Smoke System Setup

[staying up there]

i would like to install a smoke system but im not sure how to go about setting it up or what exactly to use. what pump, oil, tubing, and others that may be needed. any input would be appreciated. pictures would be a great help too.
thanks

[Billa]

What engine do you plan to use and more importantly - which muffler? All the smoke systems out there work. My TME is doing well on a DA50 with a Slimline pitts muffler equiped with their STI preheat system. Another friend recently bought the Sullivan Skywriter and is in the process of setting it up. Most impotant thing is how much heat can you transfer to the smoke fluid before injecting it into the muffler. Gassers have the most heat so preheating is not essential but still very good if you can do it. Next come the four strokes and then the two strokes. These two categories really need the extra help of a preheat system. So, back to the first question - what is your equipment ?

[whidbey1]

Hi
Troybuild models has good info on the smoke system, here is some info on fuel tubing for smoke: here is a link for their fuel and smoke page.


You can use the yellow tubing up to a few inches of the muffler, then after the last check valve or the "T" where the fuel splits to go to the two exhausts, use the black high temperature tubing. The yellow tubing will melt when in contact with the muffler so use the black on the muffler's smoke nipple. This stuff doesn't last forever, so check it after a year and see that it hasn't become brittle with heat.

Good Luck

Bill

[whidbey1]

sorry the link did not make it:
http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/FuelSystems.html

[macanaw]

I found some teflon tube 3/8 diameter that fits smoke fittings perfectly. This stuff wil never get brittle or melt. I strongly reccomend it for smoke setups. McMasters carrys it, I believe they call it "Teflon rope".

David

[staying up there]

Billa
right now i have a .50 SX with a bisson muffler, but guessing by the information given so far, it may not be a good idea for now. but i would still like to know how in case i go bigger with giants some day. info has been good so far.
thanks again

[Billa]

Any pump driven off-the-shelf smoke system with a dedicated battery will generally add atleast a pound in weight. You need to see if the airframe can handle the extra wing loading. With a 50 size glow engine airframe, I doubt that you will have the luxury to afford this weight wise. A minimum airplane size worth outfitting with smoke would be a lightweight aerobat with a minimum wing area of around 1000 sq.in (generally the 72" 1.60 size machines). Obviously the bigger the better. IMHO, if you want to do it right, then hold off until you are onto gas engines. My first attempt was with a glow motor on a CG Extra 300 some six or seven years ago and although it did work, I feel the investment is much better now that the TME is pumping fluid into the exhaust of a 50cc gasser. The TBM site has a lot of useful information on smoke systems and otherwise. they offer the Sullivan smoke writer pump. You could also do a search for TME pumps and check out their site too.