One of the important components of a smokehouse is a compressor for a smoke generator. You can buy these installations in a ready-made form in the store. They are usually intended to serve the aquarium economy. But such compressors are either too low power, or rather high cost. Choosing the right model for the smokehouse is quite difficult.
The output will be the independent manufacture of the compressor. For this, there is no need to purchase any complex tools and materials. Enough will be those that you can find in your own arsenal. You can adapt a variety of containers under the smoking cabinet, usually they are instrumental and weapon safes, furniture wall cases or old refrigerators.
Making a compressor out of a cooler
The smoke generator includes a fan unit, structurally it is not too complicated. Its appearance, of course, may not be very presentable, but in terms of functionality it outperforms most factory structures. The compressor for the smoke generator must comply with some characteristics, among them should be highlighted:
- low power consumption;
- low cost;
- accessibility of components;
- the possibility of long work;
- maintainability;
- availability of performance adjustment.
The compressor must be able to operate up to 8 hours in a certain mode. Under such quality requirements, it may not be possible to produce a good compressor of the required capacity. However, it is not. If you have at least minimal skills in working with a tool and have knowledge of the basics of electrical engineering, then you can create a fan unit for a smoke generator in a few hours.
Preparation of materials
If you decide to make a compressor for a smoke generator, then you should prepare some materials, among them it is worth highlighting:
- computer cooler;
- water fittings and tees;
- a piece of metal or polypropylene tube;
- bolts
- plastic canister;
- variable resistance resistor.
When preparing the canister, you can take the one in which the oil, building fluids, coolants or other mixtures were stored. The main thing is that the tank capacity is approximately 10 liters. The tube can be made of the following materials:
- stainless steel;
- aluminum;
- copper.
The main thing is that the diameter of the tubes is 25 mm, and their length can vary from 20 to 25 cm. When preparing the bolts, it is necessary to choose those whose diameter is equal to the limit of 2 to 3 mm. The compressor for the smoke generator is also made using some tools, namely:
- jigsaw;
- screwdrivers;
- soldering iron;
- gas key from a drill.
Routing
In order to develop a sequence of operations, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of the compressor. Its main task is to create a stream of low pressure air, which is able to form an injection effect. Such a flow will be effective as much as the volume of the combustion chamber of the generator. If it does not exceed 3 liters, then a productivity of 2 m 3 / min will be sufficient. Such work will be able to provide a fan with power ranging from 100 to 300 watts.
If the camera will have a more impressive volume, then the fan should also be used more powerful. The standard dimensions of axial coolers are equal to the limit from 40x40 to 120x120 mm. For a smoke generator that will work with high efficiency, it is necessary to prefer a fan of maximum size. The need for electricity for such a device will be insignificant, but the performance will be sufficient.
Specialist recommendations
When a compressor is made for a smokehouse smoke generator, you must consider that axial-type fans in the housing are suitable for the unit. Radial will not be so productive, and their installation will be inconvenient. The fan must be located in the slot of the canister, which must correspond to the size of the housing. Fastening is carried out by bolts.
The connection should be as tight as possible and strong. This will eliminate unwanted vibrations. The fan can be installed on any side of the canister, but it is better to do it on one of the narrow. In this case, stability will be reduced, but strength will be higher, and noise will be reduced. The canister is needed to equalize the flow pressure, in addition, it acts as a receiver. The output stream will be quite stable.
Methodology
If you decide to make a smoke generator compressor, then the outlet pipe must be placed in the neck. The main requirement is that the pipe must be sealed to prevent air leakage past the hose. Sometimes the duct is rigid, it is mated to the generator housing with a threaded connection. A similar solution is relevant for high power structures.
How to avoid mistakes
If during the tests you did not achieve the desired compressor performance, you can supplement it with another fan, replacing the existing one with a more powerful one. An alternative solution is to replace the canister with a large-capacity container. If you still do not know which compressor for a smoke generator to choose or make, you should know that the speed and power of the device will be regulated by a variable resistance resistor. It is included in the fan power system. Its installation will not be accompanied by difficulties.
Some fan models operate in fixed modes controlled by pulse width modulation system. On transistors, assembling a circuit is quite simple if you have the skills to work with a soldering iron. But for a cold smoked home smokehouse, a conventional resistor will suffice.
Specialist advice
For you, as for some homemasters, the idea of using a portable pump used to inflate tents, boats and mattresses may seem tempting. Specialists dissuade from this plan. This is due to the fact that such devices have a fairly high power. As a result of the work, the chips or chips will burn through pretty quickly. Among other things, such a pump is not designed for continuous operation.
Alternative solutions
How to make a compressor from a cooler for a smoke generator, you could find out if you read the information above. However, before starting work, it is necessary to study the device in more detail. For example, you should know that a compressor is a device for compressing and moving air, steam or gas. And the importance of this device in the smokehouse is due to the fact that the pressure of the smoke and the quality of the delicacies will depend on the adjustment of the air supply.
Sawdust consumption is related to the size of the smokehouse and the capacity of the compressor. An aquarium compressor with a power of 5 watts can act as an alternative solution. Advanced home inventors, however, quite often use 12-watt automotive devices. But they heat up quite quickly and suggest the need for a rectifier.
If you decide to make a compressor for the smoke generator with your own hands, then you can also prefer the apparatus from the old refrigerator. The simplest solution is to purchase a ready-made compressor that will be used to refine the smoke generator. For some, the price may seem quite high, but you can buy a design that works from 220 V at 9 l / min for 1,500 rubles.
Conclusion
If you decide to make a compressor for a cold smoked smoke generator, then you must also observe safety measures. To anticipate structural malfunctions, it is necessary to equip it with an automatic shutdown system. Fragile parts and wires must be protected from overheating and moisture. To do this, they are placed at some distance from the heating rod.