Smoke fluid, oil stuff :)

don_jarr · 28-09-2007

Hi all

I ordered the other day a Hunter electronics smoke unit, and wondered if you had to stick with the special stuff it comes with to make smoke, or can anything else be used, or can you make your own.

J Don

rjwood_uk · 28-09-2007

not sure but i have a big bottle if you need some.

i can send you 500ml in a water bottle if you want it for free.

Richard

**Bunkerbarge** · 28-09-2007

I used to use Graupner smoke oil in mine. I think any smoke oil would do the job but you might want to experiment to get the best effect.

I used to have this exact unit but I have to say it proved to be a bit of a challenge. The plastic supports that hold the heating element collapsed after only a few hours running and rendered the unit useless. I hope you have better luck but bear in mind they do produce a lot of heat so put it in a safe place in your boat.

Either that or sell tickets for the event because it should be worth watching!!

IainM · 28-09-2007

I was talking with a guy at a recent show who had one operating in one of his boats to great effect and he told me, believe it or not, that he always used Boots Baby Oil.

Hmmmmmm - plenty of smoke and boy didn't it smell nice as well

Can't say as how I've tried it but .......

Iain

don_jarr · 28-09-2007

Hi all

Thanks for that Richard, is it proper smoke oil or fog machine stuff. I only ask as I have found loads of the fog machine stuff and comes in different densities, but I didn’t know if it worked the same. I will wait for it to arrive and see how it works, providing it doesn’t melt itself I will give you a shout.

For some reason I said Hunter, (I bought something from them a few days before,) Its actually a Action Electronics one, so don’t know if that is different or not.

Prior to firing it up, I will see if I can make any adjustments to stop it melting itself if it looks like it might. As for placement, I am making a sort of smoke tank to hold it, with a fan so it works like a diesel engine, giving big puffs when it pulls away. I will also take extra fire precautions, as a guy had a fire a while ago, at the boating park, where his speed controller shorted out.

Thanks

Don

**GEEDUBBYA** · 29-09-2007

Howdy guys,

Well as i mentioned in another thread about how they test gas masks at the pine bluff arsenal (Pine bluff, Arkansas in the USA), they use a light weight oil such as mazola corn oil for generating "smoke". They do this by blowing compressed air into a 5 gallon bucket of oil, it produces enough "smoke" that after a few seconds, you cant see your hand infront of your face.
I would think that any light weight oil would work, the problem with making smoke on the scale of a 5 gallon bucket is the oil film left on everything in the area when you finish, but that shouldnt be a problem in smaller scales.

hope this helps, have a good day,

Greg

new to trains · 01-10-2007

i use several oils in mine, i have an old 12 volt unit, by tomahawk products,the one i like best is the maplins smoke oil in it, they sell 5 x 1 litre bottles for about 20 quid, non toxic and slightly scented- oil with a hint of citrus or apple or whatever.....

for awesome results try the theatrical suppliers le maitre......they supply discos , theatres and film sets and stuff - their oil creates the best smoke, its very realistic but its extortionate... their website claims discounted prices on bulk purchases...£1400 for 200 litres !

rjwood_uk · 01-10-2007

i have a problem.... :-(

does anyone have a spare charger that will charge a 7.2v 3700 mAh battery pack i could borrow. when i got my smoke machine and battery pack i was told the battery pack was fully charged and would last ages....it lasted about 5mins and i cant afford a charger at the moment :-(

edit:

ok scrap that.... i think my smoke machine has been thrown away. all the extra parts are were they were but i think it might have been trashed accidently one day :-( so unless some one has an old working smoke machine they can sell/donate to me i dont need a charger lol.

edit:

i found i!
at the moment im trying to charge the battery in such a bodge way im not even going to say! so if anyone has a spare charger they could lend me...that would be great!! :-)

don_jarr · 01-10-2007

Hi all

Several have said about the Maplins stuff, but I done a search for it online and can't find it. I find the machines and scents, but no actual oil.

Perhaps I am just being really dim as normal. If anyone has a link or item code, that would be great.

Don

rjwood_uk · 01-10-2007

maybe its not the kind of thing they show online. do you have a store near you?