RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System  
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RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 11/10/2003 7:24:03 PM   
SLINGSHOT-RCU



Posts: 690
Joined: 2/11/2003
From: Timmonsville, SC, USA
Status: offline 		my skywriter smoke works great. more smoke than my tme.

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(in reply to deputydog)
       Post #: 26

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 11/10/2003 8:22:07 PM   
BuschBarber


 

Posts: 782
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Based on the experiences I have had, I can only say that my unit seems to be defective, however, there could be hundreds out there that work fine. I do know that except for vibration (which they say is not an issue), I can find nothing else that suggests it has anything to do with the battery, plumbing, or installation. Their instructions call for putting the checkvalve between the tank and the pump, however, they backtracked on that and I was able to get it to work, for a while, putting the checkvalve between the pump and the muffler. Shortly after that, it started behaving erratic and nothing I could do would fix it. It behaves the same whether or not it is connected to the muffler, so what else is there?

I only know what others have told me on this thread. Perhaps I can get Sullivan to ship me another pump and I will try it again.

(in reply to SLINGSHOT-RCU)
       Post #: 27

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 1/25/2004 6:24:48 PM   
robbie


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/29/2002
From: butler, MO, USA
Status: offline 		It seems they have a problem,,I have a new one and it is junk as well, It works fine if you tap the pump sharply a couple of times, then turn it off and then on and you have to tap it again, I don't want the leaking TME(by other reports) but I really like the idea of variable control

Robbie

(in reply to BuschBarber)
       Post #: 28

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter - 1/30/2004 1:12:52 AM   
MBerwick


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 6/22/2003
From: Hackberry, LA, USA
Status: offline 		I had a short in my sullivan skywriter pump motor the ground wire was cold soldier so I redid it and it worked fine. The problem I had it worked when it wanted to motor running or not. And one more thing though the instruction away because the are wrong the one that said the put the TME check values at the muffers is right. Don Hobbies and all you need. And do away with the check value that come with the pump but use the crap trap that will work. I also use a tee to fill and not a third line because when I fill it prime it self.

_____________________________

Hackberry Kid

(in reply to BuschBarber)
       Post #: 29

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/10/2004 5:38:18 PM   
woodscra


 

Posts: 895
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: frisco, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Any new reports or stories with these pumps? I am looking for my first smoke pump and like the idea of variable control, but the stories here are not promising for slimline or sullivan.

_____________________________

Craig

(in reply to MBerwick)
       Post #: 30

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/10/2004 9:10:56 PM   
flyindude


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 9/28/2002
From: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I have one and it works fine.... only thing is, I did NOT set it up for variable smoke with the throttle. I set it (like a servo) with EPA (end point adjustment) to give it the right amount of smoke fluid to the muffler at full throttle. Most of my areo-batics are performed at or near full throttle anyway. So far I can't complain about it....... it is the first and only smoker I have owned. Hope this helps. I too have read lots of negitive reports on the "Skywriter", but mine is working great.

(in reply to woodscra)
       Post #: 31

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/12/2004 5:20:33 AM   
RCAddiction



Posts: 902
Joined: 3/29/2002
From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I have one in my H9 T-Craft with BME44. It works fine but I didn't follow the directions and didn't use the very large diameter tygon tubing that it came with. The larger the diameter, the longer and more difficult it is for the pump to prime.

The 4.8V pack is not enough for this pump. Sullivan indicated it was marginal. Go to 6.0 or 7.2V. I'm using 6.0 because it was handy. The pump has to work pretty hard against the exhaust backpressure. Use ATV or EPA in your radio to set endpoints as needed.

I use (2) TME check valves, because the cracking pressure is lower than the stock Sully valve. First check valve is between tank and pump, on the inlet to the pump. This prevents the pump from losing its prime. 2nd check valve is on the engine side of the firewall, between the outlet of the pump and the muffler. Tygon from pump, thru firewall, to checkvalve, then to 3" stub of neoprene line connected to muffler nipple.

On my 9C, I set up a mix curve that ties the smoke channel to the throttle. If I have the smoke switch "ON", then at 1/2 throttle, the smoke pump runs at a low rate. The rate increases until it reaches the maximum desired smoke rate at 3/4 throttle. Works just fine and is a real crowd pleaser. My good friend, who is an awesome pilot, did a tailslide with my T-Craft back down into the cloud of smoke, and hung my T-Craft in the cloud of smoke. Way cool.

_____________________________

Lee

(in reply to woodscra)
       Post #: 32

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/12/2004 11:46:55 AM   
robbie


 

Posts: 71
Joined: 10/29/2002
From: butler, MO, USA
Status: offline 		I got mine working great now, Turns out it just needed to have a continuous run to seat in the brushes.(I looped the supply and the return to the tank, and let it run for 15 mins at a time for 4 sessions, giving it a cool down between each) I would think that would be something sullivan would do,BUT??? anyways now that it works it performs excellent.

_____________________________

Robbie
"it doesn't cost anymore to go first Class,, You just can't stay as long"

(in reply to flyindude)
       Post #: 33

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/12/2004 2:16:06 PM   
woodscra


 

Posts: 895
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: frisco, TX, USA
Status: offline 		This is excellent information. Thank you for posting your experiences, this will be very helpful.

_____________________________

Craig

(in reply to robbie)
       Post #: 34

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/13/2004 5:46:59 AM   
woodscra


 

Posts: 895
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: frisco, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Does this sullivan have a separate connector for battery? Seems the only way to get a higher voltage to the unit.

Does any tubing beside neoprene withstand the temperature of the mufflers and is smoke oil proof? Perhaps some kind of aerotrend tubing...

Thanks

_____________________________

Craig

(in reply to woodscra)
       Post #: 35

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/13/2004 6:25:11 AM   
RCAddiction



Posts: 902
Joined: 3/29/2002
From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
Status: offline 		The battery power connection for the pump is independent of the RX connection. Otherwise, the pump would be running off the same batteries that power your plane's RX and servos. It does not do that.

The RX connection is used like an ESC (electronic speed control). It is used to provide a signal to tell the pump to turn on and off, and at what rate to pump.

For example, in my T-Craft, there are 3 batteries and 3 charge switches.
1. 1100 mah Ignition - 4.8V
2. 1800 mah RX - 6.0V
3. 650 mah Smoke - 6.0V

I hope this helps.

There are many fuel materials that can be used, such are used in the automotive world, but are not routinely available to hobbyists as tubing.

Aerotrend makes a transparent blue tubing that I use for gas. It is likely fine for smoke oil as well. It is very similar to yellow Tygon, only it has a blue tint, instead of yellow. The Aerotrend silicone fuel tubing used for glow fuel is NOT compatible with smoke oil.

The neoprene is typically used to make the connection at the muffler because it can handle heat better than Tygon or the similar blue Aerotrend gas tubing.

< Message edited by RCAddiction -- 3/13/2004 1:29:35 AM >

_____________________________

Lee

(in reply to woodscra)
       Post #: 36

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/13/2004 5:14:26 PM   
woodscra


 

Posts: 895
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: frisco, TX, USA
Status: offline 		That answers my questions Lee, you have been very helpful. I appreciate you taking the time.

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Craig

(in reply to RCAddiction)
       Post #: 37

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/13/2004 9:35:33 PM   
RCAddiction



Posts: 902
Joined: 3/29/2002
From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
Status: offline 		glad to help. It's actually a very nice pumping system with "unfortunate" setup instructions.

_____________________________

Lee

(in reply to woodscra)
       Post #: 38

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/15/2004 6:55:19 AM   
edgewize


 

Posts: 12
Joined: 9/13/2003
From: Newark, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Hello... I've been following conversation about the Sullivan Skywriter and the problems some people are having with them. I am in the process of installing one in a 28% Edge.
I have bench tested mine and I find that it works ok as long as it has prime. Once it looses its prime by sucking air, it becomes air locked and can't reprime itself against the pressure of the one way valve between the pump and the muffler. I found that the only way to reprime the pump is to disconnect the valve, run the pump to prime and then reconnect the valve again. Then the pump has all kinds of pressure and like I said, works ok.
My plan is to place a "T" with a fuel dot between the pump and the valve. This was if the pump does loose its prime I can just remove the dot, run the pump for a couple of seconds until fluid comes out and then put the dot back in.
I think most of the other suggestions are good except for the idea of a second valve between the tank and pump. That would just make things worse. This system definitly needs a three line tank to prevent any air getting into the delivery line.

(in reply to RCAddiction)
       Post #: 39

RE: RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 3/15/2004 1:52:54 PM   
RCAddiction



Posts: 902
Joined: 3/29/2002
From: Waxhaw, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Mine primes just fine with the check valve between the tank and the pump. Recall that I'm not using the Sullivan check valve, though. My setup used the larger diameter TME valves, which open with less delta P. No idea if it works with the included Sullivan check valve. Anyhow, that check valve helps to prevent the pump from losing it's prime.

Note: I have the pump physically located on the floor of the plane, with the bottom of the tank about the same level. I believe that this pump might prime better if it were possible to locate the tank a bit higher than the pump, to maintain a flooded inlet. This would require that the outlet to the muffler be higher to prevent siphoning, though.

_____________________________

Lee

(in reply to edgewize)
       Post #: 40

RE: Sullivan SkyWriter Smoke System - 4/28/2004 1:39:43 PM   
woodscra