Smoke unit .. how to use

[Pine-Tree72]

Not sure if this is the right place but ...
Ive bought a Heng Long tank exhaust smoke unit, thing is its not for a tank .. I have on the boat part of the forum posted about the PT boats I have built, and I have bought this unit to try and hook it up to the smoke generator on the back of the PT boat for effect .. things is there are no instructions with the unit, so wondering how I go about filling it, and with what, think I'm good to connect elecs. etc ..pic of the unit attached. thanks in advance .. Allen

[Pavel]

the optimal voltage for the motor and heating element is 6 Volts, connect via a remote switch, inside through a tube put on the nipples, pour no more than 2 ml of liquid for smoke, sold separately in accessories to them or just Glycerin bought at a pharmacy...

[Pine-Tree72]

Hi thanks .. so essentially fill via top two holes and connect pipe to both for outlet ?? ... 6 volt supply for smoke,... is 7-12v boat power ok for motor as wanting put RC inline switch to control from TX

[Herr Dr. Professor]

The usual batteries operating RC tanks are 7.2.V NiMH or 7.4V Lithium. I doubt it would be good to feed the smoke unit motor or the smoke unit's heating element any higher voltage, and I am inclined to agree with Pavel that 6V is the best.

[Pavel]

The smoke unit of the old version of the tank comes with a board with two step-down resistors that reduce the voltage for both the motor and the filament.....
In new versions, the voltage is already regulated by the control board.
You just need to put an electronic switch on the 3rd channel and turn on the smoke as desired.
For more, you can watch YouTube on the request smoke machine tank Heng Long...
Voltage over 6 volts increases the fan speed, and the filament will quickly burn out "its life will be bright, but not long"

[Pine-Tree72]

Hi Gents .. thank you .. Ordered a couple of elechawk RC 3 way switches and according to the info on them whatever voltage input goes in the same comes out .. ie; on the separate power supply if I put 6v in 6v will come out.. only thing Im wondering is will it be ok to connect the power supply for the motor and smoke unit together on a 'Y' link to the switch ?

[Pavel]

Yes, it is possible!
But I made the fan operation proportional by using a small speed controller, thus regulating the smoke stream from small to strong....
True, I have a Futaba 10 and a bunch of channels that I can use at my own discretion

[Pine-Tree72]

Hi again gents ... I got the RC switch, see pic ... my question being and sorry if its a dumb one as I don't fully get electrics, whereas I don't lose any power through the switch, wired as it is in the pic if I put say 6v at power in, what will I get independently at A and B outlets for smoke and fan units .?

[Pavel]

Yes, that's how it will be!
BUT, I don't see how many Amps this device is, at least 3 A is required, because the filament requires a lot of current!!!
I have the same device at 8 Amps, this calms me down...

[Pine-Tree72]

Hi Guys ... coming back to this, Ive got everything working, just need now to put it in the boat itself, as I say though, I'm really ignorant as to the finer points of electrics etc and my problem is this.

All working as I say but in using a 6 volt supply (4 x 1.5v AA) the smoke is very thin and wispy, Ive coupled together two 3.7 V 400 mah batteries and again smoke very thin and wispy, Ive also put in 12v (8 x 1.5v AA in two holders) and it seems a little better but not what I want ... now here's the thing, Ive also connected it to a 7.4V 2S 200 mah Lipo battery and it works for fun, smoke like you wouldn't believe, thick and cloudy as befits a 'smoke screen' but in reality dont have the space to fit that size in along with everything else .. (note to self, do all this in the build before you stick the deck down) .. so what am I missing or doing 'wrong' and can you recommend a suitable power supply that will give the same effect as the lipo please .. ?? .. I can imagine a lot of eye rolling going on ..