Problems with Sullivan Skywriter Smoke System

[mosquito]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the exact place for this topic BUT, I am having trouble with a Sullivan Skywriter Smoke System.

The system is brand new in the box. I am trying to install it in a 77" Weeks Solution X biplane. I've hooked it up to a 6v battery. My problem is that the unit struggles to draw from the smoke source. When I pull the fluid through the system to prime it, it works but not very impressive. The second that an air bubble gets inline, or, the pickup line goes empty, even for a split second, the pump will not draw any more fluid at all.

I have a feeling that the pump itself is bad. Or, does the Sullivan system have to be re-primed every single time it's used?

Thanks.

Tim

[Kiwi]

Is the pump above the smoke tank or below it. I have the same durn problem on my YAK but if I get it working it stays fine for the tank full. My tanks lower than the pump and I will never do that again.

Do you have the check valve installed in the outlet line. Its also very important to have it in place.

Just a couple of things I have struck.

Kiwi

[plaster93]

Try running a 7.4 lipo battery,or something higher voltage and then regulate the pump on a curve in tx.On my pump I just linked it to the throttle,put a curve on the pump rate in my tx,then before I start my engine I prime the pump till its flowing,then start the engine and take off,lot of nice white smoke!

[xtremeRCpilot]

Hi Mosquito, Make sure the vent line(if available) is not kinked or blocked. Had that problem and couldnt get the flow until fixed. Great working unit when set up right. As kiwi said have the check valve on the outlet side to keep line primed . Good luck.

[mosquito]

Thanks for the reponses. I did try a 12v battery and it seems to flow much faster but it still will not draw until it is fully primed. I can live with that. How are you guys priming the system? Are you pulling the line off of the muffler and drawing the fluid through the pump via a syringe or something?

[snap a saurus]

To get maximum efficiency from your smoke pump, always install it behind the smoke tank and below it and do not forget the one way valve, a 6 Volt battery will help also.
Good luck

[kevgofly]

I have the same pump, also on 6 volts and it works fine. Do you have your ATV set at 100% for the chanel your using for your smoke? Do you have a mix to the throttle set yet? (if so try it with no mix, does it work better?) Are you sure your 6 volt battery is actually 6 volts?

Hope this helps,
Kev

[FastnLow]

Check your tank clunk, if it is too long it will not work, also make sure your using tygon or some type of line that is smoke fluid friendly, silicon will brake down quickly and collapse cutting off the suction side of the pump. Use proper smoke oil like super dry etc. Diesel or some of those disgusting homemade smoke oils will make short work of the pump trust me! Don't forget filters either it doesn't take a very big piece of debris to ruin the pump. There should be no need to prime it, I run nothing but sullivan skywriters and they will suck a golf ball through a garden hose.

[mosquito]

Ok. Thanks for the responses!

I figured out the problem. I called Sullivan and spoke to a tech who figured out that I had one of the first 200 units made by Sullivan. After the first 200, they learned that they had problems with the plastic used for the pump itself and changed plastics. The unit was new in the box but was bought some time ago and I just took it out to install it so I was unaware of the problem.

The tech asked me to send the unit and the check valve back to Sullivan for upgrades and repairs! Great customer service!

Tim