Content
- 1 What is Varomor smoke cannon
- 2 How the smoke cannon works
- 3 How to make a smoke cannon Varomor with your own hands
- 4 Instructions for using the Varomor smoke cannon
- 5 Causes of malfunction of the Varomor smoke cannon and the possibility of their elimination
- 6 Safety precautions when working with the device
- 7 Conclusion
A do-it-yourself smoke cannon for processing bees is assembled from a gas canister and several car parts. The device "Varomor" helps the beekeeper to fumigate the hives, to carry out medical procedures for the bees. If you can't assemble a smoke cannon yourself, you can always find the product in a beekeeping store.
What is Varomor smoke cannon
According to the instructions in beekeeping, a smoke cannon is used to fumigate hives from a tick. The device "Varomor" is equipped with a container where the drug is filled. During heating, the evaporation of the solution is irritating to the bees. Insects in the stage of aggression accelerate movement, which is why the ticks are independently boiled from their body.
How the smoke cannon works
Before you understand the principle of operation, you need to study the device "Varomor". The smoke cannon consists of the following units:
- container for pouring the healing solution;
- container lid;
- pump for pumping a medicinal solution;
- pump control handle;
- adjusting screw for liquid dosage;
- filtering unit of the medicinal solution;
- gas-filled cylinder;
- balloon fixation ring;
- gas supply and regulation valve;
- burner;
- nozzle;
- ignition trigger, which actuates the piezoelectric element.
Weight "Varomor" is about 2 kg. Dimensions: length - 470 mm, height - 300 mm, width - 150 mm. The performance of a properly configured device reaches 100 hives in 2-3 hours. The probability of killing ticks is 99% on average.
The smoke cannon has undergone modernization throughout its existence. Improvement of the "Varomor" device helped to achieve stable operation, economical gas consumption, and improved evaporation of the medicinal solution.
The work of "Varomor" resembles a mixture of a spray gun with a blowtorch:
- the tank is filled with a medicinal solution;
- by turning to the left, open the gas valve;
- when the trigger of the smoke cannon is pressed, gas enters the burner, and at the same time the piezoelectric element emits a spark;
- after the appearance of the flame, the burner is allowed to warm up for 1-2 minutes;
- the valve is used to regulate the flame, which should not fly out of the smoke-gun burner;
- the supply of the medicinal solution is started by smoothly releasing the drive handle pulled out to the stop;
- the dispenser delivers about 1 cm to the red-hot burner "Varomora"3 medicinal solution;
- on contact with hot metal, the liquid turns into steam and exits through the nozzle.
Having adjusted the optimal vaporization, the smoke-gun nozzle is introduced into the hive entrance to a depth of 3 cm. Depending on the drug used, 2-5 puffs of steam are served to the bees.
How to make a smoke cannon Varomor with your own hands
If there are a couple of suitable car parts at home, the do-it-yourself smoke cannon is assembled in the form of a nozzle on a gas canister. Difficulties may arise due to the need for turning work.
In the video, a smoke cannon for bees:
Collection and preparation of component parts
A homemade smoke cannon is assembled for processing bees from the following elements:
- sturdy plastic container with a sealed lid for medicinal solution;
- homemade or factory gas heater;
- car parts (fuel pump, brake pipe, spark arrestor casing);
- nozzles, a set of hardware;
- gas canister.
Some of the parts can be found in the garage or bought in the store. Turners will have to be consulted to adjust the smoke gun parts and thread the threads.
Diy drawing for collecting the Varomor smoke cannon
A good smoke cannon for bees is assembled with an "Atex" burner. The element is easily attached and removed due to the clamping screws. To disconnect the burner, loosen the bolt on the flange and tank. The element is rotated 90about, after which it is easily detached.
The coil is bent from a copper tube with a diameter of 6 mm. The thickness of its walls is at least 3 mm. The inner diameter of the tube is also 3 mm. Due to the thick walls of heat-absorbing metal, the smoke-gun coil heats up quickly, but cools down longer.
The optimal dimensions of a homemade burner are 70x35 mm. The outer casing is bent out of a stainless steel sheet. On the flange and burner plug, a rim of about 5 mm is provided for the convenience of assembling the structure. After connecting the parts, holes are drilled in the casing with a diameter and a pitch of 6 mm from each other. A handle is welded to the flange. The other end of the copper tube is arbitrarily clamped to the gas cylinder with a clamp. The spray nozzle is made with a diameter of 15 mm. The part is turned on a lathe or the nozzle is removed from a household gas stove.
Assembling a smoke cannon to handle bees
It is assembled according to the instructions of the smoke cannon for processing bees in the following order:
- Connect the gas cylinder to the burner. Threads are cut on a copper tube, fittings are screwed on. FUM threaded connection is sealed with tape.
- The tube is formed into a spiral of five turns. The outer diameter of the workpiece is 10 mm less than the thickness of the spark arrestor bulb. The spiral is placed inside the cola towards the end for better heating. A nozzle from a household gas stove is screwed onto the end of the tube.
- The spark arrestor flask is perforated. A strip with a hole is welded in front to secure the copper tube. A coupling is attached to the back of the flask for connection to the burner. After assembly, the edge of the burner must extend 10 mm beyond the flange. The workpieces are connected by welding. You can drill holes on the flange and tighten with bolts.
- Install a plastic container for the solution. A flask from a spray gun with a capacity of 200 mm is suitable.
After assembling all the elements, the solution supply is calibrated with a fuel pump. A hole is drilled in the center of the foot, a screw is inserted. A solution is injected into the nozzle, the feed is adjusted to 1 cm3 liquids.
In the video, the principle of assembling "Varomor":
Instructions for using the Varomor smoke cannon
In the store-bought smoke cannon "Varomor", the instruction clearly displays the rules of application when fumigating a family of bees. The assembly is carried out on the street, since the product provides for the use of a gas cylinder. The process involves a number of steps:
- slowly unscrew the pressure ring at the gas cartridge;
- the gas valve is scrolled to the right;
- the cylinder is inserted with the working side into the connecting saddle of the burner;
- the clamping ring is tightened along the thread until the needle pierces the clogged mouth of the can.
If Varomor is free from defects, gas leakage will not occur. After fumigating the bees, the used balloon is sent for disposal. You cannot refuel it. For the next fumigation of the bees for the smoke cannon, they buy a new cylinder.
How to prepare solutions for a smoke cannon
Prepare according to the instructions a solution for the smoke gun "Varomor" from drugs and solvents.
Solution for bees No. 1
Ethyl alcohol with oxalic acid is heated to 50 aboutC. It is optimal to give preference to a water bath. After dissolving the dry matter, thymol is added.The proportions are taken in a ratio of 100 ml: 15 g: 15 g, respectively.
Solution for bees No. 2
The second solution for a smoke gun involves mixing purified kerosene with a drug: "Bipin", "Tactic". The finished liquid should turn white. The proportions are taken in a ratio of 100 ml: 5 g, respectively.
Solution for bees No. 3
The drug "Tau-fluvanilate" is added to the water, heated to a temperature of 50 aboutC. Optimally use a water bath. The drug should be completely dissolved. The proportions are taken in a ratio of 100 ml to 5 ml, respectively.
The bee solution prepared according to any recipe is filtered so that the remaining crystals do not clog the pump and the channels of the smoke cannon. The liquid is poured into the Varomora tank, and the bees are fumigated.
How to achieve abundant smoke emission from the Varomor smoke cannon
The intensity of the formation of puffs of smoke from Varomor depends on the correct use. Before fumigating bees, the smoke cannon should warm up for at least 2 minutes. When the Varomor burner gets hot, the solution is pumped with the pump handle. One stroke of the handle feeds 1 cm into the system3 liquids. To increase the portion of smoke, again squeeze the handle of the "Voramor" towards itself as far as it will go and feed it forward.
Healing bees with a smoke cannon
The treatment of bees with a smoke cannon occurs in the following sequence:
- Unscrew the filler tank cap on the Varomor. Filtered medical solution for bees is poured over. The cover is returned to its place. Check for fluid leakage.
- By turning the valve handle to the left, open the gas cylinder. By pressing the trigger, the igniter is ignited. The combustion of the smoke cannon is regulated so that the flame does not fly out of the burner.
- "Varomor" is warmed up for at least 2 minutes. With experience, the readiness of a smoke cannon for work is determined intuitively.
- After warming up with the handle of the pump, a treatment solution for bees is pumped into the system. With one stroke of the handle, 1 cm will be fed3 liquids. When thick steam comes out of the nozzle of the smoke gun, they start fumigating the bees.
- The “Varomora” spout is introduced into the hive through the entrance to a depth of 3 cm. When using solution for bees No. 1, 4 to 5 puffs of steam are released. If bee solutions # 2 or # 3 are used, make 1-2 puffs of smoke.
- At the end of the fumigation of the bees, the gas faucet of the smoke cannon is closed.
Bees are fumigated 45 days before the first pumping of honey, and also 7 days after the final pumping season. If there is bee brood in the hive, 4 fumigations are carried out every three days. In autumn, bees are fumigated with a smoke cannon at a temperature of + 2-8 aboutFROM.
Causes of malfunction of the Varomor smoke cannon and the possibility of their elimination
If there is little smoke from the Varomor smoke cannon, then it can be assumed that the pump or feed channels are clogged. Such a breakdown is most often common when an unfiltered bee solution is poured. Silting up with solid sediments occurs when you ignore the flushing of the Varomora system after fumigating the bees.
It is difficult to clean the ducts and pump of the smoke gun. Flushing of the Varomora system with kerosene after each treatment of bees helps prevent breakdowns.
Safety precautions when working with the device
"Varomor" is considered a conditionally dangerous device due to the use of a gas cylinder. However, subject to the rules of operation, the device will not harm the beekeeper and the environment:
- “Varomor” must not be ignited near explosive and flammable substances;
- do not expose the smoke gun to mechanical stress, otherwise gas or medicinal solution will leak due to damage;
- in the process of fumigation, you must not eat, smoke, drink;
- the respiratory organs during the treatment of bees are protected with a respirator;
- store the smoke cannon in the utility room with the gas cylinder removed.
When servicing, the user is allowed to use kerosene for the smoke cannon, to clean the system with it.It is imperative that the dispenser filter is flushed separately. When using solution for bees No. 1, the system is flushed with vinegar, dissolving 1 tbsp. l. acid in 100 ml of pure water. No other disassembly can be carried out. All units of the smoke cannon are sealed. Breaking the seal will lead to bad consequences. Qualified repairs are performed only by service technicians.
Conclusion
A do-it-yourself smoke cannon can be assembled by any turning specialist. However, homemade products do not guarantee safe operation. It is better to purchase "Varomor" from the factory. Smoke cannons are tested and completely safe.
