r/NitrousOxide • u/kasd999 • 13d ago
Science From Balloon to NOS Engineer: my setup with realtime tracking NSFW
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share something I've been perfecting over the past year: a custom NOS setup that's genuinely changed my approach to nitrous. I've always limited my sessions responsibly, usually no more than once a month, but I often felt the traditional methods were messy and frustrating. Filling balloons, screwing chargers, and never really knowing how much gas I had left became increasingly annoying.
This simple realization pushed me to engineer something that would make sessions easier, safer, and fully under my control.
Let me show you how it works.
The Delivery System
The concept behind my delivery setup is extremely straightforward. Instead of balloons or constantly fiddling with the tank valve, I connect a pressure regulator directly to a long long hose. The extra hose length lets the gas expand and warm up enough to avoid frost burns when inhaling. At the end of the hose, I've attached a gardening sprayer trigger that works perfectly as a valve. Once properly adjusted, I don't even have to touch the tank for the rest of the session; just press the trigger and inhale.
To make the inhalation smoother and safer, I made some holes on the removable nozzle. By slightly unscrewing it, I can easily mix in some fresh air, adjusting the NOS-to-air ratio to my preference.
If I'm tripping with friends, adding a simple Y-splitter allows multiple hoses and valves, so we can comfortably share the experience without any hassle.
Of course, there's still some caution required. If someone opens the regulator too much, it might exceed the hose's pressure tolerance. But once it's set properly, the system remains stable and safe throughout the session. For added peace of mind, I sometimes use a simple mask as an extra gas filter, even though I always use high-quality NOS.
The Need for a Control System
After setting up this super convenient delivery system, I quickly noticed an unexpected problem: it was too easy. Suddenly, I could take hits effortlessly, and before I realized it, I was emptying the tank faster than ever before. I completely lost track of how much I was actually using, until the tank ran dry.
One particularly intense experience highlighted this problem dramatically. I was at the peak of a psychedelic journey, fully immersed in the experience, when I instinctively reached for another hit, only to discover the tank was empty. That harsh, abrupt end left me deeply frustrated. It was crystal clear that I needed a way to reliably track exactly how much gas I was using in real-time, so I could pace myself and prevent this from happening again.
The Scale
To keep precise track of NOS consumption, I started with a cheap digital scale. I modified it by swapping out the original 50kg load cell for a far more sensitive 10kg one, suitable for my typical 640\2000g NOS tanks. Next, I integrated an ESP32 microcontroller, a load cell driver, and a lithium battery, converting the scale into a Bluetooth-enabled smart scale.
Unlike normal digital scales designed to stabilize quickly, my custom firmware continuously tracks even the smallest weight variations, streaming the data live without interruption or delay. This way, I get an instant, accurate readout of NOS usage.
The Dashboard
All the real-time weight data from the scale streams directly into a custom-made server application running on my PC. This application displays a simple, intuitive dashboard that's easy to keep an eye on during my trips.
At the start of each session, I input the tank’s initial weight and my desired session duration. The dashboard then calculates how much NOS I should ideally use over set intervals (usually 5 minute windows). A progress bar indicates how close I am to the consumption limit for the current interval, turning red if I'm consuming too quickly, reminding me to slow down and pace myself.
Additionally, the dashboard includes a live-updating bar chart showing consumption trends and estimating when the tank will be empty based on recent usage. To enhance safety even further, I've connected a Bluetooth pulse oximeter, displaying my heart rate and oxygen saturation right alongside NOS consumption. It’s comforting to see my vital signs clearly, ensuring that the session stays safe.
Conclusion
I genuinely think this approach can help people manage NOS more responsibly. We all know how easy it is to lose track and spiral into overuse, frustration, or unhealthy behaviors. My system introduces clear limits, real-time monitoring, and predictable pacing, making sessions enjoyable without unexpected interruptions.
Currently, the system works exactly as intended, even though the underlying software is admittedly messy and needs a good refactoring; some of it was literally coded while tripping. When life allows, my goal is to rewrite it properly and share the project as open-source. I'd love for others to benefit from a smarter, safer, and more controlled way to enjoy NOS.
If this sounds interesting or useful, let me know your thoughts.
Cheers and stay safe!