apart from falling all over your precious model, thus ruining it, it would also leave an oily wake behind the ship on your sailing water, which would not go down to well with the authorities. :nono  :nono  :oops

Lastly....I would not recommend you use a 555 timer (horrid little 8 legged things)...a 556, (with 14 legs) with it's back up timer connected as a slave would be a better option, and having 14 legs means it could run, or swim, faster to get away from the fire..... :music  :music  :hehe  :hehe  :nose

Finally....your condenser will be venting up your funnel and this will give you a plume of nice clean used steam,...non of your dirty old smoke...


 :yeah  :terrific

Ok I've got the chain saw out and ready to cut the bottom (or should that be the top?) off your boiler, and I've found a rusty old piece of steel tube which can be riveted in place to form a firebox....No point cleaning or painting it though....your bound to drill holes in it anyway....

 :oops  8)  8)  :wink:  :wink:

What do you think PD's....does he deserve another chance??? :?:  :?:

keep smiling

Sandy

sandy_ACS

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Smoke Generator Tests
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2005, 03:31:54 AM »
Quote from: "mjt60a"
Now....I wonder if I could make one of those using the heater from an old glass radio valve (carefully removed without breaking the element)....  :?:


You might be able to wind a suitable heater coil from NICHROME WIRE..
try using a short length from an old electric fire....I used to use this for a 12v foam cutter bow wire...a short length should be ok on 6 volts...

regards

Sandy

 

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