Annie Smoke Generator Measurements

[philkeys]

I had never really determined how well the smoke generator on my Annie worked so today I hooked up my variable voltage power supply and two Fluke multimeters and ran it at various voltages.

Here is what I measured:

   V   mA   
    9     92
   10   103
   11   114
   12   123
   13   134
   14   143
   15   155
   16   160

The corresponding power usage ranges from 0.8 to 2.8 Watts.  The resistance of the smoke generator is about 98 Ω.

Bachmann recommends 16 V as the maximum voltage.

The smoke was observed in a room of still air against a dark background.  From 9 to 10 volts there was very light smoke and some pops.  From 11 to 13 volts there was continuous light smoke.  From 13 to 16 volts there was a thicker and a more vigorous stream of smoke.  There never was a heavy boiling plume of smoke. 

Ten drops of Bachmann smoke fluid lasted about five minutes at 16 volts.