Armortek

Hello Ad, guys,

Yes this is the smoke unit I'm referring to. But I'm glad Robin reminded me about the Thomas smoker which I believe uses 4 elements which kick in on demand(more power/more smoke) But can we have to much smoke
On a Sherman the smoke direction is downwards. I wonder what the effect on a Panther or Tiger is with the same unit. Anyone with the Thomas setup on a Tiger or Panther?

The reason I reduced the smoke elements from four to three was that in still conditions there was just to much smoke!

Hi all

Smoke in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine comes from burning oil. Diesel engines burn oil, and are liable to be very smokey. Petrol engines burn a clean fuel that does not smoke. A petrol engine will only smoke if it is worn out and in a bad state of repair. (worn rings, valve stems or maybe a blown head gasket). How worn the big Maybach engines had time to get during their short combat lives, is anyones guess.

Mark

So in conclusion, we are all agreed? that we have enough smoke more than enough smoke, what we require is the smoke to be under a higher pressure and be more controllable for our individual requirements but generally a belch on start up I would say a little for cranking over but not much ( even a non running engine will emit the occastional puff as it's cranked ) a small to insignificant amount for general running but with loads of fan pressure (but no whistling fan) the ability to rev the engine and so produce a good cloud as if to clear the cylinders and possibly a belch corresponding to a gear change/heavy load in low gear say hill climbing and hard turns ?

Sounds perfect Phil - when do you start production ?

Something else to consider is the split in people's preference for water or oil based smoke.

I prefer the look of oil based smoke, but there is a definite technical problem to overcome with the lag between adding more power to the heating element and getting more smoke from it, which makes a synchronised engine rev smoke belch quite difficult I would think.

Adrian.

Dude you are quite right about the delay in the smoke unit being "called to smoke",the laws of physics also affect the real thing, when we watch a vehicle from only 50mtrs away we see the smoke belch way before we hear the engine note change this is due to the light waves travelling some what faster than the sound waves

Very interesting topic.

I agree, the most important thing is the pressure the smoke is pushed out of the exhausts as the drift smoke most models have is not at all realistic (That includes boats, trains not just tanks). When the tank is running the smoke is greatly reduced but the pressure is still there and can be seen. Whether this can be achieved we shall see as I think it will take a pretty big fan. The fan is the important factor as the faster the smoke is pushed out the lower the density naturally.

Thanks Ant

Very interesting indeed. Instead of trying to synchronise engine with the smoke unit we should be able to produce smoke and contain a certain amount which can be released on demand. This should be easier to control. Question now is if this is possible

Good point "stored smoke" this could also be available for use as the cannon recoils ,a simple bellows or piston or fan to move the smoke to where it's needed ie up the cannon tube after firing the gun or on tap for that extra blast from the exhausts stacks

Storing smoke Good thinking but I think it would cause more difficulties than solutions. First you would loose pressure as it would require a separate chamber, then you'd have to use valves and all the time the smoke/vapour will loose heat and liquidise. It would have to be a very quick process to work. I'm still waiting to see how Richies BIG fans work and how much extra pressure they create.

Thanks Ant

Hi Guys

I have a belch on start up then a very fine mist (you can just see it) on my Tiger 1, my Dozer is going to have a belch every time its given more power (pushing soil ect) .

Ant
They are the same size but over twice the air output, and very smooth very quiet too:P

Its all about hole size, Airflow, and controlling the heat.

Richie Wiggytronics

I don't know if this has been talked about before, but how about a hot wire for instant smoke a bit like a glow plug to work in conjuction with the standard system?
This is what the paraffin does to me

Phil
You look a bit different from when I saw you on your vidio flying your
plane with a camera on it.
So thats what paraffin does
Keep off it.
Cheers
Phil

> I have a belch on start up

Pardon

(Well, someone had to say it ... )

Adrian.

On request: Thomas's Seuthe smokers in a Tiger - overfilled in this case, producing more smoke than designed, but very illustrative:
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae29 ... i_4909.mp4

I am, too, all for more oomph.

Cheers,
/Chris