lwien said:
The PD is history, perhaps to be known during its time on the market as the most popular log vaporizer (Eterra knock-off) with a reputation as a good product.
Maybe it's getting time soon for this thread, entitled "Purple-Days Experience," to be closed. The "Experience" part (Tom) is over! [This is easy for me to say, I've never even seen a PD].
Now we can finally move on to discussion of topics that were previously simply out-of-bounds, heretical. This includes built-in and after-market improvements and innovations. For example:
a) Why not have a threaded pipe end, so the PD can be attached to most anything else threaded (or anything threaded attached to the PD)? Wouldn't it be nice to be able interface with compression or other standard pipe fittings, or be able to screw on a GonG (ground glass fitting) adapter? To be able to use different diameter and types of vapor tubes?
b) heating/vapor tubes - Why be stuck using the same old vapor tubes? Why not different diameters (with the right adapter)? Why not ones that screw together to clamp a screen in place? And how about better screens (e.g., I use 320 mesh stainless steel)?
c) adjustable power supplies - I think PDs want to be free! - Free to run at any temperature within those specified by the manufacturer. For example, why not use a power adapter within the manufacturer-approved range, (e.g., 13-13.5 volt?) with a simple $10 patch-in digital/solid state dimmer switch (12-14 volts used in cars, boats, RVs, for LEDs, etc.), e.g.,
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-...ategory=PCB&Page2Disp=/specs/ldp-2a_specs.htm Even if you are perfectly satisfied with the operating temperature of your PD, wouldn't you or others like the option to go maybe a few, 5-10?F or more hotter or cooler sometimes.
d) screen(s) to protect the heat exchanger - eliminate PD spanking to remove debris.
e) alternatives to adding more retaining rings when the inner assembly starts to loosen from the outer wood - [Do PD users realize that they likely inhale all that missing wood over time?] Why not try injections of a pure silicone or ceramic adhesive, preformed silicone gaskets, etc.?
f) insulation - Does anyone else besides me think it's crazy that most vaporizers simply don't use any insulation? Why not back-fill, slip-in and/or cover the open/inner exposed wood area with an inert ceramic or silicone foam, silica aerogel, etc., which could be considered "safer" than the current hot air flowing over the inner wood surface (which is how it is, as I understand)?
g) improved heater efficiency - Why not add more heat sink mass (for those not concerned with fast heating-up)? How about a larger-sized resistor with more surface area for more efficient heat transfer? From what I've seen the much-hyped 72 fins are passive, i.e., air moves around this stacked assembly rather than air actually passing over and impinging each "fin" (standard stainless steel washer) -- something that should be easy to implement.
h) better use of modern materials and improved safety - Wood has no business in the hot air path of vaporizers! And why not use a PTFE/Teflon, fiber-reinforced silicone, reinforced glass, carbon fiber, ceramic composite or other alternative plate at the top to replace the metal disk that requires retainer rings and obviously conducts too much heat to the wood it touches?
I'm sure other people, actual owners (I'm looking at a long-dead Eterra), can come up with many other potential PD-relevant innovations and improvements. With the experienced PD kit-builders and others out there, maybe there will be PD (and other log vaporizer) modification, upgrade, rebuild, etc. services soon; or maybe the repair service providers will get creative. Although I look forward to next-generation "log" vaporizers.
A voice of reason. Sorry you had to come back to this. Terrible surprise, I would imagine.
