Inspired by jbkiwi's experiments on a smoker, and interested in developing one for my Crash Tender I have built an experimental rig based on using an e-cig for the smoke generator and an air pump. The air pump is driven by an electronic lash-up which pulses the pump at a rate depending on the throttle setting. The video shows two tests, first with the water off, then with it on.
Re: Can you give me more info on the electronic lash up you have made for the pulse circuit working from the motor speed control and the electric circuits for the e cig and pump.
The attached drawing shows a block diagram of the electronics. The 'smoke pulse generator' is a PIC10f220 microchip programmed to measure the pulse width of the throttle channel from the receiver. This width is used within the PIC to generate an output signal which is in effect the on/off waveform for the air pump driving the smoker to produce smoke pulses. The higher the throttle setting, the shorter the off time of this output signal and hence the more frequent the smoke pulses. This signal is connected to the PWM speed controller to control the pump speed. In the first iteration of the circuit, the PWM speed control circuit was built with two 555 timer chips and a bunch of discrete components. The second iteration, put together today, replaces the 555 timers and all the discrete components with a second PIC10f220 chip.
I'm still working on the settings and timings for these circuits adjusting the pulse widths, pump minimum and maximum speeds, etc to try and get a more realistic effect.
Thanks for the info. Afraid the programming of the chip a bit much for me, the timers circuits not a problem have used them before with success. However enjoying the progress of the smokers you doing a good job
Using the modified fan forced Heng Long smoker box, and a dead unit pump to pulse the smoke. This version is a 'dry stack one', which would look good on tugs and work boats. Still working on perfecting the 'wet' version.
Told you to get on with a new project before you sank the ship........ Interesting that Bluebottle is still around - so which one are you ??????? Next thing you will be talking about Iceland Parrots (aka wheels-up) . What were you putting in the smoker ..............
Hi Peter, if you meant what am I using for the smoke,it's baby oil, or if you meant what am I putting this system in - nothing as yet. have to reduce the size, but I could fit it in the Fairacre or the Maiami as I have enough room in both to fit something.
JB
Hi Martin ,ref Juno - here is a response from our club member Dean who built "Juno"
Juno is quite a basic flat bottomed boat, mainly due to my very basic modelling skills, and is intended to be a bunkers barge. She is roughly 1.24 scale, approximately 43 inches by 8 inches and is made from recycled and up cycled materials wherever possible. She has a single rudder and propeller, powered by a single motor from a drill, and two 6v lead acid batteries.
She is a totally freelance design, but I took inspiration from Humber barges such as the Humber Princess, which I used as a rough plan for the deck layout.
In light to medium wind , even with just one servo on rudder only , the "Nip" is in its element tacking within a desired arc.
Adding the second servo for winch control provides adequate range for tighter tacks and broader reach/ runs.
Get the best mast position established - then just "SMILE" !.
Found a way of pulsing the water using the pump of a dead smoker (Hen Long smoker that is) In this test I used a pump to prime the smoker pump (smoker pump on 2s) and the rest is just syphoning through the pump to the smoker. You can vary the amount of 'spitting' from the exhaust by running the pump at low voltage or maybe using a peristaltic pump with a small flow.
I did not connect the fan powered smoker unit as I ran out of silicone tube, but the result should be the same as the last vid but with 'spitting' water. Using the smoker pump for water is not perfect as it would need sealing properly, and it's cumbersome, but you will get the idea. I have ordered a couple of small air pumps, so might have another crack when they come. I'll use them at the exhaust to disrupt the water flow if they are powerful enough, rather than use the smoker pump.
Re - As the saying goes good one Cyril
Thanks peter, not quite perfect but it's certainly heading in the right direction. At least it might get people thinking about something different to try with their boats, which if tuned right, might give them extra Brownie points at the pond. Would also be even better with a good sound unit! I'm sure someone will come up with a good idea to refine it sooner or later, (probably on the long drop at 2 in the morning!😁😂!) If I can refine it more, I'll post the results.
JB
Re- I vape and i make my coils and e-liquid.
And just what are you growing in your back yard to make the afore mentioned liquid Martin?
Now we know where all your 'interesting' ideas come from😉😊😂 Good info BTW, found a chart a guy here has done with different wire sizes and resistance calcs.
JB
Hi Nerys, not sure if this is the correct place to post but here go`s ! - hope this helps.
Perhaps you can get some detail also from the videos. Hope you can see the photo files ?
Ken, it was your Wee Nip that started the chain of thought and I thought about building one, but it's one of those projects pushed to the back of the production line. Then I saw this Mickey Finn hull at a price worth considering on Ebay and bought it. Might resurrect with correct rig, might experiment. Too many barges come before that.!
Made a few mods to the cooling system and was hoping for a quiet day for a video ("yeah right") Too busy watching out for an erratic orange torpedo to have much close up fun! Tried out a few full speed turns with no dramas, sticks like glue with no hint of 'roll out', just a bit of cavitation.
"Genie" was a classic Marblehead 50" long. Designed by Vic Smeed, she had a hard chine hull construction.
This was my first "home brew" model yacht and I ended up building 4 of these in total - so pleased I took some picies.
Hi Phil, brings back a few memories. The guy who started producing glass Marbleheads in Auckland in the 70s (Fred Martin) lived just round the corner from me at Bucklands Beach. He was probably partly responsible for the large interest in the class in the early days. They weren't cheap even back then, but it's gone really stupid with the newer IOM boats being as much a $5000 these days. I know what I'd rather spend that sort of money on - a full sized yacht, Just ridiculous!!
It's become a rich couch yachties game. I see them where I run my boats, all turning up in their Land Cruisers, Mercs and BMWs, and most live in exclusive areas. Definitely not a kids hobby any more!
JB
Re: Can you give me more info on the electronic lash up you have made for the pulse circuit working from the motor speed control and the electric circuits for the e cig and pump.
The attached drawing shows a block diagram of the electronics. The 'smoke pulse generator' is a PIC10f220 microchip programmed to measure the pulse width of the throttle channel from the receiver. This width is used within the PIC to generate an output signal which is in effect the on/off waveform for the air pump driving the smoker to produce smoke pulses. The higher the throttle setting, the shorter the off time of this output signal and hence the more frequent the smoke pulses. This signal is connected to the PWM speed controller to control the pump speed. In the first iteration of the circuit, the PWM speed control circuit was built with two 555 timer chips and a bunch of discrete components. The second iteration, put together today, replaces the 555 timers and all the discrete components with a second PIC10f220 chip.
I'm still working on the settings and timings for these circuits adjusting the pulse widths, pump minimum and maximum speeds, etc to try and get a more realistic effect.
Graham93