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  #1  
Old 10-01-2011, 10:41 AM
Darren S Darren S is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 439
Default Undecided about smoking

I would like to add a smoke system to my -7. Seems like the smoking airplanes 3.5 gallon, double nozzle setup is best. What I don't know is where to get cheap smoke oil and what type is best. I live up in Calgary, Canada.

Someone quoted something like $10 a gallon. A 3.5 G tank at $35 per which lasts for 5 minutes is a little $$. Any other ideas out there? Or is this just the way it is.

Darren
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  #2  
Old 10-01-2011, 12:56 PM
WillyEyeBall's Avatar
WillyEyeBall WillyEyeBall is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Daleville, AL
Posts: 343
Default smoke oils

Darren,
Here's a link for a list of smoke oils: http://www.smokingairplanes.com/smok...m_smokeoil.htm
None are cheap. Some have used diesel and used filtered transmission fluid, but they are not recommended. Good luck and I've enjoyed mine.
Bill McLean
RV-4 slider
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  #3  
Old 10-01-2011, 02:09 PM
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Andy Hill Andy Hill is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 976
Default

As Bill says, none are cheap... However, there are 2 controls to limit the $$ - the on/off button, and the flow valve. Have a think why you really want it, and do you really need the full flow rate?

That said, the full rate can give impressive results:



Diesel works, but it needs higher flow rate to get same smoke effect, and your aircraft may well stink of it for a long time after The good smoke oils are essentially "baby oil", and smell/feel pleasant

Andy & Ellie Hill
RV-8 G-HILZ
RV8tors
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  #4  
Old 10-01-2011, 09:19 PM
Darren S Darren S is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 439
Default

Good point about why I really want the smoke...I was just looking for some fun while doing aerobatics. I'm going to check on Monday where I can get oil locally. Still undecided and gathering info..
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  #5  
Old 10-01-2011, 10:31 PM
DaAV8R DaAV8R is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lee's Summit, MO
Posts: 747
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Hill View Post
As Bill says, none are cheap... However, there are 2 controls to limit the $$ - the on/off button, and the flow valve. Have a think why you really want it, and do you really need the full flow rate?

That said, the full rate can give impressive results:



Diesel works, but it needs higher flow rate to get same smoke effect, and your aircraft may well stink of it for a long time after The good smoke oils are essentially "baby oil", and smell/feel pleasant

Andy & Ellie Hill
RV-8 G-HILZ
RV8tors
Nice Picture
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  #6  
Old 10-02-2011, 01:38 AM
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rvmills rvmills is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
Default

Darren,

John at Smoking Airplanes may be able to get you a deal on barrels. I think it was about $7/gallon last time I talked to him. Still pricey, and northland delivery may be pricey too.

I've checked with some local petroleum distributors to see if there are any local deals, but no scores yet. You might take the spec sheets from the SA website and show them to the local distributors to see what they might be able to come up with.

I've been told that some of the types of oil are concrete form release oil, so if ya know a tilt-up building contractor, you may be able to get in on a volume buy.

I've used diesel, and it works, and as Andy said, it does smell a bit, and hang time is not as long as the good stuff.

If all else fails, hang out at local airshows, and offer to help them clean up a bit, and if they need that open container of smoke oil disposed of, well you'll have just the place for them to unload it! (Done it!)

It's expensive by the minute, but its not an everyday thing...and its worth it!

And Andy, that is an AWESOME picture!

Cheers,
Bob
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Last edited by rvmills : 10-02-2011 at 01:41 AM.
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  #7  
Old 10-02-2011, 08:59 PM
prporter prporter is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Vul, VA
Posts: 316
Default Well, if you need a reason for SAFETY to have it....

... if the tower says they don't have you in sight, flip the switch for a couple of seconds. There! A justification for smoke, because of SAFETY.
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  #8  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:32 AM
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N282S N282S is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Topeka
Posts: 323
Default One more

Quote:
Originally Posted by prporter View Post
... if the tower says they don't have you in sight, flip the switch for a couple of seconds. There! A justification for smoke, because of SAFETY.
It's always good to able to pull the trigger and not have to pick up brass or dead bodies.
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  #9  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:42 AM
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mv031161 mv031161 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Tybee Island, GA
Posts: 664
Default

STAY AWAY FROm DIESEL! Thats a ticking bomb and a nasty in flight fire accident waiting to happen! I cant believe someone actually posted this!

Cheapest way to go is concrete form oil. It.s been in used for ever! I see lots of rv,ers use used transmition oil but i am against its use. Too poluting. I personally like to use a brand that contains paraphin wax but it is expensive.

1 galon a minute is the best economic setup. Less than that, save your money since it will look weak. I have a 7 gallons system on mine and it gets used in 5 minutes. It leaves a nice thick smoke trail just like in the pictures posted.
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Semi-Retired in Tybee Island GA
2007 MX2 Nigel Lamb EX RBAR MX2 (Current)
2020 MX2 New Kit Position (Sold at OSH to Team RV Member)
2009 Team Rocket F1 (Sold)
2008 MXS Green Slime"(Sold)
2007 MX2 Patches" (Sold)
1999 Giles 202 "Primal Fear/Perucho" (Sold)
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Last edited by mv031161 : 10-03-2011 at 05:46 AM.
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  #10  
Old 10-03-2011, 08:58 AM
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Ron Lee Ron Lee is offline
 
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Posts: 3,275
Default

I had 5 gallons last about eight months.
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