Aircrete Foam Generator Machine DIY [ How To build one that makes Great Foam!
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- This video is about how to build an Aircrete foam generator for a reasonable price. I was able to build this for about $85 because I got the diaphragm pump on Ebay used and had the air regulator sitting in my garage from another project. Let me know in the comments section if you have any questions.
I got the foam concentrate from richway.com/co... You will have to call them to order it and it is $50 for a gallon.
Here is a link to the Foam Generator schematic drawing that was in the video. drive.google.c...
Here is a link to my video on how to make the foam wand that goes with this generator. • Aircrete Foam Wand DI...
And here is a link to my How to make Aircrete the right way. • How to Make AIRCRETE T...
And also a link to my homemade cement mixer that I designed specifically for making aircrete. • Homemade DIY 55 Gallon...
Here is a parts list of the items you will need to make this generator. I didn’t use either of these pumps so you may need some clamps or fittings that I didn’t use to make either of these pumps work. I found my pump used on eBay and usually there are used pumps for sale in the $40-$60 range. Hope this helps.
Foam generator links
Pump for generator
www.amazon.com...
Heavier duty pump for larger volume of foam
www.amazon.com...
Air Regulator
www.amazon.com...
110v air solenoid valve
amzn.to/3odt6uI
Push fittings for ½” OD tubing. www.amazon.com...
Y fitting for blending concentrate and air at outlet of foam generator
www.amazon.com...
Brass 90 degree fittings for plumbing up the air regulator
www.amazon.com...
Brass ⅜ npt double female www.amazon.com...
⅜ to ¼ female to male fitting www.amazon.com...
Push fit hose www.amazon.com...
All of these are on amazon but you may be able to find them locally or on eBay for cheaper prices. This is merely to show you what is needed.
Whenever I look at people like you, I say that these are the ones who populate the earth. This is the highest description of man, and it is one of the reasons for the existence of man on this earth. Thank you so much. You didn’t skimp on your information on the followers. you are a wonderful person. I wish you with all my heart happiness in this world and the hereafter.
Hi DH! Thank you so much for your kind comments! You made my whole day! Please let me know if you need any information or help if you build a foam generator. Peace and love to you!🙏😊❤️
Dear @@PranaTech thank you, I will certainly not hesitate to ask you about anything I need because you are a school and I learn from it 🙏🙆❤️
You're the first aircrete builder I've found who is willing to share info instead of selling info. Liked, subbed, bell rang, and I'll be sharing with my family.
Hi Karston! Thanks for the great comment! My goal is to show people how to un-enslave themselves and build their own home for a reasonable price. Not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Glad you found my channel! 😁🙏❤️Don
Thank you very much for explaining how this works. Some UA-cam channels are charging for the information. Good on you for posting this up - Thanks!
Hi Phillip, thank you for the great comment and for subscribing! Wow, I had no idea people were charging for this stuff! My hope is that anyone can build one of these at home and I eventually am going to build my own dome home out of this stuff. I am building an affordable concrete pump that can be built at home and will be used for Aircrete and shotcrete. I’ll post up the how to video for that as well when I’m done. Have fun out there! 👍😀
@@PranaTech It's definitely a cool way of making concrete things without the associated weight. You got my brain gears going for sure - ;o) Good luck with your future projects. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with...
Thanks for the video and the schematic. I used your for the basis of my design with a couple of tweaks. I did not ability to weld up a box, so I just bought a 20" toolbox with metal latches. I also put a "equipment switch" that has the three prong mail adapter. That allows me to remove the cord and store in one of the lid storage areas. I put my suction tube in the other lid storage. The interior tray fits the 13" wand and hose. All in one need box you can carry and store easily.
Hi John, I like the way you think! Using an existing tool box saves a bunch of time an I like the removable cord and storage idea. Thanks!👍😁
@@PranaTech Thanks, did not realize how bad the spelling and grammar was on my post. We are going to make aircrete ICF (much like e-z block for our house build. I would be interested in your pump you mention in the thread if you have moved forward with it.
High John, great to hear from you! Sounds like a great project you have for your home build. You’ll have to do some experiments to see how high you can can stack your block before you do your grout fills on the cells. Aircrete doesn’t have a lot of tensile strength so the side loading that the grout filling will have may necessitate the addition of some fibers into the Aircrete to add some cross sectional strength to your blocks. My large pump is a little delayed right now as I’m in the process of clearing a part of my property to build a bigger shop. The design is exactly the same as my high output foam generator but I used a 1” diaphragm pump for the higher volume of foam production. 😁👍
@prana-tech, thanks so much for your awesome videos🙏 when you say that CLC doesn't have tensile strength, you can solve that by using rebar right? Or adding some fiber to the mix?
Hi Ian, adding some fibers would increase the tensile strength for sure! Rebar would not help because the problem is that there is so much air in the final product that it becomes very brittle and breaks easily.👍
Great information thanks! Just curious about how thick a block can be cast using aircrete before it’s own weight causes the foam to start collapsing. Most demos I’ve seen are only a few inches deep, it’d be handy if thicker forms are possible.
From what I have read, you can go to about 3 feet tall in your mold before the weight is too much for the bubbles. 😊👍
@@PranaTech Cool, thanks for the reply! That’s actually quite a bit more than I expected.
Excellent design which offers full control over the physical properties of aircrete. Thanks for your unique and valuable set of instructions. You are changing the world 😉.
Thank you so much for your very kind comment! I really appreciate it!😊🙏
Have you tried adding liquid Glycerin to your foaming agent to help stabilize the foam bubbles ?
Hi Ray! No not yet. Enough people have asked me now so there must be something to it. I’ll try it when our weather warms up.😊👍
@@PranaTech what ratio should we use for Glycerine to foaming agent?
I just built a foam generator so that I can experiment with making air Crete. I chose to use Ajax dish detergent for the test just because I have it already and on my first test I used 6 ounces of soap to 1 gallon of water and the foam comes out pretty nice but I’m still experimenting. I haven’t tried it yet but I also have been told that adding glycerin to the soap helps with holding the structure of the bubbles. I will do a test
Hi Ben! That’s great! Glad to see others working with this stuff! I haven’t tried the glycerin trick yet but I’ve heard about it. Be curious to see what you find with it.😊👍
@Prana-Tech ok so I picked up some glycerin from Walmart but I’m definitely going to look for a larger amount for a way better price. At 6oz for $5 plus tax is not going to be cost effective. originally I had mixed about 4 ounces of Suave to 1 gallon of water I tried that and I made a really nice foam but then set my timer for one hour just for an example and after one hour my foam had dropped by about 4 inches in the 5 gallon bucket this is without the glycerin! I did a second test with approximately a quart from my one gallon of mix suave daily clarifying shampoo solution I had made but in that quart I added 1 ounce of glycerin and 3 ounces of clear light corn syrup because that is what I found online of how to make homemade bubble solution so I was thinking well if it makes quality bubble solution why wouldn’t it make nice foam. Well I am pretty pleased with the results after one hour and my 5 gallon bucket of foam has not even a drop and inch and it is still level to the top of the 5 gallon bucket but the only thing is and it’s acceptable is that the foam definitely gets more airy ( loser more open bubbles) the longer it sits though it doesn’t lose its height.
Hi Ben! Interesting results! I’ve been experimenting with this stuff for a while now and in my experience the smaller the bubbles the more effective the foam solution will be and the more durable it will be once mixed with the cement. The closer you can get to shaving cream consistency the better. You want a very dense foam with the smallest bubbles. The larger bubbles just pop when mixed with the cement. Hope this helps! 😁👍
Awesome video man!! I’m considering learning how to make aircrete. I’m originally from Liberia, I know aircrete will make a huge difference for builders in my homeland. God bless you
Hi Thomas! Thank you for your kind words my friend! Stay tuned because I have been experimenting for a while now with a chemical induced Aircrete that rises like a loaf of bread. It needs no foam machine and is a much simpler system to produce reliably. It also only needs a cement mixer and the raw materials to produce it. I am in the process of making molds right now and then I will come out with a video showing the process. 😊👍
Question please. I found the pump you used and it is really expensive. Do you know if a pump wirh 45 psi will work out will it have problems at the venturi and back flow.
Hi Surly Dog! You need at least a 60 psi pump for my design to work. I have updated my parts list in the description so there are two pumps on Amazon that are fairly affordable. I purchased mine used on eBay and you can still find them if you search diaphragm pumps on there. 👍😊
How much of that solution is water versus other chemicals (percentage wise)? And how safe are those chemicals to use? Do you need to worry about aircrete off-gassing VOCs?
Hi Braeden, the majority of the solution is Portland cement and water. There is 4 ounces of foaming solution mixed into 6.5 gallons of water. Over the last year I have switched to a company called Vermillion and their foaming solution is completely harmless and non toxic and the best I’ve used to date. Here is a link to their site. vermillionassociates.com/varimax-concentrate.html No VOC’s with this stuff as it is completely non-toxic. 😊👍
You are a good man. Thank you. I wish you success
Thank you my friend! I appreciate your kind comments very much! 🙏😊❤️
So m8, stop saying concrete because its not. Its aircrete, cememt water and foam. Not concrete which is cement water aggregate or stone and sand. Terminology is important. Tks.
Hi Sandii! Traditionally it is as you have described, but the industry calls Aircrete “cellular concrete” so I’m just following industry norms. 😁👍
What did u use the 3/8 to 1/4 female to male fitting listed in parts list for? Tube for want u mentioned is 1/2 inch. Did u use the same tubing for inside the generator?
Hi Alonzo! I believe I used that fitting to reduce the outside push lock fitting to the inside hose transition. I think you could eliminate it if you just use a 3/8 O.D. Barb fitting with a 3/8 npt female on the other end. Yes the inside hose is all 1/2” tubing as well. 😊👍
This video is a real wealth of information on building one of these, thank you very much for taking the time. Really liking all of your uploads.
Thank you Stewart for your kind words! I appreciate it! 🙏😁
I just did a quick calculation, your foam comes at 7 cents per gallon for foaming agent, if that is of interest.
Hi Jan! Thanks for information. I never worked it out but I did know that it is very cheap to make. 👍😊
i have watched dozens and dozens of foam generators but i believe yours is the best. simple and yet very effective. thank you
I have no idea how I missed your nice comment. Thank you so much!😊🙏❤️
Thank you for the details, Where is the air compressor.....
The compressor is in the shop. I just ran the hose out to the foam generator.😊👍
I wanted to understand how do u know how much is the air pressure in the mixture. Or if there is a way to know what's the air to liquid mixture ratio. Of the foam
Hi Noel, I use 55-60 psi of air pressure to make shaving cream consistency foam. The foam consistency is the important part. Once you have your machine dialed in with air pressure making good thick foam, you then can adjust the density of the Aircrete by how much volume of foam you add to your mix. If you watch my other video on how to make Aircrete the right way, it tells you how to measure the density through sampling you Aircrete mix. Here is a link ua-cam.com/video/q5xqT2sFGdI/v-deo.html 😊👍
Thank you for sharing your foam generator! Have you done any tests to see how deep of a pour you can do with the CMX or the Drexel foam? Domegaia (sp?) recommends no greater than 12" while using dish soap to prevent collapse.
Great video! Thank you for sharing your plans and ideas. Question - what type of pump should one look for? Would a self-priming diaphragm pump work? Or are there better terms to search for?
Hi JW! Yes a self priming diaphragm pump is what I used. I have some links in the description for a couple pumps that would work. There are great deals on a regular basis on eBay for high quality diaphragm pumps. You basically need one that will be able to output 60 psi or greater would be even better. Mine has a 90psi capacity and puts out 1.6 liters per minute. I also built a larger version that uses a air powered double diaphragm pump and puts out a lot more foam. You would need a decent size air compressor to run that version though. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. 😁👍
Great info. I really enjoy all of your videos. I am looking forward to going Aircreat and would like a few suggestions. Could you please recommend the formula of Richway foaming solution, water and cement to make a 45 gallon mixture.
Hi Mento! For a 45 gallon mix, I put 4 ounces of Richway concentrate into 5 gallons of water for the foam machine. I then put 6.5 gallons of water into a 55 gallon container I then start to slowly blend a full 94 pound bag of Portland into the water until fully incorporated and smooth. I then fill up the container with foam up to the 45 gallon mark and then slowly blend the foam into the Portland cement mix until just fully blended and then pour into your mold. 😊👍
@@PranaTech Thank you for your timely response. That was very useful information. One more question. In a rough estimate, how much forms can I get from the 45 gallon mixture when the forms are 48 in X 24 in X 4 in?
Hi Mento, the foam gets beaten down a little by mixing into the Portland so depending how much you mix it probably about 1.5 of your forms will be filled because your form is right at 20 gallons. 😊👍
@@PranaTech Thanks you very much. Really appreciate your response. Now I know how much Freeway solution to buy. Thank you lord for this channel.😊
Anytime! Just let me know if you have any other questions. 😊👍
Great video. I have watched some of your other videos too. I am now seriously considering giving this a go in my next build. Would you mind giving me some idea of where economics of making aircrete. How much cement is required per 100 standard size block for example
Good morning! I’ve actually been working on a new method for making Aircrete chemically. This way you need no pump or foaming agent and it just rises like a cake. I’m in the process of making forms for my blocks and I should have a video out soon detailing the process and recipes to do the mix. 😊👍
@@PranaTech That sounds awesome. Can't wait!!
How much PSI are you using max on this system? Thank you 😊
Hi Jim! 60 psi is about the max I ever use. Most of the time I run right at 55-56psi. 😁
I really appreciate your time producing this video, thanks for sharing, one of the best on YT, and the foam results are excellent!
Thank you my friend! 🙏😊
Question, it is possible to increase the flow of the foam? how? a bigger pump with a 2" pipe? TIA! @@PranaTech
Yes, here is a link to my bigger pump build. ua-cam.com/video/L-SAHq9X9QQ/v-deo.html and here is the larger output wand video ua-cam.com/video/UU5USOZL7cQ/v-deo.html 😊👍
@@PranaTech thanks a lot!
You are very welcome! 😁
I finally found the video where you recommend a different foaming agent. In later videos it shows you using drexel. Did you end up going back to drexel? I want to buy my foaming agent but want to get the best. Thank you for all of your amazing information.
Thanks for the demo and name of foaming agent -and- I just realized that the foam you just made can be reused once the air in the bubbles break - soooooo - it would always be a good idea to capture all extra foam in a clean, covered container! I hate waste and soaps are used as pesticides - so, not good to soak the ground! I've been watching many aircrete videos and am trying to learn as much as possible before tackling my first projects!
Hi friend . I just saw the video I'm interested in doing it here in Mexico to manufacture. my cellular concrete. could you help and give me information please. for all your help. Beforehand thank you very much greetings from guadalajara mexico
Great info mate, thanks for taking the time to make it and share your hard earned knowledge.
Thank you for the great comment, I appreciate it!😀👍
All you do is make foam. Why don't you actually finish the job? This is a waste of time. Everyone knows how to make soapy water.
Hi Kevin! Sorry my video showing you how to build a foam generator upset you so much. If you would like to see a video that shows the actual production of making Aircrete, here is a link to one of my videos showing the process. ua-cam.com/video/q5xqT2sFGdI/v-deo.html. Have a great day my brother! 😁👍
I just watched your other video . Thank you very much. Now all I have to do is come up with an excuse to make something. Again thank you very much.
Hi, nice project...Prana, I bought all the compones for the generator, but unfortunate , the SOLENOID CAME WITH 2 BLACK WIRES,,,,WHICH ONE IS HOT
Hi Nelson! It won’t matter on a solenoid. It is just an electromagnet so being energized is all that matters. 😊👍
@@PranaTech Thank you
No problem at all! Let me know if you have any questions when you get to building it. 😊👍
Put your air regulator and gauge on the top of your box…easier to see it..Js
Great idea!😊👍
Hi Don, how can I contact you to discuss especial application
Hi Mauricio! You can contact me at my email at pranateq@gmail.com 😊👍
Apologies if this is a dumb question but couldn't a submersible water pump work? I already have one and it delivers 216 litres per minute vs the industrial pump linked in description which delivers just 25 litres per minute. I'm sure im probably missing something here though😂 Many thanks 🙏
Hi Pete! That is definitely not a dumb question at all. Typically the higher the volume of output of a pump, the lower the pressure of that outflow. The pump needs to be able to produce at least 60 psi or 413 kilonewtons of output pressure so that it can produce good thick foam like shaving cream. You could put a pressure gauge on your submersible pump and see what the output is and if it can produce enough pressure, then by all means, use it. Typically those types of pumps output much lower pressures though. I hope this helps! 😊👍
That is very kind of you to take the time to give me such a thorough explanation, and I totally get it, and I imagine it wont be suitable! @@PranaTech
Anytime my friend. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will try to help.😊
Is this strong enough for a two story building?
Hello! Aircrete is not really strong enough for two stories, but there are stronger variants of the technology known as Aerated Autoclaved Concrete or AAC that is used in Europe and is available here in the United States as well. 😊👍
Great video! thanks for sharing God bless...
Thank you for your kind words!🙏Peace!
Are you still in Tucson? If so I’d love to meet you in person to pick your brain. I’ve been working on a concept using ICF block but I think aircrete could
Be a better solution
-Dominic
i want to eat it
Excellent...best I've seen. A more detailed schematic of what's going on inside the box would be very helpful.
Thank you! I appreciate your kind comment. Unfortunately I can’t really do much with the schematic because I gave the unit to a guy in Mexico who couldn’t get the parts to build one. 😊👍
This is definitely the sleekest DIY foam generator I have seen on UA-cam.
Thanks Dennis!😊🙏
I have a 4.0 gpm pump is that to big ..
Hi Jose! Good morning! 4 gpm is not too big but the Psi that it puts out must be 60 psi or higher to be able to make good foam. Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.😁👍
You filled the foam wand with steel scrubs. Why steel and not plastic? steel scrubs will eventually rust, ain´t it?
Hi Roberto! I used stainless steel scrubs so that they would not rust. You could use plastic ones as well and I’m sure they would work fine if you compress them. 👍😀
Could you sell me a foam machine
Hi Destiny, I’m sorry I just build stuff to show everyone else how it can be built. I appreciate the offer though!👍😊
Great videos! Thanks for sharing your awesome knowledge! Starting mine tmrw ;)
That’s great! Let me know if you have any questions when you get building. 😁👍Don
Hi Don, I have been looking around different stores around my place, and the closest pump to the one in your system has has the following specs:
Centrifugal pump, 18L/min, Total head 10M.
The biggest model is giving 25L/min and has a total head of 18M.
If I am not mistaken they are far from the 90PSI needed. What do you think?
Hi there, the important thing with the pump is that it puts out at least 60 PSI to balance with the air pressure. Otherwise the air is trying to push the water back into the pump. 👍😁
@@PranaTech Good morning, hope you are well. I wanted to ask you: with your experience, do you think that the size of the tubes I pick will matter much in my final mix of foam?
My pump should deliver 160 PSI with a debit of 5.5 LPM and I am about to use 1/2 inch tube to connect with the Y fitting.
My Air system has tubes of 1/4 inch, and might be of a lower pressure (usually standard Air compressors deliver around 120 PSI).
Do you think that my tubes, on both air and water side need to be same diameter and equal pressures? Or it doesnt matter much?
For the water pressure, I have been thinking to add a regulator to reduce it. Any advice?
Thank you very much for your help,
Nico
Good morning Nico! All is well here and I wish the same for you! As far as the lines go, I think you will be fine with the ¼” air line. The diaphragm pumps seem to adjust their pressure to match the air pressure where they meet in the y fitting so I believe you will be fine. Your pump’s output is quite a bit higher than mine so you may need to just put a ball valve inline to reduce the outflow. I would only do this if the foam was coming out to wet and I was not able to balance it by increasing air pressure. My gut feeling is that you will merely have to run a little higher air pressure than I do to match the output of your larger pump output. Most of the time I run right at 60psi of air pressure to make great foam. To make sure your foam is good, once it is thick and creamy like shaving cream, fill a 5 gallon bucket (19 liters) and it should weigh 3 to 3.5 pounds (1.36 to 1.58 kg). Hope this helps! 👍😀Don
Now I know where "the talking heads" got their name from.
😁👍
You are Very brilliant , thank you for valuable information. God bless you and family
Thank you Rafael for your very kind comments! Bless you as well my friend! 🙏😊❤️
It seams the best foam should have the consistancy of shaving cream?
Thank you so much for this great video and for sharing your schematic on how to build the pump set up. I hope you have at least created an Amazon affiliate account for all the links you provided. nothing wrong with making a few $$ for providing all this great info for free.
I am a new subscriber and have already started building from your designs, especially the Milwaukee portable band saw stand, pure genius!! Thanks again.
Good morning Tony! Thank you so much for your nice comment! I had forgotten about Amazon’s affiliate program. Thank you for reminding me! I am going to sign up right now. Let me know if you have any questions about anything you are building and I will get right back to you. Thanks, 👍😀Don
Would be interested in his latest version... selling a complete unit.
Superb video. I'll be making this set up to produce aircrete for my pizza oven build projects and giving you a shout out on my channel when I do. Thanks for taking rhe time to upload, much appreciated.
Awesome! A wood fired pizza oven is on my list of projects as well😀👍
@@PranaTech I'm also considering a wood fired Pizza oven which is what led me to discovering the world of AirCrete. I think I may do a dual fuel with a thermocoupled Propane heat source to facilitate better control for long controlled projects like low and slow for meats. I would think the thermal mass would be very conducive to that.
That sounds like an awesome idea with the dual fuel setup! You could even set it up with an electronic control for temperature and plumb in a pilot light and solenoid for gas and have it maintain an exact temp for as long as you wanted.😀👍
@@PranaTech That is my plan.
Nice! 👍
Congrats'!! That is a very simple and effective CAF generator.
Hi Simon! Thank you very much for your kind comments! I really appreciate it! 🙏😀
nicely done. Thanks
How much cement do you get out of 50 gallons?
Hi Gustavos, I usually get about 40 gallons of finished product from one batch of cured Aircrete. 👍
@@PranaTech thank you for everything. GOD BLESS YOU
Thanks for sharing!
You are very welcome Bobby! Thanks for the kudos! 😊👍
Great design & follow up. I thank you my freind.
Thanks Jim!👍😊
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi Jose! You are very welcome! Thank you for your kind words!😊👍
Very well done, You are truly a valuable source of great information. Thank you
Hi Glenn, thank you for your nice comment! I really appreciate it! 👍😀
Gary Yourofsky.......
THANK YOU ♥️
YOU ARE A GENIUS.
Hi Ronald, thank you for your kind words! Keep watching as I am finishing up an even simpler design for a foam generator that will be even easier to build and use. 👍😀Don
Buenas tardes
Cuanto cuesta la naquina de espuma
Buenas tardes mi amigo. Lo siento pero no vendo las máquinas. Solo hago estos videos para mostrar a otros cómo hacer las máquinas. Paz para ti mi amigo.
aquí hay un enlace a una empresa que los vende. www.domegaia.com/store/p38/Bestaircretefoamer.html
If I understand correctly, the foam solution is forced into your output hose at a constant 90psi and 1.6gpm because these are the pump's non-adjustable settings. Apparently this makes your foam generator very simple to operate -- because you've eliminated all the variables associated with the foam solution, thus leaving you with only one adjustable parameter -- air pressure/volume which you can easily control via your regulator. Genius!
Did you buy the CMX™ Foam Concentrate directly from Richway? If not, where did you get it? I've searched for it on the Internet but haven't found any retail sources, distributors or dealers.
Hi Fred, you are pretty close on the operation of the generator. The only thing that I realized about these pumps is that they boost up to 90 psi based on the pressures of the system. When I turn the air off and run just the pump to flush the system it probably only puts out 25 psi but as soon as I put my finger over the end, it will boost up all the way to 90psi if I could hold it. So it sort of balances the flow of water to match the air pressure where it mixes in the y before it comes out the front of the generator. The CMX solution I purchased right from Richway. Just called them up and ordered it over the phone. I think it was $50 a gallon. It costs more than the Drexel foam but it is way more stable when mixing with the cement. I made some aircrete with it yesterday and it was the best stuff I’ve used. It mixed smooth and creamy with small bubble structure. I made a video of it and I’m going to upload it today. Thanks for the comment! 👍😁Don
Hi Don, thanks for the clarification. Since your pump basically matches your air pressure it should be possible to use only an air compressor to power a foam generator of a different design. This would require a pressure-rated vessel to contain the foam solution, but it would eliminate the cost of the pump and the use of electricity in a wet environment.
To mimic the performance of your generator without a pump, two air regulators might be needed, one to pressurize the solution vessel at 90psi and another set to 65psi to match your regulator air pressure setting. This setup would also require a valve to control the rate of solution dispensed, or maybe a piece of copper tubing crimped enough to limit the solution outflow to 1.2gpm (more or less) at 90psi thus matching your pump's fixed volume output.
I've seen videos of people building foam generators without pumps, but usually they make their own solution vessels out of PVC pipe. This can be problematic because they all want large pressure vessels, but large diameter PVC pipe is weak, so they use long pieces of small diameter pipe instead. This makes those generators inconvenient to fill and unwieldly to use and store.
I think the benefits of your generator design are that it is very small and easy to move around, easy to control with only one regulator and a single on-off switch, and it can actually generate foam non-stop from a container much larger than a 5-gallon bucket if you happen to need that much -- no pressure vessel required.
I'm wondering if you normally set your regulator at 65psi as noted in your video, or have you been able to produce excellent foam at lower air pressures with certain foam concentrates on a repetitive basis? For example, would you ever want to be limited to 50-60psi air pressure? Or do you absolutely prefer the ability to use higher pressures? Here's why I ask:
Most DIY folks seem to be using lower pressures with their generators (which do not use pumps of course) yet they are claiming to produce great foam in many cases. My thought here is that if your generator can produce excellent foam at lower air pressures, a cheaper Shurflo pump could be used, perhaps one with a 60psi rating, and this would lower the build cost. Does this possibility seem practical or foolish based on your experience making foam?
Hi Fred, I think you could easily get away with a lesser psi pump if it could still produce the 1.6gpm. I bought the pump used on eBay for like $35 and it has worked out great so far. I have played with running the air pressure up to 90 and it makes great foam with very little density. For Aircrete to be structurally effective, you want to take a 5 gallon pail full to weigh 3 to 3.5 pounds of foam.(not including the bucket) To get this kind of density I had to drop the air pressure down to 60-65 psi and essentially make wetter denser foam. Knowing this now, I probably could have gone with the lesser shurflow pump as you have surmised. The pressure vessel foam units were just too complicated and unwieldy for me. Too many hoses and valves and constantly filling reservoirs. My plan is to build my own dome home out of Aircrete and so I will be building a much lager version of this system that I can use to inject the foam inline on the output side of a peristaltic concrete pump that I am designing, and eliminate the cement mixer from the equation. Just have a cement truck deliver slurry into my pump and then pump Aircrete directly into my forms. The new larger pump will be an air driven dual diaphragm pump. I have a bunch of projects in the works. Should be some very cool videos soon!😀👍
THANK YOU,, VERY ESPECIFIC THE ANSWERS, FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. HAPPY FATHERS DAY
Thank you Jesus! I appreciate your kind words! Glad you liked my video!🙏😊
Hi, your specs say that a diaphragm type pump is used. My question is that will a centrifugal type of pump work the same for the foam generator?
Hi Rico! Yes any pump will work as long as it can produce 55-60 psi of pressure because it has to be able to match the air pressure incoming into the system so it can blend into a good foam. Let me know if you have any other questions 👍😊Don
how to download from a drop box account?
Hi Errol! Usually you just right click or take a screen shot but if you tell me what file you want, I can probably give you a link to my google drive and it’s much easier to download from there. 👍😊
Hi Errol! Usually you just right click or take a screen shot but if you tell me what file you want, I can probably give you a link to my google drive and it’s much easier to download from there. 👍😊
Hi @Prana-Tech, I built my generator exactly as your schematic shows, the only differences are the pump model (mine is 2 GPM, 100 PSI) and the Y fitting, which I bought on Amazon (a 3/8 in barbed Y connector).
My problem is that air from the compressor goes into the pump through the Y connector when I turn my machine on. After a while I am able to get the water to flow through the Y connector and foam is generated, but the air pressure never goes above 60 PSI. My air compressor is a 150 PSI one, and ir cannot stay above 60 with this setup. Adjusting the dial on the air regulator doesn't help - at max it stays at 60 PSI. Obviously when I turn off the machine the pressure goes up on the regulator, as the compressor is still pumping air at 100 PSI and the solenoid is closed.
What am I doing wrong? How can I get my air pressure to go above 60 PSI?
Hi Marco, ok so the procedure I use during startup is to not hook up the air until I have the liquid pump primed. Once I have flow, I hook up air and this eliminates back flow of air into the pump. If you don’t like this, you could install a back flow valve on the pump side of the Y so the air can’t get to the pump. The air pressure issue may be due to the size of your compressor not being able to keep up with the amount of flow that is needed to run your foam generator. The smallest compressor I’ve used my generator on was one at work that puts out 4.5 cfm at 90psi and a 30 gallon tank. I really haven’t experimented with what the minimum size compressor you will need to run this generator, but if you are less than 4.5 cfm then this may be the problem. What size compressor do you have?
@@PranaTech thanks for the answer above. I've never seen anyone mentioning a minimum CFM required for great foam generation. My compressor can sustain 2.6 CFM @ 90 PSI. Do you have any information as to what is the minimum CFM requirement for making great foam? Is it 4.5 as you noted above?
Well, I never gave it much thought until I built the larger high performance one last month. My compressor at home is an 8 cfm @ 90psi 3.5 horsepower. So it runs my small one that you copied and my new larger design that is completely air powered with no problems at all. When I brought the new larger generator to work, the 4.5cfm compressor couldn’t keep up with the demand. That compressor is a 150 psi compressor and 30 gallon tank. This is when I realized that cfm was more important than psi output. I suspect that the minimum for my small generator is probably a little less, like 4cfm but if you are going to invest in a new compressor, always get the biggest that will fit your budget and your garage. That being said, I usually only run my small generator at around 60psi for my air and this makes high quality foam. With your higher output pump than mine, you may need more cfm to match the higher gpm output of the pump. Since your pump is putting out more liquid per minute, you will need more air volume to match that output to produce high quality foam. How big is your tank on your compressor?
How much did you set your air compressor and your foam generator?
Hi Siraj, my compressor is set at 125 on the output and the foam generator is usually set at 55-60 psi to get good thick foam. 👍😁
@@PranaTech set at 125? which unit? Do you have one for sale? Thanks
@@PranaTech set at 125? which unit? Do you have one for sale? Thanks
Hi Siraj, I don’t have any for sale. I just show how you can build one yourself. Both of my designs use 125 psi from my compressor and then I regulate down with the regulator on the foam generator to 55-60 psi.😁
What air pressure ranges are you setting regulator... Somewhere near the 90 PSI of the solution pump?
Hi there, I usually run the air pressure right at 55-60psi and that’s where it usually makes great foam.😊👍
Very helpful video and the generator looks really neat!
I'm planning on building my own based upon this explanation :)
Maybe I missed it, but could you provide the widths of the tubes and connectors?
EDIT: ah if anyone is searching for it, parts are in the description!
Thank you! If you have any questions when you begin building yours, just leave them in the comments and I will try and help. 😀👍Don
@@PranaTech I do have a question actually. Here and there I read that 90 PSI is required. Haven't read anywhere why though. Could you explain?
The Shurflo pump is rated at 90 PSI, but I can't easily find a pump with those specs here in the Netherlands (only Chinese crap from Aliexpress). So I'm reworking your design a bit to make it suitables for Dutchies/Europeans ;) and therefore I'd like to know if it's really required.
Hi NM, so I copied the pump from domegaia, but after using it for a while now, most of the time I set the air pressure about 55-60 pounds per square inch or 380-415 Kpa in metric. So I really don’t think you need a pump that large to make good foam. A pump that would output 60 psi should work just fine. It really just needs to balance with the air pressure so they are equal at the outlet Y. All of this depends on using a foam wand the same size as the one in my how to video. I had made a larger one earlier and it was too big for my generator to produce good foam so I had to downsize. The gallons per minute though should be at least 1.5 gpm or 6 liters per minute. Hope this helps! 👍😀Don
Seen so many videos, this is definitely very detailed and to the last part. Thank you and look forward to learn more. 👍👌👌
Jyothirmaya, thank you for your nice comment! Stay tuned because I am about to release a new video with an even simpler foam generator with parts that are available worldwide and uses only air pressure to operate. Thank you!😀🙏❤️
@@PranaTech Yes sir! Please do it... Out of many videos that i have watched, yours are definitely among the best. Love your detail, rigurosity and accuracy. Inspiring!
Thank you so much Alejandro! I am just finishing up with testing of the new design and it is working great! I’ve designed a new foam wand as well because my old design could not handle the higher output of this new generator. I should have the new video edited and uploaded in the next 4 to 5 days. Thanks for your comments!😁🙏
Fantastic video! Explained very efficiently. Best video on the topic I have seen so far. Thank you so much for making and sharing!!!
Hi Morgan! Thank you so much for your very kind comment! I really appreciate it!😀🙏❣️
The question is....how long does the foam has to last before the aircrete is set enough that it doesn't matter? That's all the time you really need the foam to last. If it would last longer than that, it doesn't make it any better than another foam agent - all else being equal?
Thanks for the helpful video.
Hi Gerry! Yes, that is the truth! What I have found is that the higher quality foaming agents consistently last longer and make better batches of Aircrete. There are human factors that can affect the outcome as well, like mixing in the foam to the Portland cement too long and breaking down the bubbles. Thanks for your comment!😊👍
Thanks...do you have an answer to my question?
At least a couple hours. There are a lot of factors that affect curing time like outside temperatures and humidity. 👍
Very nice!
Thanks Hank! 😊👍
Sir,I can't find 90 psi mortor. Is ok to change another psi mortor?
Hi Ko, yes you can go down to 60 psi if you have to. Most of the time my air pressures are around 50- 60 psi so you just need enough to equalize with the air pressure. Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙏😀
Can you build and ship ready to go yet?
Hi Mike, I’m sorry but I don’t build them to sell. I just build stuff to show others how to make it themselves. Thank you for your interest though. 😀👍
Want to sell me the used stuff please
Just com across with this video. Love it. Thanks for a sharing lesson.
Thank you for the nice comment! 🙏😊
Well done
Thank you!😊🙏
Could you tell me the pressure the water pump is set at..90? and the air pressure 65~70 lbs.. do I understand those correctly? THANKS.. I will do my best to make one.
Hi there, the pump has a max pressure of 90 psi but it self adjusts to match the air pressure when it’s running. The air pressure is usually at about 60 psi when I’m getting good foam. 😁👍Don
Great videa.
How do you know the expansion rate? Is there any way to figure it out. Expansion rate with any foam generator
That’s a good question? I’m sorry but that is way above my qualifications.😊
@@PranaTech Thank you very much.
how much did you dilute CMX foam agent to Water ? Thanks
I usually do 40 to 1 for the ratio.😁👍
genius!
Thanks! 😊👍
Is they any other pump that can be used ? This one I am seeing on ebay and it is very expensive.
Hi Richard! Here is a link to another one that will work. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TSC6V7M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07TSC6V7M&linkCode=as2&tag=pranatech-20&linkId=b77db5386ca45284fd5ee21f29cc63c6. This one is less expensive. You can usually find them used on EBay for reasonable prices and they are extremely durable pumps so even used ones last for years. 😊👍
Thank you!
Do you feel like you've gotten a superior air crete using this foam as opposed to Drexel foam?
Hi Scott! Yes, a much more durable and consistent foam that was designed for use with Aircrete. Drexel is just ok and I had regular problems with collapsing Aircrete and consistency issues. Drexel is designed just for farmers to mark their fields for crop dusting. Ridgeway is far superior foam. I’m also using foam solution from a company called Vermillion and it is even better than Richway and is nontoxic. 👍😁
@@PranaTech Thanks for the reply! This is great information to know considering I kept hearing that Drexel is the best foam. I really appreciate your efforts to help others be successful!
Bought this pump to build which was expensive, and now I can’t find any fittings for it
Wow. You are a handy genius. I have a question for you. I noticed some UA-camrs use a thickener when making their aircrete. Have you tried using any thickeners, And if so, did you feel they made a difference? Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. God bless you.
Good morning! The only thing I’ve tried was glycerin and it did seem to help some. What I found the most effective was using a foaming agent specifically designed for Aircrete. This solved 95% of my problems. Vermillion is by far the best that I’ve used. Here is a link www.vermillionassociates.com/varimax-concentrate.html 👍😊
@@PranaTech Thank you so much! I absolutely love your videos on this subject!
Thank you! I’ll be coming out with a video soon about how to make a chemically produced Aircrete. I’ve been experimenting with it for a while now and I like it even better than the foam injection method. 👍😊
Thought you may get a kick out if this foam generator: ua-cam.com/video/Wrd3nUSJwFM/v-deo.html Hope all is well!
Wow, that’s a lot of foam! 🤣
That foam doesn't look bad ...but I think it needs to be thicker/firmer. May try adding a few more scrubbing pads???
Hi Jimmy! I’ve tried less and more pads. I made a newer design wand with my new high output generator and it has an expansion chamber after the pads and this helps it a bunch. Check out that video. Foaming set ideal at about 17:48 in the video. ua-cam.com/video/L-SAHq9X9QQ/v-deo.html😀👍
yeah, thanks for putting this out to the masses.
You are welcome!👍😊
Not trying to be a smart-ass but what's the point of the air switch if it just comes on when you power it up and you don't have any control over it. Or does it create some sort of resistance that's needed
Hi Shayne! No offense taken at all. So I just wanted it as simple as possible when I built it, that’s all. You could certainly add a separate switch just for the air valve if you wanted and then you could control water and air separately. I usually turn it on without my airline hooked up to prime the water pump and then hook up air and start the generator and begin making foam. If you added the air switch you could hook everything up and just control it your way with the switches. Good thinking on your part! 👍😀
Good day what is the compressive strength of your aircrete
Hi Leonel, this is a link to one of the charts that I use. I typically mix 35 pound density so it has a 210lb compressive strength.drive.google.com/file/d/1MaVj1CvjdFybTYpFop8wE49Tg0TNzKzH/view?usp=drivesdk
You can mix whatever strength you need for the project at hand though. You merely mix in some sand to get higher strengths😁👍
1/4inch DC 12V Solenoid Air Valve or 110v ?
110 I believe, I just notified him the link was going to a 12VDC solenoid.
Hi Andrew, sorry about the delay in my response. Every time I tried to respond it said the comment had been removed. Yes the solenoid is 110v ¼ inch. I fixed the link in the description too. 👍😀Don
Great Video. I'm new to air crete so this was a great tutorial.. Thanks. Great design on the foam generator as well, very nice job. Just one suggestion for your foam generator construction. I didn't see a Ground wire going to the aluminum enclosure. I may have missed it, but if not, you might want to add one to limit the chances of shocking yourself in wet environments. : ) Safety First! :)
Hey, thank you for the nice comment and the safety tip! I will definitely hook up that ground wire. Good eyes!👍😁
@@PranaTech Thanks for this! Also, I realize this is a year or more old, but don't just attach a bonding wire to the case!!!
There's a dangerous misconception that bonding (grounding) is meant to be a protection for wet environments, and/or that it protects against shock!
The green bonding wire (aka ground fault wire) is attached to the motor case, just as it should be, only to trip a breaker in the case that there is a failure in the motor causing the case to become energized. If the motor case is attached to the box through the attaching foot, then bonding the case to the electrical panel is already done. If the motor is insulated from the box then that's excellent.
Attaching the box to the motor case adds a conductor directly to the ground it's sitting on. If it were wet, and the there were to be a fault that energized the box you're holding, and the box is connected to the motor case, then the energy would move through not only the green wire back to the electrical panel, but also through you, and may not trip the breaker! Electricity does not take the path of least resistance, it takes all paths back to the service panel at the same time, current being dependent on resistance.
Anyway, thank you again!
ua-cam.com/video/3vvvv5QVZoA/v-deo.html
Yes, I hooked the ground up to the motor because it is isolated on rubber mounts. Thank you for the safety advice! Cheers!😊👍
I too am very impressed!
Not just the degree of technical knowledge and easy to understand guide steps but you stand alone in not trying to sell me for workshop, video tutorials, pdf files, gadgets and what not... Not that I would not buy from you if I really needed to have it, but its refreshing and so I SUBSCRIBED!
I have my desert land and after the "conjob-19" ceases, I plan to build right away! -- hope I can ask questions from time to time?
Hi Peter, thank you for your kind words! My goal is to show others how to build stuff themselves for a fraction of the cost. Please feel free to asks all the questions you want. I’ll be glad to help! 👍 By the way, I’m a firefighter as my day job and this is most certainly the biggest con I’ve ever seen! 🤣
How much CFM does this compressor has
The smallest compressor that I used with this generator was 4.5 CFM. 👍😀
Hello Prana Tech. Can I simply purchase this machine from you? I won´t replicate it nor resell it. I just want to build a house for my parents in Costa Rica. Thank you very much.
Hi Levi. I don’t sell them but if you just want to buy one Domegaia sells them. www.domegaia.com/dragon-foamers.html
Can one use an air compressor?
This design uses an air compressor for the air supply. There are other designs out there that use just an air compressor and Venturi affect with a tank to do the pumping. They seem hard to dial in consistently because they don’t use a fixed amount of foam solution like a pump gives. 👍😊
Thanks, Don for all your generous learning and support. It's amazing that you're so giving of your time, talents and information. I went ahead and purchased an air compressor and the shurflo pump you originally mentioned. I now see your constantly improving especially with your high output design. Question. For now, I'm going to stick with the California Air Compressor because its quiet. At just over 5 CFM at 90 PSI. Would the heavier duty pump (or equivalent) you mentioned above be the right choice for my air compressor? Thanks so much Don. Weldon
Hi Weldon, thanks for your very kind comments! They are greatly appreciated! Ok, so that compressor will work very well with my original smaller design but will be ok for smaller batches with my new high output design. I tested my new high output foam generator at work and their compressor is a 4.5 CFM @ 90 psi 30 gallon tank unit. It worked great for about 4 gallons of foam solution and was struggling for the last gallon to produce good foam. This would only come into play if you were doing large batches of Aircrete and needed a large volume of foam to match. That 4 gallons of foam solution made well over the top of a 55 gallon drum of foam so if you are doing smaller batches of Aircrete your compressor will work great because while you are mixing up a batch, you compressor can pump back up and you can do it again. Now if you want to dose an entire cement truck worth of Portland cement, you are certainly going to need a bigger compressor.😀👍Don
@@PranaTech That's fantastic news!. I meant what I said about you, Don! Thanks for everything your doing. I'm looking forward to your future work with hempcrete in combo with aircrete. I live in Vancouver BC. Change is slow and arduous from industry-standard practices. It's going to be a long battle to change any code up here. I'm sure you can relate in the States. FYI; there is a 300,000-acre hemp farm that will be in full production by 2025 in northern BC. They plan to ship hemp to ports worldwide. Lastly, I'm hoping I could email you to the address if I have questions? I'll keep it short... Again, I don't want to take up too much of your time but appreciate anything you can offer. Sooner than later, you won't have the time to answer questions due to your continued success:)
Hi Weldon, glad to help anytime! My email is pranateq@gmail.com and feel free to ask all the questions you want. I’ll try and help in anyway I can. I definitely believe that hemp is one of the building materials of the future. It will take a while to get it legal to grow everywhere here in the states, but I believe it is coming. Talk to you soon.😀👍
Sir, i want you to build this for me, am in Ghana i need this compressor sir.
Great work boss, how much to have you build me the generator? A wood box would be fine to on the cheap. I’m in MN. Lastly I’m curious how the shrinkage changed when you used the cement? Did you have to refill after the shrinkage again?
Hey, thank you for your kind comment and interest in my foam generator. Unfortunately I don’t have time to build these generators but mine is basically a copy of the Dome Gaia little dragon generator. If you can’t make one yourself, you could always buy one of theirs. Here is a link to their site. www.domegaia.com/store/c4/Tools_%26_Equipment.html Cheers!😁👍
@@PranaTech thanks and keep breathing in that good *ss prana! Ps: yours is very quiet, worth the value right there!
Ha!!!!! You must be a Ralph Smart fan as well!🤣👍Namaste my brother!🙏❤️
I realized that I didn’t answer your second question. I don’t have any shrinkage problems since I started using Richway or Vermilion foaming solutions that are designed for aircrete and have much stronger bubbles.👍😊
Would this work t shot concrete to the wall?
Hi there. No, Aircrete is too runny to stay up on a wall.👍😊
Hi, Its me again, can you tell aprox. how much of DREXEL to a gallon of water
Hi Nelson! I used to use about 8 ounces of Drexel to five gallons of water. So that comes out to 1.6 ounces per gallon of water.😊👍
@@PranaTech Thank you much
You are very welcome!😊👍
About what is you dimensions of your aluminum case you made? Thanks
Hi Jay, the box is about 12” long by 8” wide and 10” tall. 👍😁
Great video dude thanks for the information
Now that I have built the foam generator and the wand what formula would you use to pour a panel 4’x8’x3 1/2” thanks
Hi Bryan! Congrats on building your generator! It’s always cool to see others build stuff and have the information spread. Ok, so Aircrete is pretty fragile when it’s only 3 ½” thick. To get that to not break when you take it out of the mold is going to be tough. I’ve never tried a panel that large before, but I’ve had my own challenges with 2’x4’ panels, so bigger is only going to get worse. Two things you could do to increase strength would be to use fiberglass fibers added to the mix or short chopped hemp fibers. These would add a lot of stability and shear strength to the Aircrete for a panel that large without adding a ton of weight. You could also add a layer of scrim cloth to the middle of the panel like they do with concrete counter tops. You pour half the depth of the mold and then lay the scrim in and then pour the rest of the Aircrete in slowly so you don’t sink the cloth to the bottom. Just some ideas as I said because I’ve never tried anything that large before. I would love to see some pics of your progress if you get some done. Send them to my email at pranateq@gmail.com 😀👍Don
@@PranaTech Thanks Don
I will be using fabric and metal studs as the mold
I would like to know the yield of aircrete using the formula 94# Portland cement 6 gallons of water and 40 gallons richway foam or the recipe you use
That recipe will yield about 6 cubic feet of aircrete.👍😁
@@PranaTech thanks don
I may cut it down to 2x8 so it’s a little easier to handle
I appreciate all the information and advice
@@bryannapier3354 7.48 gal per CF so 40 gallons yields 5.35 CF . Your panel is about 9.3, so 2 batches (bags) to fill. Good for the fill half, add fabrice and then top off.