Another video of some of the mods I have done on my RV-8. These include the ELT antennae access door and the rear avionics/flight control access door on the rear baggage shelf.
Please follow up on this vid with 1) details on the vent plumbing 2) the high pressure plumbing through the fuse 3) the firewall penetration details 4) the FWF plumbing and 5) the electrical wiring, how you power it and the switch to control it. Any mods you’d make to your install if you could do it over?
Hi luckymacy. So I followed Smokingairplanes install instructions. The vent plumbing needs a high spot to prevent siphoning. 1)I ran the line up to my fill spout and then straight down through the baggage floor. It terminates at a pulled rivet that they supply. That rivet is placed on the outside of the bottom fuselage skin with the mandrel removed making it a port similar to a static port. 2) The high pressure line runs along the left hand side just outboard of the left most floor rib. I ran it through snap bushings and zip tied where needed. It runs forward through the gear tower and curves from the left forward side wall to the firewall. See in this blog post: www.rv8-hangar.com/control-sticks-smoke-oil-fill/ 3) See the alcove post for the supplied T that they give you. Keep in mind I went with the two line firewall forward kit versus one line. 4) See this blog post for the firewall forward plumbing: www.rv8-hangar.com/smoke-system-spray-nozzles/ Again I just followed their instructions and where to place the nozzles. Keep in mind the clearance for the cowl as you may get rubbing if you are not careful. 5) They supply a panel for their switch and CB’s. I used their parts but incorporated them into my left side panel. See this blog post for a photo of that side console: www.rv8-hangar.com/consoles-and-wiring/ It is powered by the VP-X. I also have a remote momentary on switch on my control stick located at my right hand thumb spot. This is what I use for 90% of the time that way in an instant I can remove the power from the system by letting up on my thumb. I wouldn’t change anything as I have it setup. It fills super easy with no mess. I can remove the system in under 15 minutes and install in the same time. I’m glad I went with the two nozzle as it produces a great mole trail. Hope that helps you and thanks for watching the video! Regards, Michael
Hi - Thanks for showing your build. I like the access panels. I have a question if you have time. On my -8 build, I’m looking at a lot of electrical forward right at and near firewall. So I was wondering how you solved water intrusion at forward baggage door. Did you protect equipment from water with any shielding? Thanks, Drum
Hi Drum, always willing to talk RV’s! So are you referring to the hinge area of the baggage door or around the remaining perimeter? Around the perimeter I didn’t do anything and have not had any issues so far. At the hinge line Vans tells you to use foam on DWG 84. I got that from McMaster Carr part #9334K36
T Bone thanks for the compliment and for watching the videos. The fuselage star and bar overall width is 3' - 3 1/2" and the star width, from left point to right point, is 1' - 6".
If you connected the refill line to the other fitting on the tank would that give you better access to the cargo area (without the hose going diagonally across your access area?)
I tried to do just that with 5 different style hoses. The bend is pretty tight and the ones that were flexible enough kinked. The ones that wouldn’t kink would only go so far. So I settled for the “across the area” hose. It’s not that bad to get stuff around it. If I need the extra baggage I just remove the tank. Thanks for the comment!
I looked at that option too however the filler cap assembly is a large “nipple” fitting. That meant I would need a small devotion of hose to a 90° that had “nipple” ends. I did try and it was just too bulky for my liking with all the extra parts.
I don’t have the paperwork with me as I’m on a Untied trip now. Go to www.summitracing.com and search for Jiffy-tite quick disconnect fittings. There a lot of variations and you will need to figure what works best for your setup. I can see if I have the exact part numbers that I used when I get home. Cheers, Michael
Hello RV Micheal Did you install anti-siphon check valves if not any woes I’m looking into a Smoke Systems kit for the RV7A Where did you connect the power wire Thanks
Hi William, the Smoking Airplanes kit that I used does have a check valve in the high pressure line. I have it up by my rudder pedals just before it hits the “T” that goes through the firewall. The power is controlled through the Vertical Power VP-X. I have their controls located on my right side arm rest. I also have momentary switch, the thumb position, on my control stick. You can see the left console in this post. www.rv8-hangar.com/consoles-and-wiring/
It’s food grade mineral oil, I get mine from Cozzini Cutting Supplies out of St. Louis. Their product is called Drakeol 7 LT MIN OIL NF. It makes great smoke and I get a lot of compliments. It doesn’t hurt that I have nozzles in two exhaust pipes vs one as well!
I just paid $399 for a 55gal barrel and we got two. The shipping for us to Chicago was $199 for the two barrels which put it right at $499 a barrel delivered.
So I didn’t save the receipt for this fittings unfortunately, as I have every other receipt in a 3” binder. I bought them from Summit Racing at www.summitracing.com. They are the Jiffy-tite brand and the 3000 series. That I do remember, look up that series and find the size AN fitting you need and grab the Male and Female ones that you need. They work great so far and no leaks or issues. Hope that helps a little!
Sweet looking RV you got there.
Thank you!
Nice video! Definitely will put a smoke system in my RV-8 when I finally get to that.
You won’t regret it! 😀
Wow this craftsmanship's what i'm aspiring to on my RV-8!
Thank you!
Beautiful. Wonderful job all round.
Thank you!
Congratulations Chandler!
He is on his way!
Nice and clean. Nice work.
Thank you!
Please follow up on this vid with 1) details on the vent plumbing 2) the high pressure plumbing through the fuse 3) the firewall penetration details 4) the FWF plumbing and 5) the electrical wiring, how you power it and the switch to control it. Any mods you’d make to your install if you could do it over?
Hi luckymacy. So I followed Smokingairplanes install instructions. The vent plumbing needs a high spot to prevent siphoning.
1)I ran the line up to my fill spout and then straight down through the baggage floor. It terminates at a pulled rivet that they supply. That rivet is placed on the outside of the bottom fuselage skin with the mandrel removed making it a port similar to a static port.
2) The high pressure line runs along the left hand side just outboard of the left most floor rib. I ran it through snap bushings and zip tied where needed. It runs forward through the gear tower and curves from the left forward side wall to the firewall. See in this blog post: www.rv8-hangar.com/control-sticks-smoke-oil-fill/
3) See the alcove post for the supplied T that they give you. Keep in mind I went with the two line firewall forward kit versus one line.
4) See this blog post for the firewall forward plumbing: www.rv8-hangar.com/smoke-system-spray-nozzles/
Again I just followed their instructions and where to place the nozzles. Keep in mind the clearance for the cowl as you may get rubbing if you are not careful.
5) They supply a panel for their switch and CB’s. I used their parts but incorporated them into my left side panel. See this blog post for a photo of that side console: www.rv8-hangar.com/consoles-and-wiring/
It is powered by the VP-X. I also have a remote momentary on switch on my control stick located at my right hand thumb spot. This is what I use for 90% of the time that way in an instant I can remove the power from the system by letting up on my thumb.
I wouldn’t change anything as I have it setup. It fills super easy with no mess. I can remove the system in under 15 minutes and install in the same time. I’m glad I went with the two nozzle as it produces a great mole trail. Hope that helps you and thanks for watching the video!
Regards,
Michael
Impressive! 👍🏻✌🏻🇨🇦
Thank you!
Hi -
Thanks for showing your build. I like the access panels.
I have a question if you have time.
On my -8 build, I’m looking at a lot of electrical forward right at and near firewall. So I was wondering how you solved water intrusion at forward baggage door. Did you protect equipment from water with any shielding?
Thanks,
Drum
Hi Drum, always willing to talk RV’s! So are you referring to the hinge area of the baggage door or around the remaining perimeter? Around the perimeter I didn’t do anything and have not had any issues so far. At the hinge line Vans tells you to use foam on DWG 84. I got that from McMaster Carr part #9334K36
Just a question off topic ,but what is the diameter of the stars and bars on the soft fuselage of your 8. Excellent build …
T Bone thanks for the compliment and for watching the videos. The fuselage star and bar overall width is 3' - 3 1/2" and the star width, from left point to right point, is 1' - 6".
Nice!
Thank you!
is that Ground Point next to the Smoke Oil Fill Live? or just for show?
It’s just a decal! 😁
@@therv-8pilot Thanks
If you connected the refill line to the other fitting on the tank would that give you better access to the cargo area (without the hose going diagonally across your access area?)
I tried to do just that with 5 different style hoses. The bend is pretty tight and the ones that were flexible enough kinked. The ones that wouldn’t kink would only go so far. So I settled for the “across the area” hose. It’s not that bad to get stuff around it. If I need the extra baggage I just remove the tank. Thanks for the comment!
@@therv-8pilot what if you put in a 60 or 90° elbow at the point the hose connects to the fuselage?
I looked at that option too however the filler cap assembly is a large “nipple” fitting. That meant I would need a small devotion of hose to a 90° that had “nipple” ends. I did try and it was just too bulky for my liking with all the extra parts.
Do you have idea about smoke system in helicopter?
I don’t but smokingairplanes.com might!
nice set-up can you post a link to the racing quick-couplers?
I don’t have the paperwork with me as I’m on a Untied trip now. Go to www.summitracing.com and search for Jiffy-tite quick disconnect fittings. There a lot of variations and you will need to figure what works best for your setup. I can see if I have the exact part numbers that I used when I get home.
Cheers,
Michael
@@therv-8pilot thx I'll poke around and see what I can find
Hello RV Micheal
Did you install anti-siphon check valves if not any woes
I’m looking into a Smoke Systems kit for the RV7A
Where did you connect the power wire
Thanks
Hi William, the Smoking Airplanes kit that I used does have a check valve in the high pressure line. I have it up by my rudder pedals just before it hits the “T” that goes through the firewall.
The power is controlled through the Vertical Power VP-X. I have their controls located on my right side arm rest. I also have momentary switch, the thumb position, on my control stick.
You can see the left console in this post.
www.rv8-hangar.com/consoles-and-wiring/
What is located at the ground point adjacent to the smoke oil fill?
That’s just a vinyl graphic to look like a real P-51 grounding point.
What kind of oil do you use and where do you get it?
It’s food grade mineral oil, I get mine from Cozzini Cutting Supplies out of St. Louis. Their product is called Drakeol 7 LT MIN OIL NF. It makes great smoke and I get a lot of compliments. It doesn’t hurt that I have nozzles in two exhaust pipes vs one as well!
@@therv-8pilot I installed a system from Smoking Airplanes with the two nozzle setup as well. Smoke oil is pricey, so I'm always looking for options.
I just paid $399 for a 55gal barrel and we got two. The shipping for us to Chicago was $199 for the two barrels which put it right at $499 a barrel delivered.
I have been searching for a quick change install. Can you share the part numbers and sources for the oil quick disconnects?
So I didn’t save the receipt for this fittings unfortunately, as I have every other receipt in a 3” binder. I bought them from Summit Racing at www.summitracing.com. They are the Jiffy-tite brand and the 3000 series. That I do remember, look up that series and find the size AN fitting you need and grab the Male and Female ones that you need. They work great so far and no leaks or issues. Hope that helps a little!
@@therv-8pilot THANKS!
😁