Want to own a cheap smoke machine?

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

I have always wanted a smoke machine to test for vacuum leaks, but the $600 plus price tag has turn me away from doing so.

So, I get this idea, to try and make my own; well...

I purchased a fog machine from Guitar Center; they priced matched it to Amazon for $26.85, versus their $40 price tag. It even comes with a remote!!! How cool is that?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=fog+machine&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=2103505502079266362&ei=11VUTYfJIIK88gbm4MXfCA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CH8Q8wIwAQ#

Very little fabrication was needed. First I took the cover off and removed the heat shield around the sprayer, then I added some 1/8 pipe; this is needed to dissipate some of the heat "it's gets rather hot."

The fog machine puts out a good amount of smoke, but the not enough pressure, so I crudely added a source of regulated compressed air. 20psi seems to do the trick "for now."

Anyway here is a pic of what I have done so far. Tonight I am going to Home Depot for some fittings in hopes to have a finished product.

I will try and post a video and some updated pics then. I may even have a Blazer come in tonight with a suspected vacuum leak.

UPDATE: Here is what I have so far...

Parts list:

American DJ Fog Machine - $26.85
1/8 union - $1.75
1/8 4" tube - $5.21
1/8 - 1/4 coupler - $1.60
1/4 tee fitting - $2.49
1/4 fitting - $1.45
1/4 ball valve - $8.49
4" cap X2 - $00.36 each
3" cap X2 - $00.30 each
2" cap X2 - $00.25 each

The regulator, quick connect fitting, and hose I already had.

My total investment - $49.66 + 7% tax.

I do plan on purchasing a clear type hose in the near future. And, a paint job also; I can't stand the American DJ logo. LOL

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

Also any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure if this work for EVAP though.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6IbQgIXobbQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

VIDEO LINK:

mrholeshot · Feb 10, 2011

Very cool!

peter_x · Feb 10, 2011

Isn't the pressurized air going to go back to the machine as well?

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

peter_x said:
Isn't the pressurized air going to go back to the machine as well?

No, it does not appear so. I was concerned about that too. But, the unit also uses a small compressor, I just open my regulator up after I turn the machine on, and it blows a nice steady stream of smoke.

Maybe I will angle the air fitting to point outwards.

mrholeshot · Feb 10, 2011

peter_x said:
Isn't the pressurized air going to go back to the machine as well?

You can put a siphon feed blow gun in the line so it pulls in the smoke and puts it in under pressure

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

mrholeshot said:
You can put a siphon feed blow gun in the line so it pulls in the smoke and puts it in under pressure

Thats a good idea, I may have to steal that from you. Awesome tip.

scott37300 · Feb 10, 2011

That is really great John! They make brass wye fittings if that would work for you.

I love cheap homemade tools like this. Any way you could make a video using it? That would be awesome!

Thanks for sharing your creativity.

bmxr4life87 · Feb 10, 2011

What's the source of the smoke from the machine?

CoreyVanDine · Feb 10, 2011

Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

bchee · Feb 10, 2011

How about a strobe light and a video of your girlfriend walking out from the fog?
That would be awesome.

Techniker · Feb 10, 2011

Keep it up! This is exactly what I want to see! I plan on building one right after you get this working.

Had a car come in this past weekend with a surging idle. Throws a lean code. Drive car around and it's a smooth ride, only starts gasping on idle- indicative of a vacuum leak (among other things). Long story short, it took me nearly 3 hours to find the vacuum leak. This tool would have made short work of that.

-Techniker

A_Pmech · Feb 10, 2011

Looking forward to more photos of this. Sounds like a great idea!

:beer:

fflintstone · Feb 10, 2011

Before the housing collapse I did home inspections on the side. I used to buy aerosol smoke for about $8 a can.

Uncle Ben · Feb 10, 2011

Can't wait to see how this turns out. I have thought of the same thing before since I started seeing youtube videos with the pro smoke machines, and I couldn't help but think there would be a cheaper way to make one. Looking forward to seeing a video on it if you get the chance to test it out! Thanks for sharing!

Stick · Feb 10, 2011

MechanicNamedJohn said:
The fog machine puts out a good amount of smoke, but the not enough pressure, so I crudely added a source of regulated compressed air. 20psi seems to do the trick "for now."

Just be damn careful what you hook it up to. Most smoke machines are regulated at under 1psi, and it's not always just for EVAP. Chances are that you don't need the pressure, you just need the additional volume from the air source.

hydramatic · Feb 10, 2011

use baby oil for the smoke generator...

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

Video link is on post #2.

It appears to work... I used an upper plenum for the test. I used cardboard as gaskets, and I left the lower portion finger tight and missing a few bolts purposely to create a leak.

So far it works, but the true test will hopefully come tomorrow.

I will keep updating this thread until I am satisfied with the units performance.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

bmxr4life87 said:
What's the source of the smoke from the machine?

It's called Fog Juice; came with the machine.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

bchee said:
How about a strobe light and a video of your girlfriend walking out from the fog?
That would be awesome.

LOL, I'll try and talk her into it.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

Stick said:
Just be damn careful what you hook it up to. Most smoke machines are regulated at under 1psi, and it's not always just for EVAP. Chances are that you don't need the pressure, you just need the additional volume from the air source.

You are correct... I set the regulator at 20psi, when I open the valve I am under 1psi, the volume just helps push it through.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

hydramatic said:
use baby oil for the smoke generator...

I did read that some where, I am curious if it will produce more smoke? Have you done this before? Is it safe?

I will be trying UV additives also in the future.

mossyboy6 · Feb 10, 2011

hell it dropped in price on amazon to 17 bucks, ill have to order one tomorrow if this works for you.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

mossyboy6 said:
hell it dropped in price on amazon to 17 bucks, ill have to order one tomorrow if this works for you.

You have to include the shipping cost.

If anyone wants to try this also, I would love to share ideas and results.

Just be aware this may not be entirely safe for engines. Though I think we will be OK. A small amount of condensation may appear, but seriously doubt it's enough to hydro-lock an engine.

Stick · Feb 10, 2011

MechanicNamedJohn said:
I did read that some where, I am curious if it will produce more smoke? Have you done this before? Is it safe?

I will be trying UV additives also in the future.

Most "Fog machine" smoke is glycol based, most smoke machine oil is mineral oil based. You just need to figure out what type of base your machine uses.

Mineral oil is safe enough, lots of smoke machines like the Redline Pro use it everyday.

mossyboy6 · Feb 10, 2011

MechanicNamedJohn said:
You have to include the shipping cost.

amazon prime :thumbup:

Techniker · Feb 10, 2011

MechanicNamedJohn said:
I did read that some where, I am curious if it will produce more smoke? Have you done this before? Is it safe?

I will be trying UV additives also in the future.

That is what is hanging me up on this project here. It claims the "fog juice" is water-based which would mean it's certainly not using mineral oil. Unfortunately, mineral oil is much much cheaper (and in general produces better smoke). The fact that this machine has a warm up time though, makes it seem like you could get away with using mineral oil since this is how mineral oil machines work as well (with a heating element) as opposed to the piezoelectric oscillation normally seen with aqueous-based fog machines. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

Techniker said:
That is what is hanging me up on this project here. It claims the "fog juice" is water-based which would mean it's certainly not using mineral oil. Unfortunately, mineral oil is much much cheaper (and in general produces better smoke). The fact that this machine has a warm up time though, makes it seem like you could get away with using mineral oil since this is how mineral oil machines work as well (with a heating element) as opposed to the piezoelectric oscillation normally seen with aqueous-based fog machines. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I will certainly try it in the near future. If it will produce a dense fog/smoke that would make me happy.

I may just purchase some of the name brand smoke machine fluid; like Snap On's. Does anyone know what "base" their brand is?

Stick · Feb 10, 2011

MechanicNamedJohn said:
I will certainly try it in the near future. If it will produce a dense fog/smoke that would make me happy.

I may just purchase some of the name brand smoke machine fluid; like Snap On's. Does anyone know what "base" their brand is?

MSDS for Snap-on Smoke Machine Solution, it's a mineral oil base.

BQuicksilver · Feb 10, 2011

Great work, please keep us updated. If you keep developing it I may just want to buy from you...

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

BQuicksilver said:
Great work, please keep us updated. If you keep developing it I may just want to buy from you...

No need to buy mine... It is very easy to convert, anyone should be able to purchase all the items and have it fully functional in less than 30 mins.

Griff93 · Feb 10, 2011

I've wonder if those would work for that purpose. I may have to try it myself now. I used to use a Red Line Pro all the time but I don't work for that shop anymore.

mrb · Feb 10, 2011

fog juice is primarily polypropylene glycol, with some glycerin and distilled water. it is not compatible with machines that use mineral oil, and machines that use fog juice cannot use mineral oil. wrong fluid and youre buying a new machine.

srmofo · Feb 10, 2011

We always used glycerin and water in our smoke machines.

As far as a tester, ours is a mineral base and in the 3 or 4 years it has not needed to be refilled yet.

Id be real careful hooking up to a evap system with that.

MechanicNamedJohn · Feb 10, 2011

srmofo said:
Id be real careful hooking up to a evap system with that.

Yeah I know, I think I will use this only for vacuum leaks.

tonydanzah · Feb 10, 2011

lots good so far

ngk22r · Feb 11, 2011

This should be marked as a great DIY thread right here!!! Great job on the build!

Painter123 · Feb 11, 2011

Polypropylene glycol or vegatable glycol are the main ingredient in Electronic cigarette liquid

You can buy polypropylene glycol or vegatable glycol from most Electronic cigarette web sites now

They sell it in bulk for making your own flavor and strength liquids

NismoPlsr · Feb 11, 2011

Painter123 said:
Polypropylene glycol or vegatable glycol are the main ingredient in Electronic cigarette liquid

You can buy polypropylene glycol or vegatable glycol from most Electronic cigarette web sites now

They sell it in bulk for making your own flavor and strength liquids

It is Propylene Glycol (PG) and [Vegetable]Glycerin (VG). Both can be bought cheaper at your local pharmacy than from ecig websites. The glycerin can be found on the shelves and it might not be labeled as vegetable but most likely is. You can ask the pharmacist to order you some PG if they don't have any in stock. They use it for mixing compounds. Or you can get it in gallon sized containers from a Tractor supply or other similar feed/livestock related supply stores.

tonydanzah · Feb 13, 2011

any updates?

Want to own a cheap smoke machine?

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