smoke & sound

[Ray Brown]

G'day Guys. I wish to have the smoke exhaust synchronised with the start up & running sound as opposed to the vehicle motion. Is this possible & if so which wires are connected to which connectors?

Cheers
Ray

[Adrian Harris]

G'day Ray.

This isn't something which can be achieved with the current wiring within the standard Armortek motion pack but the Benedini TBS5 unit does have a connection which allows for control of a fan.

It switches on with the engine sounds and runs the fan at about half speed, then switches it on to full speed as soon as you move either of the control sticks.

I'll have a look and see how easy it would be to insert something into the power lead for the fan.

Adrian.

[Bob Gould]

Im interested in this too as my KT fans dont seem to do anything

[Adrian Harris]

Right, I've had a look into this and I think it would be quite feasible to make a system which interfaces between the Sound Module, or a standalone Benedini module, and the smoke module fans.

It would give a blast of smoke when the engine start sound is played, then reduce to approximately 1/3rd fan speed when idling.

When you start to move forward, you get approximately 2 second of full smoke, then it swaps to proportional, so at half speed you get half smoke, full speed you get full smoke.

When you drop back to idle, it returns to 1/3rd fans speed and switches off with the engine shutdown sounds.

I've ordered some parts to make up a prototype.

I'm hoping that it can be made to use as many of the existing Armortek connections as possible and would be provided with instructions on where to make these connections. Some models have slightly different setups - I believe the KT has two separate smoke modules so that might need a few different cables.

Is this something in which people would be interested ? I'll need to cost out all the components but I don't think it'll come to more than 50ukp for a standard unit.

Anyone in Evercreech fancy being a guinea pig again

Adrian.

[Lawrence Godson]

Yes I would be interested - for P-III and 222

[Maarten Schutjes]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but that's pretty much what I get using the standard Benedini TB5 connected to a (super)smoker on the designated pins. As soon as I switch on the startup sound with the toggle switch.
You can even get an optional potmeter to set the correct amount of smoke produced.

[Dennis Jones]

Adrian, you have a PM.
Dennis.

[Adrian Harris]

Thanks Dennis - you have a reply.

Maarten, as the TBS5 is supply the driving logic, you will see the same behaviour from your smoker.

I'm hoping to achieve the same effect but using the existing smoke and sound systems which people already have in their models.

Adrian

[Ray Brown]

G'day Adrian. I have all the latest armortek modules. I assume its 50uk pounds.If it works I'm in.

Ray

[Maarten Schutjes]

Looking forward to a movie when you're ready, Adrian.

[Adrian Harris]

The prototype board works well - I'll film and upload a video to YouTube later on.

I'm hoping it will simply plug into the power feed for the smoke module heating element and take its power from there. I think the basic board would fit into a fairly compact metal box - 50mm x 50mm should do it.

However, I'd be grateful to know how many people use a separate switch to control the power to the heating element ? I know some of the later smoke module wiring looms come with a toggle switch included in the wiring, so I'm wondering whether it is worth fitting a switch to the box, so that the element could be controlled that way ?

Adrian.

[Nick Farrugia]

HI Adrian
good news , carnt wait to see the vidio of it working i have a swich in line with the element so it can be swiched off if not needed or you want to save the batteries . i am interested in this as i have previously mentioned ,hope it works out ok .all the best ,,,,,,,,,nick
I dont mind if their is an extra swich or i use the existing one thats there already thats something best left up to yourself to decide on your the expert on this one ,,,,,,,regards ,,,,,,,,,,nick

[Adrian Harris]

This is a stock Armortek smoke unit, interfaced to the new Sound Module. The module dates from the original M4A3 Sherman release.



I have one of the smaller new versions with the radial fan here as well, so I'll see if I can build that tomorrow and see how it looks.

Adrian

[Nick Farrugia]

Hi Adrian
the vidio looks great just what is needed to make it that bit more realistic ,hope this will work with the new fan and smoke design that i have got in my pzIV . the vidio looks very impresive good luck with it ,all the best ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nick
How long if its succesful would it be before you can make more of them or how long untill i can buy one from you regards,,,,,,,,,,nick

[Adrian Harris]

Hi Nick.

I've ordered a bunch of parts today but work has picked up so it will probably be three weeks or so before I have anything ready to ship.

I've uploaded a second video showing the same smoke unit base with an updated lid and upgraded fan:



The smoke comes out so fast you can't really see the difference between the idle and the full speed but outdoors it's quite a bit more obvious.

Here is a photo showing the difference between the two lids:

The larger holes make for a much greater speed of smoke, but also mean quite a bit more escapes internally when the fan is not running.

Adrian.