Smoke Animation with an E-Cigarette's Vaporizer

David Bodnar Jul 20, 2016

  1. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    Good day, all - I have wanted to explore using the smoke generated by an E-Cigarette for some time and have finally finished that experiment and have posted the results on my web page:

    http://trainelectronics.com/Animation_Smoke/

    and on YouTube -

    The method of generating smoke that I describe is easy and inexpensive to implement. While it may not be appropriate for installation inside of a locomotive (It could be done but such things already exist!) it is ideal for smoke coming from a factory, burning house, car crash, etc.

    We used it at a train show last weekend and it was very well received!

    Have a look and let me know what you think

    dave

    [​IMG]
     
    Kurt Moose, flexeril and subwayaz like this.
  2. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

    3,222
    106
    44
    I think that is interesting. I use e cigs myself and never thought of using them in that manner. Good one
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,735
    653
    Two words- "Very clever!" Before I'd even watched the video, my thought was of an industrial complex. Might be quite a crowd pleaser, on such as an N-Trak module.
     
  4. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    I just added a 2nd video on YouTube that shows details on how the smokestack was set up on my module along with some video clips from a recent train show where it was displayed.

    It also shows an interesting discovery that can be used to improve the smoke flow from a chimney.

    See:



    dave
     
  5. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

    3,032
    8,079
    82
    David,

    Thanks for the posting an answer to my questions, that I have not been clever enough to think of myself. I needed smoke generator for a fire scene on an N scale club layout that will be open during the fair in September. Not only a fire scene but I may try to use on an oil refinery to represent leaking steam and stack discharges. Very clever on your part indeed.

    Carl
     
  6. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    It is good to hear that you liked the project, Carl - please let us know how your implementation goes.
    dave
     
  7. GP40X

    GP40X TrainBoard Member

    87
    53
    23
  8. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    It looks good, Bill - thanks for the photos

    dave
     
  9. cajon

    cajon TrainBoard Member

    889
    20
    23
    Problem w/ any smoke generator none of them look like REAL smoke!
     
    Josta likes this.
  10. Caveman Chuck

    Caveman Chuck New Member

    1
    0
    1
    With our ban-anything-fun laws in California, is that legal in a public place or around children since you are producing propylene glycol vapors electronically?
     
  11. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    Probably - even though the fluid that I use is pure vegetable glycerine (not propylene glyco) some folks are sure to object!
    dave
     
  12. WRustyLane

    WRustyLane TrainBoard Member

    16
    6
    2
    Thank you, Dave, for posting. I´ve seen the video before on you tube as I follow your projects pretty closely. I cannot wait to try this since I have quite a few e cigs and such trying to quit smoking. I´ve accumulated quite a store of e cigs and I´m sure I can get it to work. I have a gold refinery that I want to get smoking. The only thing I need to purchase now is the timer you used to turn the smoker on and off. Thanks again.

    Rusty
     
  13. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    Good to hear that you like the project, Rusty - please let us know how it goes

    thanks

    dave
     
  14. PAPPY1

    PAPPY1 TrainBoard Member

    50
    40
    11
    I like your idea but a question I would ask is after seeing different videos of E cigs catching fire on their own have you ever experienced any problems?
     
  15. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    I have not had any fire issues - I believe that most such problems were due to the use of low quality lithium ion batteries.
    dave
     
  16. pdavidson

    pdavidson TrainBoard Member

    81
    27
    3
    Does the vapor produce any products that would settle back down on the track or layout that would make it harder to clean?
     
  17. David Bodnar

    David Bodnar TrainBoard Member

    264
    481
    13
    I am sure that there is residue that settles on the track but I have never noted it on my module even after running the smoke generator for several days at a train show.
    dave
     
  18. Chops

    Chops TrainBoard Member

    506
    490
    17
    Well, you could use that smoke stack instead of a hand held vape. Just lean over and give it a good toke. :LOL:

    All kidding aside, I did a volcano some years back and used a mist generator from a plastic halloween pumpkin. This mist, however, was cold, and went down, not up. This makes me want to go make another volcano.

    I am not familiar with e-cigarettes. Can this be unit be used with like distilled water to avoid the additives?

    Really like that 30 second delay. Really a show stopper you got going on there. Well done!
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2019
  19. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

    5,677
    580
    82
  20. Akirasho

    Akirasho TrainBoard Member

    1,587
    6,469
    66
    Debbie Downer chimes in: Keep fire suppression on hand. Battery systems with some vape setups have been shown to be problematic and spontaneous!
     

Share This Page