To smoke or not to smoke?
 

Would you bother with the excess weight of a smoke system on a 30cc sbach? I love the idea but I don't want to take too much away from it's 3d capabilities.

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

Aircraft International's 3W pump plugs into your receiver...no extra battery
needed. I don't think you would notice the added weight of the tank and plumbing.
What's the engine?

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

DLE 30cc

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

Why not give it a try? BTW, I've had good luck with my 3W pump.

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

Well I'm going to disagree with dryverman.... :eek:

In GENERAL, putting smoke system in a model will add about 1lb. to the weight and that's a BUNCH more weight for a 30cc size model to add to the wing loading. I would NOT share smoke pump power directly from the rx buss either for some of the same reasons I wouldn't run ignition power from that source. If you want to not run an additional battery, the solution is to pick up a power switch with multiple power out leads or a battery with multiple power output leads and use a separate switch for the smoke pump.

That said; smoke is kind of neat on models but chasing down the smoke fluid, getting the pump and your radio setup for a decent smoke output can be a challenge, if the smoke fluid gets loose insided the model you've got a real mess to deal with (anyone who say's they've NEVER had a leak probably hasn't played with it much), it's not exactly an inexpensive proposition and to top it off, the extra weight will change the model's flight characteristics.

JMHO.... ;)

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

I put a smoke system on a Giant Super Sportster/Zenoah G38, and it flies very differently than it did before the smoke system......I do like the smoke though. It looks great when I point it straight up, and it stalls, and then tail slides back down into the smoke:D

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

I wouldn't put smoke on anything under 100cc. The weight penalty is proportionally greater on the smaller planes.

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

Does the weight come from the fluid itself or does the pump, etc. Add significant weight also? Also would it be possible to rig a system to be easily removable? Maybe put it on for a funfly and do some sport flying with smoke, then remove it for 3d.... Any thoughts on that?

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

The entire system adds considerable weight. Yes it is possible to rig a removable system with the pump, tank, and battery on a removable tray.

RE: To smoke or not to smoke?
 

I agree with FlyFalcons, 100cc and larger are good for smoke systems.