Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:42:17 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
From: Joe Dunfee <joe-AT-dunfee.com>
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Foot pedal flash?


Stop the presses! (or perhaps the ink jets now days)

I was Googling for smoke generators and came across a new category of 
products.  Electric cigarettes (also called "E-cigs" or "Electronic 
Cigarettes").  These are battery operated smoke generators in the 
shape of a standard cigarette.  As the user sucks air out of it, the 
automatically turns on and an atomizer heats a fluid, and delivers a 
flavored "smoke".  Of course, nicotine is unusually included in the 
liquid, but it can be omitted.  The function is like a standard 
theatrical fog  machine.  There are plenty of videos about them on YouTube.

The standard models range from $50 to $150, but there are also 
disposable ones without rechargeable batteries for about $15.

It should be an easy hack to convert one into a tiny smoke machine, 
triggered by the user stepping on a bulb connected to the e-cig by a 
small hose. Also, there are battery operated fish tank aerators, 
which may be good for making the device fully electrical.  Also, most 
e-cigs turn on a light when they are active.  It won't be a trivail 
hack, but it should be viable to take this voltage and use it to 
trigger a flashing strobe. I have read a bit about the e-cigs this 
evening, and the quantity of smoke does vary, so it may pay to do 
some research first.


Joe Dunfee  joe-AT-dunfee.com
Gordonville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. 

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