Allan,
First off, cool, innovative system! If Smokey wasn't already taken as a call sign, perhaps you'd get it...but its gone, so maybe we gotta come up with something about safes, eh!
Sorry we didn't get to talk more at Big Bear...it wasn't till after you left that I realized we met briefly, and I would have liked to have seen your system up close. And you guys may not know it, but the two smoke-debaters (you and Scoot) were sitting at tables right smack-dab next to each other at brunch!
I mention that because of the last few posts (about forum debates), which are understandable. I never saw the posts referred to as rude, but thanks for pullin' it/them, as Scooter is a bud too, and fact is, we all have a common interest. And guys with smoke sytems are like fighter pilots, right?...we have thick skins, right?...we can ask tough questions that either further knowledge or improve stuff, and still buy each other a round, right? So hatchet buried? Cool!! OK, so let's talk smoke!
I also have one of John's SA systems, and love it. I was going to roll my own...wanted the challenge...then wanted it in before the Nellis show, and found that John's system was so well put together and so well packaged that it was both dead simple and still enough work to install that it scratched the itch to tinker and experiment. I even came up with a couple nuances to set it up just the way I want it...even took apart my Tosten CH-4 stick grip to install an on-off (non-momentary) switch for the smoke, right where the coolie-hat goes on a CH-8. So doggone proud of it I forgot to take a picture of it!!
I like your switch too...its close to where I had mine, which is now rewired as an arm switch for the stick grip button. One could use any type of switch with yours, I'm sure.
I'll brag on John and SA all day, but I like what you've done too. I had some of the same questions Scooter and others had, but you've answered them pretty well. I have other questions and thoughts too, FWIW, all for the good of talking smoke!!
I like the conformal tank (cool name, eh!). The pump design makes that possible. Does the pump pick-up sit really low in the tank, so as to scavenge all or most of the oil? I know you could rotate the tank 180 degrees and put the pickup at the back, where the oil level might stay a bit higher in level flight (slightly nose high attitude), and that would just make one use a bit longer of a hose run.
How does that pump tolerate running dry? I know the Shur-Flo that SA uses can run a very long time dry with no ill effects. Is it the same for the submersible pump?
I have a preference for pseudo-permanent tank installs. The reinforced spring is probably good for a 9, and a bracket shouldn't be too hard to fab. Once one does that, the external fill kit is a cool mod. Wonder if a conformal tank with a pump insertion point in the top-back and an opening to attach a fill kit in the top-front could be found (there's a mod suggestion for the Quad-S..."Safe Sex Smoke System"...ah...maybe that's not such a great name after all...that's why they call me Nasty, I guess
Maybe it could stand for the Side by Side Smoke System
) Just saw Snowflake's query on back-of-FW tanks. Roger the CG thing...perhaps that's a minor downside of the conformal tank that puts fluid and weight back towards the baggage bulkhead...though the effective weight is probably mid-baggage floor. The FW-backside location may pose some interesting fill-kit install issues, and maybe external vent issues if you go that route...interesting idea though, just some things to consider.
How good is that vent in the cap, especially the check valve (is it spring loaded, or just a ball that would prevent spillage in a roll over)? How easy would it be to go to an external vent with that cap...you mentioned that as a possibility, right? Perhaps a similar tank with a separate vent in it could be had as well.
On the nozzle, I'm pretty happy with the safety-wired hose clamp arrangement. Perhaps something to inspect regularly. Don't know enough to say yay or nay on welding the bungs, would have to ask Larry on that. And just to confirm, you have had no clogging with these fan spray-pattern nozzles?
Oh, and was it a smoke system that caused your inflight fire...just wondering? Quite a story, I'm sure...perhaps a round or two will ply the story someday!
Anywho...your smoke looked good, in the video and at Big Bear, and the kids on the balcony at the Barnstorm Cafe hooted when you, Scooter and Condor took off, so it was a crowd pleaser!
Oh, meant to ask...what was that oil in your tank. Pretty dark secret sauce! Smoked well tho!
Hope to run into you again, and happy smokin'!!
Cheers,
Bob