iwannadie
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gilbert, Az
Has anyone made a smoke machine for tracing vac/exhaust leaks?
I put one together and am pretty happy with it.
I used:
A plastic paint can
Simple air fitting(air in) and barb fitting(air out)
A battery charger harness with eyelets and quick connection(connect it to a charge harness that has clamps).
Tiki torch wicks(used 3 bundled together)
20gauge resistance wire about 20" at 2ohms
Black RTV
Couple screws, washers and nuts
Baby oil
I drilled 2 holes in the lid then used a step bit to get the size hole needed for the air fittings. I used a large washer on each side and RTV to hold them in place and don't see it being a problem at around 2psi.
For the wick I drilled to small holes on oppesite sides of the can and used small screws again with washers and Rtv. I coiled the 20" of wire around the wicks(used zip ties to hold the wicks bundled during that process) and made a loop on each end. Added another nut and wash to the screws to attach the wire.
Soak the wicks with baby oil and I poured some in the bottom of the can too. Set shop air to 2 psi or just super low so I could stop it with my finger attach it to the fitting with the lid Off, then bang the lid on the can. Attaching the air with the lid in place caused some issues(lid popping off) so I figured lid off to start is safer. With the quick connect battery cable, just plug the ends together and it starts to heat up and smoke very fast.
I used it for a good 20 minutes and no issue, the can got warm but nothing I was worried about. I may adjust the length of the wire, I had some scortching on the wicks but that maybe fine/normal. It poured a steady stream of highly visible smoke the entire time. I want to add a propane pressure regulator just so I don't have to mess with my compressor adjustment. Also make it quicker to plug in and use with any compressor.
I'd post pics but don't have anywhere to upload them to.
I put one together and am pretty happy with it.
I used:
A plastic paint can
Simple air fitting(air in) and barb fitting(air out)
A battery charger harness with eyelets and quick connection(connect it to a charge harness that has clamps).
Tiki torch wicks(used 3 bundled together)
20gauge resistance wire about 20" at 2ohms
Black RTV
Couple screws, washers and nuts
Baby oil
I drilled 2 holes in the lid then used a step bit to get the size hole needed for the air fittings. I used a large washer on each side and RTV to hold them in place and don't see it being a problem at around 2psi.
For the wick I drilled to small holes on oppesite sides of the can and used small screws again with washers and Rtv. I coiled the 20" of wire around the wicks(used zip ties to hold the wicks bundled during that process) and made a loop on each end. Added another nut and wash to the screws to attach the wire.
Soak the wicks with baby oil and I poured some in the bottom of the can too. Set shop air to 2 psi or just super low so I could stop it with my finger attach it to the fitting with the lid Off, then bang the lid on the can. Attaching the air with the lid in place caused some issues(lid popping off) so I figured lid off to start is safer. With the quick connect battery cable, just plug the ends together and it starts to heat up and smoke very fast.
I used it for a good 20 minutes and no issue, the can got warm but nothing I was worried about. I may adjust the length of the wire, I had some scortching on the wicks but that maybe fine/normal. It poured a steady stream of highly visible smoke the entire time. I want to add a propane pressure regulator just so I don't have to mess with my compressor adjustment. Also make it quicker to plug in and use with any compressor.
I'd post pics but don't have anywhere to upload them to.
