My Sonex's Smoke System, How You Can DIY Your Own

Today I'm answering a question from another Sonex owner who asked how my smoke system was put together and what was used to do so. Hopefully, this can help all of you piece together your own, while saving some money doing so.
You can buy a complete system to install in your Experimental aircraft, but you're going to be in the $800-$1000 range. This system can be put together starting around $250 on up to who knows. That part is up to you. How good of a scrounger and deal finder are ya?
👉 My system consists of:
1. Oil Tank: (Mine honestly looks more like an air tank to me. You could fab your own.)
2. Brass Fittings: (One 90°, one "T", couple adapters, you local hardware store should have 'em.)
3. Braided Plastic Tubing, 1/4" I.D.: amzn.to/3pDty7C
4. 12V Oil Pump: amzn.to/32VZHh1
5. Inline Ball Valve: (local hardware store when you buy fittings.)
6. Steel Tubing: (Auto parts store or some injector kits include the line.)
7. Oil Injector Assembly: www.smoke-syst...
8. Oil System Master Switch: (Use what ever you want appropriately rated for the circuit load.)
9. Activation Switch: (Use what ever you want appropriately rated for the circuit load.)
💳 Otherwise a complete system can be ordered here:
www.aircraftsp...
www.smoke-syst...
(Not affiliate links.)
👉 The "$250 Smoke System" featured in Kitplanes, with parts list:
www.kitplanes....
👉 An excellent write up from Graeme Wilson on his Sonex:
sonexbuilders.n...
👍👍👍 Thanks for watching! 👍👍👍
🚨***This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only! Left Seat Adventures is not responsible for and SHALL NOT be held liable for the decisions YOU make and the system YOU install in YOUR or ANY OTHER airplane or vehicle.***🚨
🎥 Footage Attributions 📸
"Smoke On" video from Tom Huebbe's TH-cam channel at:
• Smoke On
(c) 2011 - Mark Huebbe
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
(I absolutely love this video, including it here is my tribute to Tom Huebbe and his family. Thanks for keeping his channel active, such great content.)
#diy #experimentalaircraft #smokeon #revmaster #howto #answer #answeringfanquestions #taildragger #homebuilt #kitplane #lightsportaircraft #firstflight #leftseatlife #sonex #sonexaircraft #lightsport
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[@graemejwsmith]

Thanks, I'm going to use a translucent oil tank (so no need for the clear hose to show the level). I agree - the supply is NOT going through the firewall like that. It's going low in a corner with a bulkhead fitting. Pump is going on the forward face of the firewall - low so it is basically gravity feed to the pump and the high pressure runs will be minimal and in the engine compartment. On the AeroVee the recommendation from Marvin at Smoke System Helper (www.smoke-system-helper.com/) is to inject on each side of the engine - much higher up than your system shows - basically as soon as the exhaust leaves the valve and JUST below the EGT sensor. I got his "small bore" injectors and will use flexible stainless braided pressure hose with AN couplings. Might just keep it to a simple single switch on the panel - though the trigger on the stick is nice.

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Cool, definitely seems like a better way to go Graeme.
I do like the push button on the stick as well, keeps running until I turn it off.

[@catherineharris4746]

Outstanding!👍👍👍

[@sipho.tography]

Nice video-- exactly what I was looking for

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Excellent, glad it helped. I can honestly say now the system does work, makes lots of smoke.

[@peterp696]

Thanks for the video

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Absolutely! 👍

[@TheCyclingArtist]

I was going to build a H5 Hummel but now I am leaning to one of these.

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Awesome! Give in to the Sonex side... 🤣🤣🤣
I was considering a Hummel H5 as well, there was a gorgeous polished example when I was looking. However, the single seat was not "wife approved." The Sonex/ Waiex really offer a lot of bang for the buck, and prices have come down on legacy models since the B models came out.

[@markpitts5194]

I've said it to many friends :- "instant 12 year old, just add smoke system!"

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

😆😆😆

[@AirplaneDetective]

What kind of oil are you burning? This stuffs expensive…

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Mine came with a 5 gallon bucket of concrete form release oil, but I honestly haven't used it. That is supposed to be cheaper, but there's concerns about whether or not it's "safe" to use. However, I recommend doing a group buy on a drum of proper smoke oil to save $$$. Lower per gallon cost on a bulk buy. Find a couple guys at your local airport to go in together. Or sometimes someone who has a drum can sell you a couple gallons at the bulk rate. One of the Sonex guys also mixed his with diesel.

[@thomasweis]

Just use diesel. That's what the Red Arrows use. I worked with them on an event.

[@markpitts5194]

these days we are using something akin to baby oil. Non toxic, smells nice, and you come out moisturised ! Comes in the big blue steel bongos. Several of the guys (and gal) pitch in together to get a full (55 gal ?) drum.

[@AirplaneDetective]

@@markpitts5194 who’s the distributor

[@peterp696]

@@markpitts5194 do you remember the name of this baby smoke oil?

[@shaneb9821]

Third!!!

[@LeftSeatAdventures]

Sixth! 🤣