Budget Smoke System
 

Hey VAF!!!

I know this conversation has occurred on here a few times, but it has been 6 years (that I've seen) that a good conversation has occurred on building a smoke system on a budget.

I'd like to start off by saying the Smoke System Helper kit looks awesome! If I planned on using the system more than 2-3 times a year, I'd probably go that route. However, we primarily use the -8A for cross county flying, so the smoke will be primarily for the occasional loop or formation flight.

The primary question I have centers on finding a suitable oil pump. It seems like oil extracting pumps sit around $40 and a general utility oil pump is $140. What kind of pump does everyone use?

Any other ideas/recommendations are also appreciated! :)

Blue Skies!
Matt

If you search the archives, you'll find various Shurflo pump model numbers.

I'm using a 8009-541-236. It goes on sale at Northern Tool regularly. I don't know how many gallons of smoke oil it has pumped, but the internals have been exposed to oil for a few years.

Paige

Not at all difficult to roll your own. Details here.

Tony

Awesome! Thank you!

What kind of nozzle did you use? I notice there are some stainless steel water nozzles that have a little bit of a spray pattern.

Also, did you put a nozzle in both pipes or will one work?

Smoke
 

If you just want a few minutes of smoke you might go to the junk yard and get a windshield wiper reservoir with built in pump and mount it up and give it a try.
Bob

My home brew system is on rev 3. I now use a submersible aftermarket automotive fuel pump. Takes the pump leak failure out of the equation, no worry about where to mount, recirculates back into the tank before leaving via manual needle valve. Simple, plenty of pressure & flow, lighter, and cost comparable to Surflo hydrocarbon compatible pump.

Great idea - I think I'm going to try an experiment with this $27 wonder or this at some point.

I wonder how well that lid seals when inverted?

Aluminum disc, check valve, short length of large dia plastic tubing, hose clamp. Done.