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.
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
"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
Purchased original Rojair Mickey Finn from Ashton Models 35 years ago - hull suffered damaged so made a F/G mould before repairing and sailing. Made spare hull from mould and there she sat for 35-40 years. Original Mickey was sold many years ago but as retirement approached the burning desire to fulfill old challenges re-emerged.
So , after putting out calls for help, diagrams, photos or information on the model boat forums, thanks to "John Dowd" and a couple of other guys, I finally got round to resurrecting this fantastic little yacht.
Finally, had a decent day (if you can call calm but fully overcast decent) and managed a try-out of the ST. Unfortunately had the pleasure of some yappy kid asking a thousand stupid questions, then his grandfather started, while I was trying to set it up. Got so distracted I ended up breaking the mast while trying to grab the boat and answer rapid fire questions. Trying to do a video and the kid's yelling behind me, and the grandfather just let him carry on.??😠 Don't mind kids being interested at all, but some are just a pain in the 'transom'
Anyhow, enough grumpy old man stuff, -boat went pretty much perfectly and is plenty fast enough, and also very economical on the batteries, (Vid was twice as long before editing) and when I stopped they were still at 3.9v/ cell (they are only 2200MAh 2s ) and were only 4.1 at the start. All in all, distractions and a bit of mast damage aside, I'm quite happy with it, (did hit the jetty at a 20deg angle at 2/3 throttle while taking photos, - going for that last shot -😀 bounced off without a mark, - lucky the jetty piles are slimy and I build tanks !)
I get easily confused in my old age Doug😐 I've got 2 cars, an auto and a manual, - I've noticed lately, when I shift to P for pass there are funny noises, (noticed the same when shifting to R for race) and in the manual, why does it make funny noises when I pull the stick back to drive off?😮
Confused😐
Changed the piping around and modified the outer tube so the smoke tube now comes straight in the back, and goes almost to the end of the outer tube. The water now comes into the outer tube and flows round the smoke tube and out, stopping any suck back to the smoke pump.
Re Get the Patent first JB,👍
But how will I stop certain 'reverse engineering experts' 😉 copying it Doug. Perhaps call it a vape machine to put them off the scent😀? 'Thinks' blast! I've already told them how I did it. Never mind, now we'll soon be able to buy one off Ali Express. Once had an idea for a pen with a triangular letter opener on the top end. Years later I went to a pop-up Chinese nic nac sale in a rented warehouse, and guess what was there??!!!☹️ They are obviously employing psychics to walk around jotting down peoples' ideas😮
I also still have 5th form (1968) sketches I did for a hybrid go-kart using a Briggs and Stratton motor driving 2 alternators charging twin 12v batteries driving electric motors on the back wheels with chain reduction drives, WHO KNEW???
JB (the too late inventor)
Finally managed to get this to come out the right way up on You Tube (didn't like MP4,- came out upside down). Running the 2 boats from an HK 6ch 2.4 radio (slight crash and jostling by the Maiami at the start) . You'll get sick of it in a few minutes and fall asleep but I've put it up anyhow😁 If this doesn't make you seasick, nothing will!😊 Hit a Koi carp (Chinese sub) at 3.01!
"Koi carp (Chinese sub)"
Er ... that's the JDF, Japanese Defence Force sub JB.
Didn't get seasick, but it did 'make me eyes go funny' 🤓
This can never work for more than a minute or two cos you'd need to have absolutely identical performance of ESCs, motors and rudders (perhaps also hull forms) in both boats.
I tried it once with my destroyer and Sea Scout - no chance!
Had more luck 'escorting' a same scale (1/72) Flower Class corvette around the lake in the Olympia Park, Munich ca 3 decades ago 😉
😎
This vid is cut down from around 20 mins Doug. Each boat is totally independent of the other as one is on the left stick using one RX (elevator and rudder channels) and the other on the right stick using a second RX (throttle and aileron channels)
I think everyone has the idea that they are on the same stick? The eyes do go a bit wonky as the camera is only a small keychain camera (pre Go Pro days) which we used to mount on planes etc, and the boat movements are quick.
You can always change the playback speed (on the left of the You Tube logo)
JB PS I'm sure I saw a red star on that carp!
Running 2 models at once with 2 TXs for a bit of fun for a video. No one else to steer so it was just me, (not particularly coordinated though!) Sorry about the video, YT seems to stuff some of them up even though they are the correct format, (sound almost disappears as well)
Re - Well what do you expect livin' on yer 'eads
Probably something to do with the space time continuum Doug, did you know the water runs the other way down the plughole down South (or up South if you want to be contrary) Mind you, the blood running to the top of the head makes us think differently (same with the Aussies, although they think slightly more left than us😊
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