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
I think that is interesting. I use e cigs myself and never thought of using them in that manner. Good one
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.
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
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
It is good to hear that you liked the project, Carl - please let us know how your implementation goes. dave
One of our club members, Sergio, did this on his Old Faithful T-Trak module http://ttrak.wikidot.com /old-faithful
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?
Probably - even though the fluid that I use is pure vegetable glycerine (not propylene glyco) some folks are sure to object! dave
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
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?
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
Does the vapor produce any products that would settle back down on the track or layout that would make it harder to clean?
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
Well, you could use that smoke stack instead of a hand held vape. Just lean over and give it a good toke. 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!
The big concern is exactly what kind of factory smell you want. Me, I'm going for a passion fruit scent: https://www.vapevandal.com/products/basic-vapor-music-and-vape-passion-fruit
Debbie Downer chimes in: Keep fire suppression on hand. Battery systems with some vape setups have been shown to be problematic and spontaneous!