A small smoke generator for miniature models

[BlackDragon]

Hi,

I'm looking to start a miniature model assembly project, and one of the things I want to do is make the exhaust of a vehicle really look like it is exhausting gases, without it being anything toxic. Harmless water vapor would be suitable.

I'm looking for something as small as possible, and be able to use as little power as possible so it can run off batteries.

Something like this Aroma Diffuser from Muji would be great, but it is quite big, and runs off the mains power supply.

Thanks

 

[paradigm]

How about somehow modifying an e-cigarette so that it draws in through the cig (hidden) and expels though the "exhaust".

This way you can run it off a battery, and they are tiny

 

[Clav]

What sort of sizes are you looking at? In measurements.

http://www.looksolutionsusa.com/tiny-foggers/
These guys claim their 4" fogger is the smallest in the world, but 4" seems rather large for a miniature vehicle.

 

[BlackDragon]

What sort of sizes are you looking at? In measurements.

http://www.looksolutionsusa.com/tiny-foggers/
These guys claim their 4" fogger is the smallest in the world, but 4" seems rather large for a miniature vehicle.

Thanks, although that's a fog machine, so will probably be a bit overkill!

I don't have a specific size measurement yet, just something as small as possible.

 

[Ceryndrion]

Look at model railways, I know that when I was a child, I had at least one engine that had an operational stack.

Something like http://www.kato-unitrack.co.uk/seuthe-9-smoke-unit-9351-0.html though that will require a minimum 8v supply, so not the easiest of things

 

[BlackDragon]

How about somehow modifying an e-cigarette so that it draws in through the cig (hidden) and expels though the "exhaust".

This way you can run it off a battery, and they are tiny

Thanks. Not a bad idea, but I'd just be concerned it is pumping out all sorts of undesirable chemicals.

 

[paradigm]

Thanks. Not a bad idea, but I'd just be concerned it is pumping out all sorts of undesirable chemicals.

In theory it will be pumping out water vapour (and possibly a bit of nicotine), I guess you could filter it though.

Certainly far less "pollution" than either standing next to a real car, or passive smoking.

 

[Jono]

Find one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCALEXTRI...EW-OLD-STOCK-MINT-/160712737010#ht_500wt_1182

 

[Jono]

Like this one: And disassemble it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scalextri...lot_Cars_ET&hash=item2320a4573d#ht_500wt_1205

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIANG-X3...lway_Models&hash=item3a7788c5e7#ht_3457wt_954
+
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MODEL-TRA...lway_Models&hash=item3a71066254#ht_5182wt_954
= ?

 

[RomanNose]

http://www.regin.com/rcsmokecart.html

 

[Siliconslave]

Thanks. Not a bad idea, but I'd just be concerned it is pumping out all sorts of undesirable chemicals.

as weird as it sounds I think you can get nicotine free liquids for the ecig things... maybe ask in this thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18289509

actually looking at it again you could probably just use vegetable glycerine and water instead of any of the liquids, the only issue would be getting an airflow through the ecig...

 

[The Dread Pirate]

miniature steam engine?

 

[HardwareGeek]

How about dry ice or something along those lines, sublimation in ambient temp

 

[Hitman_Leon]

Thanks. Not a bad idea, but I'd just be concerned it is pumping out all sorts of undesirable chemicals.

just mix your own liquid, glycerine with a small amount of water would do the trick fine and the more water the less 'smoke' so you can experiment for the best effect suited to your needs.

I've got some batteries and atomisers I don't use any-more you can have if you want.

 

[Crowort]

I ain't so sure about the ecig idea as a user myself. They aren't designed to put out vapour without something drawing on them. If you just hold the button it doesn't produce much. Almost all of the batteries have a cut off of about 15 seconds, you could rig something up but then you could do that without an ecig. I'm sure you could do it but I'm not sure it is the best method.

 

[Dis86]

i suggest you also try the warseer and dakkadakka forums.