Cigarette smoke / gas detector?

[Patrick Goebel]

OK, this is barely related to robotics but it could be a fun hacking
challenge. I have the need to detect cigarette smoke / odor from an
adjacent balcony and turn on a 120V fan to blow away the odor. I found
two companies that used to sell exactly such a product but neither of
them carry it any more because of low demand.

I think the hardest part is what kind of detector to use? Apparently
both smoke alarms and CO monitors are not sensitive enough.
Furthermore, the human nose/brain seems to be able to detect the odor
very quickly after someone starts smoking, even when there is no visible
smoke. So are there any gas sensors out there that might work? I would
then need to tie it to a relay so it could turn on a 120V fan (rated
around 2A).

Ideas?

Thanks!
patrick

http://www.pirobot.org

[blackstag]

It might be easier to use a distance sensor pointed at the balcony and turn on the fan when they come out.  Will be on more often but much less guessing.

:>

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[Zunaid Vania]

There's a generic "air quality control" sensor here, but I suspect it also may not be sensitive enough for you: http://www.futurlec.com/Gas_Sensors.shtml

[John Brewer]

It looks like commercial cigarette smoke detectors are a thing.  You could kit bash one and use the alarm circuit to trigger a fan.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cigarette+smoke+detector&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 9:54 AM, Patrick Goebel <pat...@pirobot.org> wrote:

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John Brewer

[Patrick Goebel]

Interesting idea. But yeah, too many potential false alarms and the
person doesn't always come all the way onto the balcony to smoke--just
leaves the door open.

[Patrick Goebel]

Thanks for the link!  One of these might be worth a try.

--patrick

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[Patrick Goebel]

Yeah, that's where I started.  The Stealth Smoking Enforcement system seems to be the only one that might still actually exist and they don't post a price list which is never a good sign...I called the supplier for Bosch's unit (Macuro) and it is no longer sold.  Ditto for the Enercorp AQT-2000 Air Quality Monitor.  Just I now found this 3M model but the price tag is bit high at nearly $1,000.  (I was thinking more like $25-$50).

--patrick

[e...@okerson.com]

These seem to be popular in the UK.

http://www.discountfiresupplies.co.uk/category/97/Cigarette-Smoke-Detectors

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cigarette-Smoke-Detector-Remote-Indicator/dp/B008TA2R9A

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIG-ARETE-CONTROL-UNIT-smoking-detector-silent-mode-cigarette-smoke-alarm-/291063940248?pt=UK_Safety_Alarms&hash=item43c4c34498

Ed

> Yeah, that's where I started. The Stealth Smoking Enforcement system
> seems to be the only one that might still actually exist and they don't
> post a price list which is never a good sign...I called the supplier for
> Bosch's unit

> <http://products.boschsecurity.us/en/TAMS/products/bxp/SKU27048605552999497099-CATMac7c7a2ba202bc5f2a022e17585c8920>

> (Macuro) and it is no longer sold. Ditto for the Enercorp AQT-2000 Air
> Quality Monitor. Just I now found this 3M model

> <http://ekoreparts.com/index.php/products/air-quality/wall-co2-sensors/cm6-carbon-monoxide-sensor.html>

> but the price tag is bit high at nearly $1,000. (I was thinking more
> like $25-$50).
>
> --patrick
>
>
> On 05/28/2014 12:38 PM, John Brewer wrote:
>> It looks like commercial cigarette smoke detectors are a thing. You
>> could kit bash one and use the alarm circuit to trigger a fan.
>>
>> https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=cigarette+smoke+detector&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
>>
>>
>

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[Patrick Goebel]

Thanks Ed--these look interesting...