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smoke anyone?

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2001-03-09 00:50 in General Discussion
I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator of
the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I thought
of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell testing.
Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 16:44
    As a newbie, this is the first post I've been able to answer to some
    degree [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Depending on the rate of air movement, perhaps you could use large incense
    sticks or cones?

    They're cheap, burn a long time, provide quite a bit of smoke, and make
    the room smell pretty! *laugh*

    -Rich

    On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:

    > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
    > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator of
    > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I thought
    > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell testing.
    > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 16:50
    Ah...I wasn't sure what your volume was...for small projects this works
    well [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    -Rich

    On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:

    > Thanks, but I've done that on smaller projects, but the air volume is much
    > higher now - 40 to 100 cfm. Actually, your idea works well for checking
    > suction from free air.
    > There is software available to simulate this effect also, but it's super
    > costly.
    >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: Richard D. Alloway [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=-34rsFN97a9rW0M5TzfRuWO-47IRSJnRCi5xdGoisXh7c2zKOXS_vExg8dS9rKWfFM1-q6Ll]ralloway@h...[/url
    > > Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 11:44 AM
    > > To: Basicstamps Egroup (E-mail)
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > As a newbie, this is the first post I've been able to answer to some
    > > degree [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > > Depending on the rate of air movement, perhaps you could use
    > > large incense
    > > sticks or cones?
    > >
    > > They're cheap, burn a long time, provide quite a bit of
    > > smoke, and make
    > > the room smell pretty! *laugh*
    > >
    > > -Rich
    > >
    > > On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:
    > >
    > > > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    > > heater with a
    > > > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    > > someone for
    > > > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a
    > > visible indicator of
    > > > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    > > heater. I thought
    > > > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    > > tunnell testing.
    > > > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 16:54
    Thanks, but I've done that on smaller projects, but the air volume is much
    higher now - 40 to 100 cfm. Actually, your idea works well for checking
    suction from free air.
    There is software available to simulate this effect also, but it's super
    costly.

    >
    Original Message
    > From: Richard D. Alloway [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=4MpBkVx7g4EyGKLUurGSBsGmkm0uOLw515rvIa2cxbEsF_Pp9yRhJZxVYYzctlL71PkdvZS476sGl7w]ralloway@h...[/url
    > Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 11:44 AM
    > To: Basicstamps Egroup (E-mail)
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?
    >
    >
    >
    > As a newbie, this is the first post I've been able to answer to some
    > degree [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > Depending on the rate of air movement, perhaps you could use
    > large incense
    > sticks or cones?
    >
    > They're cheap, burn a long time, provide quite a bit of
    > smoke, and make
    > the room smell pretty! *laugh*
    >
    > -Rich
    >
    > On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:
    >
    > > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    > heater with a
    > > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    > someone for
    > > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a
    > visible indicator of
    > > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    > heater. I thought
    > > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    > tunnell testing.
    > > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 17:03
    How about smoke grenades - as used by the Paintball fraternity ? They make
    LOADS of smoke for about 30 seconds, depending on size.

    HTH,
    Justin.

    Original Message
    From: Richard D. Alloway [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=tgU-5ktzHPuThcl7xZ1xJUCqKJd8Kii1HjJ_hvGjj7CF6iaadqwyGa7awJrJCC6Zj9FfWhyfM1St4g]ralloway@h...[/url
    Sent: 08 March 2001 16:51
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?



    Ah...I wasn't sure what your volume was...for small projects this works
    well [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    -Rich

    On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:

    > Thanks, but I've done that on smaller projects, but the air volume is much
    > higher now - 40 to 100 cfm. Actually, your idea works well for checking
    > suction from free air.
    > There is software available to simulate this effect also, but it's super
    > costly.
    >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: Richard D. Alloway [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=tgU-5ktzHPuThcl7xZ1xJUCqKJd8Kii1HjJ_hvGjj7CF6iaadqwyGa7awJrJCC6Zj9FfWhyfM1St4g]ralloway@h...[/url
    > > Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 11:44 AM
    > > To: Basicstamps Egroup (E-mail)
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > As a newbie, this is the first post I've been able to answer to some
    > > degree [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > > Depending on the rate of air movement, perhaps you could use
    > > large incense
    > > sticks or cones?
    > >
    > > They're cheap, burn a long time, provide quite a bit of
    > > smoke, and make
    > > the room smell pretty! *laugh*
    > >
    > > -Rich
    > >
    > > On Thu, 8 Mar 2001, Chris Loiacono (E-mail) wrote:
    > >
    > > > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    > > heater with a
    > > > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    > > someone for
    > > > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a
    > > visible indicator of
    > > > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    > > heater. I thought
    > > > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    > > tunnell testing.
    > > > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    > > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >




    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 17:24
    >I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
    >stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    >everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator of
    >the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I thought
    >of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell testing.
    >Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?


    http://www.forestry-suppliers.com

    search for smoke:
    > Superior Smoke Generators And Signals
    > White to gray colored smoke. High obscuring power.
    > Applications include emergency signalling, air-flow studies, leak
    > detection, fire-training, photography, and game management.
    > Note: Use with caution.


    -- Tracy
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 17:49
    Would a mass airflow sensor out of a car work?

    You could use dry ice, or rent a smoke machine from a magic / costume shop.

    Original Message


    > Thanks, but I've done that on smaller projects, but the air volume is much
    > higher now - 40 to 100 cfm. Actually, your idea works well for checking
    > suction from free air.
    > There is software available to simulate this effect also, but it's super
    > costly.

    > > Depending on the rate of air movement, perhaps you could use
    > > large incense
    > > sticks or cones?
    > >
    > > They're cheap, burn a long time, provide quite a bit of
    > > smoke, and make
    > > the room smell pretty! *laugh*

    > > > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    > > heater with a
    > > > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    > > someone for
    > > > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a
    > > visible indicator of
    > > > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    > > heater. I thought
    > > > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    > > tunnell testing.
    > > > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 17:51
    Chris-
    Do you need to view the actual path of airflow, or just need assurance that
    air is indeed flowing? If the latter, small bits of crepe paper or yarn will
    "wave in the breeze" quite nicely and indicate direction as well. I've seen
    this technique used in wind tunnels and water channel testing. Perhaps by
    careful placement of a photo interrupter, a signal could be provided to the
    Stamp, to let it know all is well.
    --Stu

    Original Message
    From: Chris Loiacono (E-mail) <chris01@t...>
    To: Basicstamps Egroup (E-mail) <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 10:45 AM
    Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?


    > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
    > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator
    of
    > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I
    thought
    > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell
    testing.
    > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 18:08
    Thanks. I really didn't expect so many responses - now I have choices.
    This is a great group!

    >
    Original Message
    > From: Tracy Allen [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=tdrY6fBuiy3BiRaxrc3Y5sMC_X6QdVR7Bte6amLO0WbhgIJZeqJG_DSPchF_xIRPkGF0p7tdtD9S5zo1SBY]tracy@e...[/url
    > Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2001 12:24 PM
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] smoke anyone?
    >
    >
    > >I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    > heater with a
    > >stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    > someone for
    > >everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a
    > visible indicator of
    > >the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    > heater. I thought
    > >of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    > tunnell testing.
    > >Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
    >
    >
    > http://www.forestry-suppliers.com
    >
    > search for smoke:
    > > Superior Smoke Generators And Signals
    > > White to gray colored smoke. High obscuring power.
    > > Applications include emergency signalling, air-flow studies, leak
    > > detection, fire-training, photography, and game management.
    > > Note: Use with caution.
    >
    >
    > -- Tracy
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 18:18
    How about a dehumidifier? Produces water vapor smoke but no mess. You
    can buy them cheap, I got mine at goodwill..


    Leroy

    I make single to three phase converters. See:

    [url=Http://home.fuse.net/leroy/phase.htm]Http://home.fuse.net/leroy/phase.htm[/url]

    or

    http://home.fuse.net/leroy/resume.htm
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 18:34
    Instead of seeing actual air and/or smoke, how about seeing the
    effects? What I mean is maybe to use small plastic strips or ribbons
    that will indicate the direction and velocity(somewhat) of the air?

    Just a thought,
    Bandit




    >> I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
    >> stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    >> everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator of
    >> the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I
    thought
    >> of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell testing.
    >> Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 18:36
    How about sensing the position of a spring-loaded flap? You could calibrate
    it by hanging it out the car window.

    ...Or a small hobby propeller connected to a small motor -- max flow = max
    voltage generated by motor.

    Original Message

    > Instead of seeing actual air and/or smoke, how about seeing the
    > effects? What I mean is maybe to use small plastic strips or ribbons
    > that will indicate the direction and velocity(somewhat) of the air?

    > >> I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with
    a
    > >> stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    > >> everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible
    indicator of
    > >> the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I
    > thought
    > >> of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell
    testing.
    > >> Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 20:02
    Instead of seeing actual air and/or smoke, how about seeing the
    effects? What I mean is maybe to use small plastic strips or ribbons
    that will indicate the direction and velocity(somewhat) of the air?

    Just a thought,
    Bandit




    >> I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater with a
    >> stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone for
    >> everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible indicator of
    >> the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I
    thought
    >> of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell testing.
    >> Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 20:09
    Another, more pleasant method, would be incense.

    D.S.

    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > From: "Dr. Peter Charles" <pcharles@m...>
    > Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 19:45:00 -0500
    > Reply-to: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: smoke anyone?

    > I know this is probably a violation of my employer's "smoke-free workplace"
    > policy but...a good source of small volumes of smoke that can be easily
    > localized is a cigarette. I have used them to verify that fume hoods and
    > biological safety cabinets are functioning properly. It helps that I am a
    > smoker, and tend to have them handy [noparse];)[/noparse]
    >
    > Peter C. Charles, Ph.D.
    > Research Assistant Professor
    > Department of Microbiology and Immunology
    > Rm. 730 Mary Ellen Jones Building, CB# 7290
    > UNC
    > Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7290
    > Phone: 919.966.4026
    > Fax: 919.962.8103
    > Homepage: http://www.med.unc.edu/~pcharles/
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-08 21:03
    There are somke cookies sold for theatrical productions, blue, red
    all kinds of neat colors. Theatrical shops shold have something.
    You can even cut them into smaller pieces for less smoke or shorter
    tests.

    Forget CO2, or dry ice, it'll dissapate when it moves fast unless
    you're only blowing the 'fog'


    Dave

    --- In basicstamps@y..., Sample Bandit <tesla@i...> wrote:
    >
    > Instead of seeing actual air and/or smoke, how about seeing the
    > effects? What I mean is maybe to use small plastic strips or ribbons
    > that will indicate the direction and velocity(somewhat) of the air?
    >
    > Just a thought,
    > Bandit
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > >> I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air
    heater with a
    > >> stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have
    someone for
    > >> everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible
    indicator of
    > >> the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the
    heater. I
    > thought
    > >> of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind
    tunnell testing.
    > >> Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-09 00:45
    I know this is probably a violation of my employer's "smoke-free workplace"
    policy but...a good source of small volumes of smoke that can be easily
    localized is a cigarette. I have used them to verify that fume hoods and
    biological safety cabinets are functioning properly. It helps that I am a
    smoker, and tend to have them handy [noparse];)[/noparse]

    Peter C. Charles, Ph.D.
    Research Assistant Professor
    Department of Microbiology and Immunology
    Rm. 730 Mary Ellen Jones Building, CB# 7290
    UNC
    Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7290
    Phone: 919.966.4026
    Fax: 919.962.8103
    Homepage: http://www.med.unc.edu/~pcharles/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2001-03-09 00:50
    Have you considered model railroad smoke?

    A Stumpf



    --- In basicstamps@y..., "Chris Loiacono (E-mail)" <chris01@t...>
    wrote:
    > I'm working on a little project that controls a finned air heater
    with a
    > stamp. My need is a little OT, but this group seems to have someone
    for
    > everything. I want to blow air across my heater with a visible
    indicator of
    > the airflow - so I can maximize the amount of air over the heater. I
    thought
    > of making some colored smoke in the way it's done for wind tunnell
    testing.
    > Does anyone know how to safely generate this kind of smoke?
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