Smacka

I would like to set up a smoke system in my 33% Cap 580, and was wondering with today's advances in technology, what is the best smoke pump available and why? I am thinking of using an oil tank no larger than 20 oz because I just want a puff here or there, and not a steady stream of smoke through an entire flight. The research I have conducted so far tells me that pumps have a tendency to really gobble up the oil, so I am thinking of assigning one of my switches as an off-on switch for the pump, and a slider lever to make adjustments to pump speed on the fly. That way I can watch what the smoke is doing and apply more power to the pump or take some power away.

Any advice is greatly appreciated...

fancman

My Feedback: (16)

The best one is the one fits your needs and works as you would like. I use a Mega Smoke unit from RC Showcase. Works fine for me and it includes an optical kill switch for the engine. I power my ignition and smoke pump from one battery. You've just started the ford chevy debate all over again. Everyone has an opinion.


http://rcshowcase.com/html/accessories/smokepumps.html

bblizzard

hi,

the sulliavn skywriter is hard to beat 75.00 at local hobby shop. fully programable ajustable flow and lite, works great on gas or glow, and very easy to install, comes with everything you need except tank. will work off of a 6v 300ma battery for 2 days without a recharge on the battery. i have this set up in 3 100cc planes.


brad

2robinhood

I second the Sullivan Skywriter.
Programable, complete kit minus tank and battery.
Here is a video of one of my systems of my 30% yak with a DL-50.
When wide open I am at 4 oz. per minute of Super Dri.
I have this set-up in two 50cc's and one 100cc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6omYvHGbBk

flyfish

My Feedback: (2)

i got this one http://rcshowcase.com/html/accessories/smokepumps.html

Smacka

Thank you one and all for your input. I cannot wait for this plane to take shape. I am having a ball, and actually looking forward to the PA winter so I can get started with this build.

Hooked-On-RC

My Feedback: (16)

best smoke pump by far is the Harris Smoke Pump...why, it is light weight, fully adjustable for flow rates, uses very little power from your reciever pack or seperate battery and is simple to service if need be, it is not cheap however but qulaity costs money. here is the link


[link=http://www.harrismodelproducts.com/]Harris Smoke Pump![/link]

Dave Wilshere

Smacka

The Powerbox unit is by far the best. It can be bought for use from a separate battery or from any of the spare channel sockets on a PB unit.

They are easily adjustable, compact and neat with plug in wires.

Dave Wilshere

fancman

My Feedback: (16)

WOW!!! $160.00 for a smoke pump. The RC Showcase pump does the same thing for $88.00 and has a optical kill switch for the engine built in as well.

flyfish

My Feedback: (2)

that is why i got the RC Showcase pump! fully programable ajustable flow and lite OPTO kill switch and the best part the price

tuny

Im using a Sullivan Skywriter, but I need a new and BETTER option, the skywriter works great.... when it works. its my second skywriter, the firt one I got, test it in the workshop, worked beautifull, but........ when I got to the field, nothing. It never started again. so I purchase a second pump, worked fine for about 1 gal of smoke oil, now it works when it wants to.

any Ideas, somebody else with this kind of problems?

I´m looking for a better pump, ligther if possible.

sethslasher

I use a TME smoke pump in my Python. Works great, plumes of smoke everywhere. I tried using the Sullivan Skywriter, but it would only work half of the time I wanted to use it. BTW The pic on the left is right after I turned the smoke on, it hadnt been in a hover long with the smoke on. Thats why its kinda thin in that pic.

Seth

sethslasher

Same deal I had. Thats why I use the TME smoke pump!

Steve

My Feedback: (54)

Some of the older Sullivans had issues. The new ones seem to be good. I had two older ones that I sent in and they fixed them at no charge and I've had zero issues since then and lots of smoke!!! Which ever one you choose, I think all the new gen pumps will put out lots of smoke. You will never need to run any of the pumps at full speed, it just dumps raw oil all over the plane. Just make sure you set it up right for a good burn when it enters the exhaust system and adjust it for maximum burn.

tuny

my first skywriter was purchased in august last jear, the second one in january this year, how new are the new generations??

so the TME is the way to go? any other suggestions?

in weight wich one is ligther?

thanks all!

sethslasher

I think the TME is just a little bit lighter than the Sullivan Skywriter.

qnzkrew

i use the tme with zero problems. i bought a second one for a friend who never had smoke before and he set it up by himself the first day. check out my video when i was first testing the tme pump. http://youtube.com/watch?v=fRvnizB8Svs

Smacka

Thank you all for your feedback. After careful consideration, I have decided to go with the Harris competition smoke pump for the Cap 580. I plan to incorporate the Duralite Pwoerbox and their smoke pump into my Aeroworks 42% Yak 54-QB.

Thanks again