Appreciate the comment Elsrickle, I'm still having fun with new ideas as the possibilities are endless and open to your imagination. I'm sure you'll have fun experimenting (it's actually quite addictive). I think if anyone is thinking of building a smoke unit for a new boat, the idea might be to get one going well, then design in a place to mount it with easy access for filling/replacing element etc. Not the sort of thing to be completely built in. I like the ready made coils shown as they are tidy and easy to replace.

Weight wise for eg, - the vertical vape tank version, (model X) weighs 100g (1/2 the weight of a 540 motor) and the alloy box coil only version was the same weight. The model X is 45mm Diam x 55mm H, so not that large considering, (40mm waste pipe with stop ends) and keeps it all tidy. A complete tank could be used just as a screw fitting (threads are very fine and hard to produce) without the glass and placed in a smaller tube and packed with cotton wool (to be soaked in smoke liquid) and air pushed through the element. So many versions are possible.
JB

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I see the QC officer is there making sure everything is purrrfect😊 (sorry) Looks like a lot of work to convert these. Looking good so far.
JB

I'm really going to have to have a chat with your mother about you Martin!😂
And now as MC Hammer said - "it's hamm-ock time. Evenin'
JB

Interesting Martin! Thinks💡💥☀️

re - It's mainly the lens which is a bit cloudy Martin . I scratched it and tried to polish it out, DUH! Need a better vid cam.
Might do some more on a sunny day. Certainly puts out some serious smoke though!
JB

That one turned out quite well Martin. I was on the lookout for some sort of can to put the tank in and was prowling round our local Bunnings home depot/hardware store and was in the plumbing section when I suddenly had an epiphany. Remembered I had 40mm waste pipe at home so I bought 2 end caps and a bit of sanding drilling and fitting later, voila' version X. not that small but plenty small enough to go in most boats and very easy to make. There is a turn of loose wire inside so I can lift the tank up to fill it.

Strange that it would not work as planned with a bottom air feed, and had to work in reverse. Not to worry, it makes houseloads of smoke, is self contained and easy to fill, (end caps are just a push fit and the top holds the tank in place by the mouth piece) which is pretty much what I was after. I know we can use the vape coils now and I'm sure I can make a small version with just a coil (same idea as the alloy one, - just need to make or find a smaller can) not too worried at the moment as I think I have enough smoke devices for now.

Be interesting now Myself and Graham have kicked it off, to see what the rest of the crew come up with (I think there are a few under way at the moment). I'm sure no one is going to pay silly prices for the commercial smokers now! (which are pretty much what we have done but in a colorful tin) when you can do it yourself.

Seen a few vids on You Tube of people making their own by winding coils on f/glass rope (stove door seals). They work ok but more effort to make. Ready made coils are so cheap (wound coils and replacement screw ins) that it's not worth mucking around. You can buy boxes of various wound coils very cheaply if you make something to use those in. Endless fun.
Thank-you E-Cigs!😊
JB

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Re- That is looking like a very smart little unit. (photo 2)

Was that the 'Blue Box' version you meant Martin?
JB

Re- Do the job properly, don't let your crew freeze, install a stove in the aft cabin

That was mine Nerys, sites got the jitters again, another also doubled up on Kens reply???
JB

All fixed JB 😎 Seems server sometimes gets confused and it's bits in a twist!😮 "Ooooh, nasty!"

Re Hate to disappoint JB - fireworks are banned in this area
We can actually grow Proteas here and in Aust quite well Graham and I realise you mean they are indigenous. Had one growing in my back yard but it didn't like the clay, and only lasted a year. They grow them commercially in some areas. An SA bloke at our work didn't believe me when I told him they grow here! Had to show him one!

We have a lot of Aust plants which grow well here also (especially gums and wattles). My house is surrounded by Cape Daisies and also have Cape Goosberries growing. Even managed to get a mango growing (till a fungus killed it at about 2ft). Have PawPaws growing on my sun deck and managed to get 5 Pomegranates under way which are about 2yrs old and 2ft high. Quite an unusual spot just here on the coast, - warmer than the rest of Auckland and has beaten Nelson as being the sunniest spot in NZ (not the hottest, that is usually Napier/ Bay Of Plenty).
JB

Here are the various smoker versions I've made and the vape coils and tank I have used. Also the Heng Long smoker in standard form and the modified forms - box with fan, fan on tank and one converted to a pulsing air pump (red side outlet) All items were bought from Ali Express, but can be found on EBay etc. I have used the Vaporesso brand tank and coil which seem well made. The 'VECO' tank I bought comes in a proper box with authentication laser sticker and a spare tank glass, spare element and spare o-ring set, very nice!

You will need to make an adapter if you use these, as they are made to be part of a complete device which houses the battery (which you don't need) The coil or tank have the body as one contact and an insulated inner (with coil) which is the other contact (see pics mine and Grahams to see methods used. I've shown here the independant coil attachment and the tank attachment methods I used in my applications.

There are dozens of vape manufacturers and device types so it's up to you to work out how you will do it, $$ etc. I know these versions work well as long as you can get good controllable air flow and and control / set the voltage (regulators cheap on Ali Express in various forms).

Happy smoking!😊or😉
JB, R&D at the Smoketory😉

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This is the Model X smoker just created at R&D. It uses the previously mentioned (below) vape tank now fitted inside a highly technical chamber (waste pipe and stop ends). The previous drawing I did showing this method has now been revised, and airflow input position changed from bottom to top, as the bottom input forced the fluid through the wick for some reason and flooded the coil.

Should have worked theoretically as it should have mimicked sucking on the mouthpiece but theory ain't fact so hence the change. Works really well now and if you blow on the tube gently, you can fill the room with smoke in real quick time, (lungs are now well lubricated😊)
Could have gone for a smaller tube but I wanted to have an air gap, as the vape tank gets hot on 2.5V after a while (too hot to hold). Might make a tinfoil shield/heatsink around it as well.
JB

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This is the top of the line, premium, top grade, no expense spared, gold standard, fully reverse flowed liquid converter. Assembled by skilled Latvian craftsmen using quality hammers and pick axes, and working in the most modern up to date farm sheds. We at Smoke R&D, present the Smoker Model X - "A smoker for the discerning modeler" (said Botswana Model Monthly)
JB, Head Sherang, Smoke R&D.

TWIN AIR PUMPS ON MY LATEST R/C SMOKE MACHINE

▶️

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Still waiting for a better air pump so thought I'd try whacking 2 pumps on and upping the voltage from 2 to 2.5V Works a lot better but smoke still a bit slow. If I blow gently into the air tube I get massive clouds of smoke (hence the need for a better pump) Sorry about the crappy vid,- camera lens has a cloudy spot and not so good inside.
JB

R/C SMOKE MACHINES, TWIN AIR PUMPS

▶️

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Off to the hammock Martin sun's coming up soon and I don't want to catch fire😂 Evening.
JB

Re - FLEET HQ Munich hereby offers HMS Hotspur 1.35m LoA 1/72, as Trials Ship.

Gonna need some electrical HP to hide that one in smoke!, perhaps a burning wick in a tank of of diesel under the funnels, (bit like the kero lamps on full)😁😂
Guessing about 8-10v and 4 vape coils, - fan forced, - or 4s and 2 Heng Long smoke units (1 each funnel, - aaand we're rolling😀
I'm off to the hammock,- Evenin all,
JB

Re - FLEET TO GENTS OF THE R&D DIRECTORATE; SMOKE DIVISION

Will find info in files and report in due course, (once work on the bridge finished, decks scrubbed and the sea grass attended to) Would have the Ensign do it but he's away on Mermaid patrol (❤️🐱 - encrypted) and out of radio range.
JB- R&D -Smoke Envelopment Division.

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Bet Guy Fawkes was fun in SA!😁
JB

RE - The way these experiments are going
This discussion is getting serious now Martin. Sounds like we'll be needing an old warship for experiments!😂
JB

That was one of my thoughts Graham, ease of access to the tank etc for filling or servicing the coil. I'm still looking for small alloy or metal boxes or cans to try ideas out with (like the old alloy film cans, -have one somewhere just don't know where). Might have to start trolling on EBay etc or maybe the car accessory shops.
For the latest effort I just need a can slightly larger than the tank (room to fit tinfoil round tank for heat dissipation) or I could wrap the tank in silicone tube and run water through it. Gets too hot to touch after a few mins on 2v, needs to be kept away from leads and batteries etc. Could easily warp the hull if sitting against it! Introducing air from the bottom of the can might help cool it as well as pushing the smoke out.
JB

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Did someone mention smoke screen - stern of destroyer - PT boat? I'll get the R&D boys onto it immediately sir!
Capt JB CO R&D - Smoke Div

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Re - Basically its all our own fault - the internet and the instant coffee generation

Or perhaps ending up like in the NZ/US/SA co-op movie District 9 ?
JB

Re Looking good. I think using e-cig tanks is the way to go.
It's looking that way Graham, as it saves a bit of mucking about, although with a lathe you could turn up some interesting bits and pieces for a custom unit, (lathe is on my wish list when I win lotto😂) I like the end cap you've made, makes it quite streamlined. Are you still using the big tank you made, or do you find that there is enough juice std for a few demos?
JB

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Re - I have been given a number of the units the same as the ones in jbkiwi 's reply pictures.

Don't worry Mike, having too much fun playing around with them, (sort of addictive!)
JB

Re -There are ways to get around restrictions JB

Don't know about SA but you can't even buy potassium nitrate for your garden any more since that mc veigh? guy blew up a US building years ago killing lots of kids and adults. A few years back a fertilizer store caught fire in a big plant nursery here. It was small when I first noticed it but it soon got really going, with clouds of black smoke. I'd been reading about the fertilizer ship, the Grandcamp which blew up in the Texas harbour (1947) only a few months before this and it described the colour of the smoke not long before it and another ship blew, killing over 300 destroying the port, and stuff for miles around.

I stayed back about 2km but people were all coming out of businesses and stopping everywhere (it was next to the largest business area on Aucklands north shore) to gawk at it. felt like driving down there and telling them all to bugger off smartly but I was not going near it! About 6 fire trucks turned up but by then it had got huge and real black. It was getting to be a bit worrying but they eventually got it under control. Pretty scary stuff fertilizer!.

Well worth a look on line at the Texas port explosion and the one in Canada where the munitions ship blew up and destroyed Halifax 1917 Unbelievable damage!
JB.

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You can bring your fireboat over Graham and be standing by on startup😂
JB

If only I was that clever Martin! unfortunately he had terminal sickness in 2008😴 He did 40yrs+
of comedy so he didn't have a bad run and made a lot of people happy😊
some of his quotes-

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.

Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.

Here's all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid.

The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.
JB

That's the type of coil I tried in the metal box version Martin, a bit easier to hook up the particular coil by itself as it has a nice loop on the center pole. The latest one is also a Vaporesso brand but a different model with small coils and nowhere to wire on to, - hence buying the tank to try. Making a 'sleeve' to fit over the inlet slots could be tricky without a lathe, hence enclosing the whole thing seemed easier.

Your type is probably a better option but they are around $50 here and this one was only $24 so worth the risk. Don't want to waste too much money as the idea is working in the various forms already (mine and Grahams) Just trying this, as with the tank it's self contained, and not too bulky. Also trying to get the size down to fit in smaller hulls and be easy to work on and fill.
JB

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No apologies necessary Martin, I think we have exported our fair share to other unfortunate countries ( especially Aust) trouble is Aust has arrested all the bad ones, put them in a low security prison and is forcibly sending them back (gang members etc) - even if they have been there 20yrs and lately been behaving themselves. We should do the same back but our PM's too p..s weak to do anything that might make her look bad to the UN (wants a job there like the previous commie wo-man PM- mentored by her as well!)

Both of them living with partners but not married, (setting a good example for young people- no commitment shown!) both ex union lifers and no other jobs before joining the public trough and becoming PM (this one only because of MMP - otherwise had no show, acts like she was actually voted in by majority!) Geez, I'm getting grouchy in my old age, - mainly can't stand BS😠 - and it's getting worse by the shovel full every day! I'll send you a PM vid link (make sure the wife's out or the headphones are on😉😊 George Carlin on advertising-brilliant!)
JB

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This is the latest crack at a more compact easily made smoke unit using off the shelf (pretty much) items. I bought a top filling vape tank which arrived today and made an electrical connection base for it to start with. The base is industrial linen (formica,- or you could use hardwood) which is drilled and tapped to 4mm, and also counter bored to almost the thread diam of the bottom of the tank. The counter bore was tapped to 7mm but only to get the tank thread started, as this thread is very fine (7x.25?) and I doubt if you could easily find a tap to suit. Also the tank only has to screw in a small amount to hold it in place for the center electrode to contact (adjustable brass screw), and to trap the neg/pos wire which must contact the body.

I made the center contact from a 4mm brass screw which is screwed in from the bottom till it contacts the center electrode (which is insulated from the stainless tank body) Under the head of this screw is the wire for the + (or -) -- also screw has a small piece of silicone tube on the inside over the screw to further insulate it ( don't want LiPo shorts!) and the other lead is under the body where it screws onto the base. I tried it on 2v an 2.5v and it works very well (air being fed in the top (where you normally suck from) and the vapor comes out the adjustable air slots (which are normally the intakes.)

If you could make a collar around the intake area you could either direct the vapor into a collector, or reverse this (air through the collar) and have the vapor exiting the proper way through the mouthpiece (preferable). to make it simpler I am just going to enclose the whole thing, and have the air feed set up through the lid into the element and the exit (tube/tubes) through the top or side of the container. This particular tank must be kept upright to avoid leaks but is small enough to strap to a bulkhead or similar.

Have ordered another air pump which hopefully will be better than the previous disappointments! Yay another month to wait!!!😴 Looks promising so far though!
JB

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Probably can't buy that here Red, even glycerin is behind the counter now (what's dangerous about glycerin's got me buggered! you can drink the stuff!) You're probably still allowed to blow stuff up in SA (Guy Fawkes is almost dead here now due to restrictions - bloody fun police are killing everything for kids )! Wonder if a drop or two of diesel might work,- at least it would smell the part!😀. Might give it a go!
JB

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