Pulsing smoke
06-21-2017, 10:43 AM
#28
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Hey Guys, Ken McSpadden here, one of the Viperjet flyers in the video.
I was able to program the DX18 sequencer to do the pulsed smoke with the help of Andy Kunz who writes the airware for Spektrum radios. It wasn't difficult, but it also wasn't something I could come up with on my own without his help. In fact, I'll have to look again at the radio when I get home to remember exactly how we did it! The basics are that the sequencer was setup so that when it was finished traveling from the beginning of the sequence to the end, it would reverse itself and travel back to the beginning, where it would reverse itself again and travel to the end.... creating a continuous back and forth seguence. Setting the values and speed of the sequence was pretty straight forward. To switch the smoke on and off, I created a couple of mixes. One mix would turn the smoke on constantly and was just a smoke pump channel to a set value... and the other mix would mix the smoke pump channel onto the constantly running sequence. I used a 3 position switch so position 0 would be smoke off, position 1 is constant smoke, and position 2 is pulsed smoke.
I'll go look at the radio later and try to give you some more specifics, but this might give you a few clues to get started on your own.
Thanks,
KennyMac
I was able to program the DX18 sequencer to do the pulsed smoke with the help of Andy Kunz who writes the airware for Spektrum radios. It wasn't difficult, but it also wasn't something I could come up with on my own without his help. In fact, I'll have to look again at the radio when I get home to remember exactly how we did it! The basics are that the sequencer was setup so that when it was finished traveling from the beginning of the sequence to the end, it would reverse itself and travel back to the beginning, where it would reverse itself again and travel to the end.... creating a continuous back and forth seguence. Setting the values and speed of the sequence was pretty straight forward. To switch the smoke on and off, I created a couple of mixes. One mix would turn the smoke on constantly and was just a smoke pump channel to a set value... and the other mix would mix the smoke pump channel onto the constantly running sequence. I used a 3 position switch so position 0 would be smoke off, position 1 is constant smoke, and position 2 is pulsed smoke.
I'll go look at the radio later and try to give you some more specifics, but this might give you a few clues to get started on your own.
Thanks,
KennyMac
06-21-2017, 07:05 PM
#29
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Desert,
I am having the same problem (and hope Kenny and Mike can tune in here with some more guidance), hence my thinking to possibly use the 555 Timer (or other gizmo) to pulse the power supply to the smoke system.
Jan
I am having the same problem (and hope Kenny and Mike can tune in here with some more guidance), hence my thinking to possibly use the 555 Timer (or other gizmo) to pulse the power supply to the smoke system.
Jan
06-22-2017, 06:06 AM
#30
This is from my Jeti, but the screen shots should give you an idea how to program Sequencer.
It's Just the position of the servo on the time scale and in your situation let it cycle.
It's Just the position of the servo on the time scale and in your situation let it cycle.
06-22-2017, 01:43 PM
#31
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ZB,
Thanks for that. The 'servo' in my case will be the Powerbox smoke pump - right? I understand that you can set a 3.0 second time delay to switch the 'servo/pump' off after you flipped the TX switch on - but do you then have to flip it off again to get the 3.7 second delay before it switches on the 'servo/pump'?
Cheers,
Jan
Thanks for that. The 'servo' in my case will be the Powerbox smoke pump - right? I understand that you can set a 3.0 second time delay to switch the 'servo/pump' off after you flipped the TX switch on - but do you then have to flip it off again to get the 3.7 second delay before it switches on the 'servo/pump'?
Cheers,
Jan
06-22-2017, 01:54 PM
#32
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Guys,
I have also come across this possible solution which can be used on the power supply side. Have a look, it seems very feasible to me, incorporating the previously suggested 555 Timer.
Headlight Flasher(555)_Circuit Diagram World
I am sure that with a little help by the guys from my local electronics supply store, that it can easily be adapted.
Cheers,
Jan
I have also come across this possible solution which can be used on the power supply side. Have a look, it seems very feasible to me, incorporating the previously suggested 555 Timer.
Headlight Flasher(555)_Circuit Diagram World
I am sure that with a little help by the guys from my local electronics supply store, that it can easily be adapted.
Cheers,
Jan
06-23-2017, 11:03 PM
#35
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Hi guys,
Here is an off-the-shelf option that look like it could work too - I have ordered one to try.
Adjustable Interval Timer VM136
Cheers,
Jan
Here is an off-the-shelf option that look like it could work too - I have ordered one to try.
Adjustable Interval Timer VM136
Cheers,
Jan
06-28-2017, 11:50 PM
#36
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Hi guys,
Here is an off-the-shelf option that look like it could work too - I have ordered one to try.
Adjustable Interval Timer VM136
Cheers,
Jan
Here is an off-the-shelf option that look like it could work too - I have ordered one to try.
Adjustable Interval Timer VM136
Cheers,
Jan
Hoe haastig is jy. Ek kan iets vir jou bewimpel as jy te veel sukkel.
Andre
06-29-2017, 11:44 AM
#37
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Pulsing Smoke Sequencer - Step by Step
Hi Guys,
I threw together a sequencer and supporting program mixes this AM that I believe will work to produce pulsing smoke. I haven't tried it in actual application but the TX monitor says it's working
Typically there is more than one way to get something programmed that will work. This is just one of them for pulsing smoke and can probably be used for other devices as well. I hope this little write-up will get some of you going on sequencer programming in general and looping sequencers in particular.
Len
Len Alessi
Team Horizon Hobby Air
I threw together a sequencer and supporting program mixes this AM that I believe will work to produce pulsing smoke. I haven't tried it in actual application but the TX monitor says it's working
Typically there is more than one way to get something programmed that will work. This is just one of them for pulsing smoke and can probably be used for other devices as well. I hope this little write-up will get some of you going on sequencer programming in general and looping sequencers in particular.
Len
Len Alessi
Team Horizon Hobby Air
Last edited by LenAlessi; 06-29-2017 at 11:58 AM. Reason: forgot signature
06-30-2017, 01:20 AM
#38
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Len,
Thank you for the spoonfeeding - it is much appreciated. I will borrow a Spectrum Tx from a mate and see how it works on that. Then I will see how it can (if it can) be done on my Futaba 18ZMZ.
Cheers,
Jan
Thank you for the spoonfeeding - it is much appreciated. I will borrow a Spectrum Tx from a mate and see how it works on that. Then I will see how it can (if it can) be done on my Futaba 18ZMZ.
Cheers,
Jan
06-30-2017, 12:28 PM
#40
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Not likely......I don't think.
Nev,
I am first going to try the unit that I have ordered from ApogeeKits. But in the meantime I will see how it is done on the Spectrum and then see if the same or similar logic can be found on the 18MZ - we'll see. Who knows another good Samaritan me feel sorry for me and spoonfed me the procedure on the 18MZ.....LOL
Cheers,
Jan
I am first going to try the unit that I have ordered from ApogeeKits. But in the meantime I will see how it is done on the Spectrum and then see if the same or similar logic can be found on the 18MZ - we'll see. Who knows another good Samaritan me feel sorry for me and spoonfed me the procedure on the 18MZ.....LOL
Cheers,
Jan
07-01-2017, 03:55 AM
#41
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For those interested:
i have developed a pulsing smoke controller which will be ready very soon. it will work with any radio and it will be inline between your pump controller and your RX on your PWM line and wll have variable rates of pulsing smoke for any radio.
rates are controlled by your Tx End points for that channel.
Price is 45$ + shipping.
weight is about 3 grams and very small size.
contact me by email if interested.
[email protected]
i have developed a pulsing smoke controller which will be ready very soon. it will work with any radio and it will be inline between your pump controller and your RX on your PWM line and wll have variable rates of pulsing smoke for any radio.
rates are controlled by your Tx End points for that channel.
Price is 45$ + shipping.
weight is about 3 grams and very small size.
contact me by email if interested.
[email protected]
Last edited by i3dm; 07-01-2017 at 03:58 AM.
07-01-2017, 03:10 PM
#42
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Will it work with PowerBox smoke pumps?
For those interested:
I have developed a pulsing smoke controller which will be ready very soon. It will work with any radio and it will be inline between your pump controller and your RX on your PWM line and will have variable rates of pulsing smoke for any radio.
Rates are controlled by your Tx End points for that channel.
I have developed a pulsing smoke controller which will be ready very soon. It will work with any radio and it will be inline between your pump controller and your RX on your PWM line and will have variable rates of pulsing smoke for any radio.
Rates are controlled by your Tx End points for that channel.
Cheers,
Jan
07-01-2017, 09:07 PM
#43
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I use Powerbox smoke pumps and there is no separate controller. The pump has two leads - one from the battery and one directly from the Rx. Therefor I can only manipulate the radio signal or the power supply to the pump. Will it be possible to use your controller with the Powerbox smoke pump?
Cheers,
Jan
Cheers,
Jan
power remains un touched.
07-02-2017, 10:26 AM
#46
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Something like this might be worth a look at. Can't get much cheaper.
1-Channel Relay Module Trigger Delay Cycle Timer Circuit Switch Adjustable 6-30V | eBay
1-Channel Relay Module Trigger Delay Cycle Timer Circuit Switch Adjustable 6-30V | eBay
07-02-2017, 02:03 PM
#48
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Very good, exactly what I want.
Here you go guys, my universal pulsing smoke controller,
since i custom build each unit, i can supply any rates of pulsating that you choose !
I hope you like it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBemOtRpl5c
since i custom build each unit, i can supply any rates of pulsating that you choose !
I hope you like it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBemOtRpl5c
When you say that you can change the pulsing duration to anything I want during the build - does that now mean it cannot be customised any longer by changing the end points of the channel?
Cheers,
Jan
07-02-2017, 08:37 PM
#50
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Actually i could modify the code to have about 20 different pattterns.
the range of your signal channel is about 1100-2100us PWM.
so could devide it and use 50us jumps for a total of 20 options.
20 options would be pre-programmed, and choosing between thm would be according to radio signal.
you can create a mix in your radio to even switch pulsing rates in flight quite easily
the range of your signal channel is about 1100-2100us PWM.
so could devide it and use 50us jumps for a total of 20 options.
20 options would be pre-programmed, and choosing between thm would be according to radio signal.
you can create a mix in your radio to even switch pulsing rates in flight quite easily