FurkaSOCal
Registered
When reading different pulsed smoke generator manuals they all say to buy their own manufacturer specific smoke fluid to avoid damage. Is there any validity to this?
Is smoke fluid interchangeable?
- Thread starter FurkaSOCal
- Start date
Weeeelllllllllllllllll...................
A little like a printer manufacturer, saying use OEM ink or toner..
Or a car manufacturer saying use their own-brand oil etc.
If you stick with well-known brands, you will be fine..
If you 'roll your own', you will also (most likely) be fine.
But if you have a super-duper smoker, which cost you an arm and a leg, is it worth saving a few coppers over the 'correct' fluid?
You have to make the decision, and see what (if any) residue you get from your choice..
Personally, I roll my own, but tend to start the mix with a full-bottle of Massoth fluid. - This in a litre bottle, topped-up with 'mix'.
A little like a printer manufacturer, saying use OEM ink or toner..
Or a car manufacturer saying use their own-brand oil etc.
If you stick with well-known brands, you will be fine..
If you 'roll your own', you will also (most likely) be fine.
But if you have a super-duper smoker, which cost you an arm and a leg, is it worth saving a few coppers over the 'correct' fluid?
You have to make the decision, and see what (if any) residue you get from your choice..
Personally, I roll my own, but tend to start the mix with a full-bottle of Massoth fluid. - This in a litre bottle, topped-up with 'mix'.
voodoopenguin
Retired
My earliest smokers were Tri-ang locos in the 1960s. A popular alternative to the Tri-ang fluid was Johnsons Baby Oil. The smell was pleasant but not very authentic.
Paul
Paul
Fred Mills
Registered
Don't breath the fumes produced by those smoke units. They basically act like the latest craze "Vaping"...NOT GOOD FOR YOUR LUNGS...of course if you smoke or Vape, you know what's best for you, and nothing will prove you wrong...too bad...breathing as clean air as possible is what we all need for a healthy life
Greg Elmassian
Guest
Some smoke fluids do not vaporize as cleanly as others, and also using tiki torch fuel can gum up the fiberglas wicks in most units.
Basically most seem similar... some people have tested various fluids but more for smoke volume, not long term studies on damage. I've found that the wicks eventually kind of scorch and lose their capillary action and need replacement no matter what fluid. I had the best results with the mega smoke and the original Aristo stuff.
Greg
Basically most seem similar... some people have tested various fluids but more for smoke volume, not long term studies on damage. I've found that the wicks eventually kind of scorch and lose their capillary action and need replacement no matter what fluid. I had the best results with the mega smoke and the original Aristo stuff.
Greg
FurkaSOCal
Registered
Great info thanks, and since we are all here talking about some units. I just got one from ESU and it seems like there is a fair amount of smoke fluid that leaks out of the fan primarily I think when the unit is not level. I'm assuming this is normal?
The unit should not 'leak' really..
Many smoke units are not sealed to the smoke-stack, and any fluid that dribbles down the inside of the stack can miss the opening to the reservoir in the unit.
Loco's with fluid in, being tipped on their side when boxed/stored, does not help.
PhilP.
Many smoke units are not sealed to the smoke-stack, and any fluid that dribbles down the inside of the stack can miss the opening to the reservoir in the unit.
Loco's with fluid in, being tipped on their side when boxed/stored, does not help.
PhilP.
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Peanut oil is made from peanuts, olive oil is made from olives, etc.... so how many babies do you have to press to get a bottle of baby oil....?
Jon.
Zerogee
Clencher's Bogleman
Yep, I have a Saxon IVk (the Rugen-marked version) with a retro-fitted (not by me) pulsed smoker - thought it would have a pipe from the smoker to the stack, but it didn't - once turned it over to do something to it, forgetting there was still some fluid in the smoker! Took ages to fully evaporate away, though thankfully it didn't appear to do any damage to any of the internals.
Jon.
voodoopenguin
Retired
Peanut oil is made from peanuts, olive oil is made from olives, etc.... so how many babies do you have to press to get a bottle of baby oil....?
Jon.
FurkaSOCal
Registered
It seems like less might be more when it comes to filling the smoke units. My layout has some fairly steep grades and I noticed again that there is definitely some seepage of fluid out of the cracks on the bottom of the unit. I'm not sure if I'm over filling it, I've never put more than 5ml in there (which is the max per the manual). It seems like inside the plastic housing there is just a wick, some sort of heating element, the fan, and of course the circuit board. It's not like there is a little tank that holds the fluid. So is the objective to get all the fluid to be absorbed by the wick?
Greg Elmassian
Guest
There is a 5 ml reservoir. The wick is in the reservoir and it brings the fluid to a heating element.
the wick sits in the bottom of the reservoir.
Greg
the wick sits in the bottom of the reservoir.
Greg