Gun smoke kit

[Paul Sparkes]

Some of you have seen the gun smoke effect I have in my Jagdtiger at Tank fest and other events. After being asked I will be making a limited number of my gun smoke kits to sell.

Other interesting videos on my channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsmjXy ... deiog3xcOg

What’s in the kit?
A control box 120x95x38mm aluminium box with all the electronics inside
1 x custom modified Vape
1 x CO2 regulator
Some pipes.

What does my tank need to make this work?

It’s a basic plug and play into red or silver box tanks using a trigger from the recoil or gun flash output. Other tanks with Benedini will also work although they may need to be reprogrammed to work correctly.
A 12v power source is required either battery direct or a high power 24 to 12v converter ( I always use these in my tanks)
1 x spare RC channel used to trigger the Vape
Space in the barrel for a 6mm hose to fit (may need some creativity on some models)

What’s in the control box?

A CO2 solenoid
2 x relays
1 x power supply for Vape
1 x pololu maestro to control things with some custom script.
A fuse to keep it all safe.

How easy is it to fit and use?

Fitting is a matter of inserting the 6mm clear hose into the barrel, I have fitted into a King tiger, Tiger 1 and Jagdtiger so far with small alterations to the bore of the barrel or muzzle break. A local machine shop can easily drill the barrel if required if it’s needed. I have drilled the barrel on the JT to reduce the weight for a better recoil, so it has its benefits.
The control box can be placed anywhere , and so can the regulator which needs to be accessed so that the canister can be changed when empty. The Vape needs to be vertical if possible.
A wire is connected to the sound module or to the recoil module depending on tank and locations of boxes.
A connection to the RC receiver for the trigger switch
The main control box needs a 12v power source or 24 to 12v converter like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Volt ... hdGY&psc=1

360 degree turret is not catered for but could be done with some creativity, as long as everything fits into the turret space.

Operation, to make it work the vape needs to be pre heated so using a spare RC channel on a momentary switch if possible.
Activate the smoke trigger switch and wait 3 seconds then fire the gun as normal this will trigger the smoke effect then once fired release the smoke trigger switch.
If a 2 or 3 way switch is used and its accidentally left on it will burn out the vape coil, some clever people could figure out a logical switch on openTX that should solve this issue. But to date the few I have done haven’t had an issue.

If your interested let me know, or any questions reply to the post so everyone can see.
I can also add an output for a 12v led flash if thats required by anyone.

Cost £280 + P&P

[Mark Weiss]

Fantastic kit Paul, so realistic. Curiously how many shots will you get before co2 or vape needs refill. I’m using the current Armortek red sound and recoil boxes, are they compatible?

[Paul Sparkes]

Mark,

The vape lasts a long time before refilling is required, I don't know how many shots but a lot.
The CO2 also last quite a few shots, I recommend that the regulator is turned off at the end of the day to reduce any change of leaking.
The CO2 are around 80p each so not huge money as consumables go.

I am making a few changes at the moment after feedback, but yes will be fully compatible with AT red and silver modules. On a red box tank I can supply a voltage converter and then it will be a true plug and play kit.

I will update here when I am happy with the new design changes.
The Beier version is working fine.

[Mark Weiss]

Excellent, thank you for the info. My only concern is the barrel bore large enough on the Panther to allow the smoke and the Armortek led leads as they are rather thick, but probably solvable with machining as you pointed out.

If you are willing to ship to the USA, I'll take one with the voltage converter when you are ready to begin shipping again. I'll keep an eye on this thread for your update.

Thanks,
Mark

[Paul Sparkes]

Mark,
The clear hose from vape that goes up the barrel is the same as used in car windscreen washer here in the Uk. I assume it will be similar. So you can easily get some to try first. I will test with the 4 mm hose to see how it works. Kingbtiger, tiger, jagdtiger are all ok with minimal mods.

[Robert E Morey]

that is really cool Paul- nice work.
Bob

[Tom Wittstock]

Paul, I'm interested when it is available...Very nice work.....

Thanks Tom Wittstock (Michigan)

[Ed Groenenberg]

Hello Paul.

Quite a nice unit.
You did mention a new design, will that one use electronic switches rather than relay's?
That could save some space and may result in a smaller box.

Ed

[Paul Sparkes]

Hello Paul.

Quite a nice unit.
You did mention a new design, will that one use electronic switches rather than relay's?
That could save some space and may result in a smaller box.

Ed

I'm Happy for someone to make suggestions on the electronic design that will improve what I have designed.
The only issue I have is getting a consistent trigger from the sound module that works 100%.
The signal from AT Silver boxes are not as reliable as the red box versions, I have a solid state relay to pickup that signal and trigger the pololu to do the rest.

Beier sound based systems are far easier to deal with as all the triggers are in the software already, they bare also easier to make fail safe due to not leaving the vape trigger relay active.

[Adam Shepherd]

Hi Paul,

I'll take one when available with voltage converter for my Ferdinand.

[Tor Jacobsen]

Me too!

[Paul Sparkes]

We did some testing today of different hose sizes 4mm vs 6mm(close to muzzle brake) vs 6mm(at base of barrel)

Thoughts?

[Mark Weiss]

It didn't seem to me that the volume was much different from 6mm to 4mm, maybe a bit more from 6 but nice to know 4 can work if necessary.

The interesting thing to me was the base of the barrel shots looked more realistic in that more smoke seemed to flow from the barrel end and less from the brake vents. Maybe because some of the pressure has time to decrease as the smoke flows up the barrel? That's just what my eye sees I wonder what you and the rest of group thinks. Either way it looks fantastic and a must have for our tanks.

Awesome work Paul.

[Adam Shepherd]

As Mark says the base of the barrel seemed to me to feel more realistic. It seemed to have more velocity as it exited the barrel, no doubt some sort of venturi effect happening (maybe)!

I saw your Jagtiger in action at the model show and was very impressed with the smoke effect, obviously the muzzle break on the Elefant etc adds a new dimension.

[Paul Sparkes]

The good part of the test has been using the barrel as our hose extension. I always thought having the small hose at the very end was better but with the muzzle break using the barrel seems to work well and it opens up the installation for even the smaller tanks as all you need to do is get the 6mm hose into the end of the barrel and seal it with hot glue or bluetac etc.
The LED light didn't seem to make any difference to the smoke output.
We think the duration of the smoke (on time) is a little too long, what do others think.

Adam, The jadgtiger was running a new version of the smoke/light on the end of the barrel but it didn't work as well so back to the drawing board.
smoke went down hill and not dispersed enough.

Need a printable rifling for the JT if anyone knows of one, then I have a new idea to try.