Why you need a smoke stopper | HOW TO MAKE A SMOKE STOPPER

[@keitharoo1962]

Cool, the polyfuse comes with an automatic "Destroy My Drone" feature.

[@mr-meek]

LOL

[@mokanin8894]

Joshua is one of the nicest guys in this hobby industry. I learn something from him everyday. So go ahead and support him. He deserves it!

[@droneee3478]

I plug all new quads into my 48v power supply just to weed out the weak ones in FIRE!!

[@trickn2819]

LOL FIRE!

[@Gibson99]

@@trickn2819 settle down Beavis...

[@trickn2819]

@@Gibson99 lol

[@jfh667]

Republican 101: Make healthcare expensive enough that people that dont make enough money self-weed out thru death. And if they suffer, let it be a lesson for everyone else: Get paid or get out !!!

[@ferdifant_fpv686]

Survival of the fittest

[@dartstartship4729]

I appreciate that you didn't edit out what happened with your solid state stopper. Thanks for keeping it real, JB!

[@hojen321]

I owe you big time, Joshua. Building two identical rigs. Built and used your smoke stopper for the first time on the first test of the first ESC/FC/motor combo and to my horror the light came on, meaning I have a short. No smoke, of course.... Same test on the second identical rig passed. Since I couldn't see any obvious difference between the two rigs, I swapped the connectors between ESC and FC and the previously failed rig now passed, with the ESC/FC chirping correctly. So it was a bad connector, which I have since fixed. Never would have guessed that. But found the problem quickly because I'm building two identical rigs. Your smoke stopper saved me a brand new rig: ESC, FC, motors. Thanks so much for posting.....

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Whew. It sounds like that was a close one.

[@d3c0deFPV]

This episode of Joshua Bardwell: FPV Know-It-All has been sponsored in part by ElectroBOOM™

[@ibfisher]

yeah, only he needs to yell and then get bleeped!!!!

[@GhostRyderFPV]

I read this, then immediately scrolled up to look at JBs eyebrow(s).

[@KrotowX]

Read this and instantly scrolled up to check is JB did started to develop unibrow. Update: oh sh..., he definitely fried that polyfuse :D Mnementh will be proud.

[@KrotowX]

@@ibfisher JB definitely should learn from Mehdi how to act if something on table begin to spark, magic smoke come out etc. :)

[@goaway4702]

That one wins the comments section imo

[@BrassStacks]

😅 Good stuff! I built a lightbulb smoke stopper as my first test project when I started this all and got my new soldering iron. Just remember that that bulb gets HOT and it WILL melt carpet! 😁

[@justinhealey-htcohio3798]

Josh..... That was F#&+-*g HILARIOUS!!!! Thank you! I was kind of having a bad day today. But after warching this Blooper you literally made my day!!!

[@AlexKretzschmar]

Thank you Josh! Loved this.

[@TommyGFPV]

Agreed, this made my day!

[@trickn2819]

A: glad you didn't wet your kilt. B: glad a total pro like JB isn't afraid to use a Fisher-Price heat gun/hair dryer. On a serious note I tried a pre-made stopper and the bulb was a useless wattage for my micros and minis. I have a couple bulb sockets, I may build one myself with swappable bulbs if I can figure out the wattages I need. Thanks for the hours you put in JB, you're one of the few we can't really do without.

[@ChinaHobbyLine]

I tried using one but unfortunately I still smoke. Going to try the patches next! Great content 👍

[@EagleFPV43]

Oh hello cnhl

[@joshchristensen9887]

thanks to you and some others....my first build is pretty much done. made a smoke stopper. plugged in quad. no shorts, no light. I can't believe I did it. thank you

[@LazerLord10]

I usually use a lab bench power supply with a current limit, but this is a good cheap way to do it. With the lab bench power supply, I can see the 'battery' voltage at which the high current is happening, which can help with diagnostics.

[@zet0korp]

That's the proper way when working on the bench. This way you are also making sure that you won't damage the battery due to excessive current drain

[@ChrisModjeska]

Thank you for this, never thought of it and I have lots of good bench power supplies and no smoke stopper haha

[@emgee44]

The best demonstrations are the ones that go wrong but you'e still able to carry on, and in this case you proved a most valuable point. Funny as hell too. 👍🤣 And I did learn something today.

[@fpvwing]

Throw a switch into the wire too, makes live so much easier

[@johncitizen3361]

Nice, I was going to mention one of the best things about a car light bulb smoke stopper is you can leave your props on and power it up on the bench safely but you demonstrated it for us. In fact that’s the thing I use my smoke stopper for the most often.

[@FPVisioning]

I smoked something on my first build I couldn't tell what, it was actually my ESC touching the carbon fiber! Nothing was damaged. Thanks for the tips!

[@invisibleaznDJ]

I smoked something too on my first buid ... It was green. JKJK

[@borg1874]

I smoked my first FC on my Wizard X220. Now I always have one by me.

[@Averell64]

@@borg1874 I smoked my fc in my first build as well, best thing was that everything was wired properly except for the xt60, which I gloriously soldered on the wrong way.... No idea how that slipped past me but the good thing is - im never gonna solder an xt60 on the wrong way ever again -_-

[@mike1why]

I do love the irony with that poly fuse gizmo. Good ideas on the DIY version. I think I'll put a latching pushbutton switch on mine to simplify receiver binding.

[@psychwardfpv4353]

That is a freaking great idea!!!

[@KrotowX]

By the way some online shops still sell those polyfuse ripoffs which will smoke themselves and your model circuitry with it.

[@sunshynff]

That is so weird that I just saw your post, I just got finished making one, it's not a smoke stopper though. Had old tactical light for my .223 I don't use anymore, and took the button circuit board out of the rubber piece and de-soldered the wire. Took two xt60's with some wire still attached (I always save connectors) 1male 1female, soldered the two red wires from xt60s together, then soldered each black wire to opposite ends of the button. Hot glued a little short screw to the actual button to make it easier to push, some heat shrink and bam, no more needing three hands to bind my quads..lol.

[@Gibson99]

by twisting the leads together on the bulb, you made it a 32W bulb: 25W for the bright filament + 7w for the dim filament. doesn't change the 3A current draw, but felt like it needed pointing out. you could instead use a 3156 single-filament bulb and that really will be ~25W. I recommend a little peanut-sized 168 bulb for tiny whoops - they only use about 5w.

[@donaldwaddel4600]

I haven't laughed out loud today until I saw you short the poly fuse!!! 🤣

[@hondablack1]

Hi Joshua, brilliant, hilarious video, just started watching your echine build series. Big thumbs up from UK here. Just a nitpick really but the bulb you are using is not a headlamp bulb (with high and low beam) but an American spec stop/tail light bulb. Hence 27 and 7 watts respectively. In the UK we have 21/5 watt equivalent. It looks to me that you have put the two in parallel, so you using 34 watt total. 4s batt about 15v. P=IV, so yeah 2.26 Amps, allowing for inaccuracies of a clip on ammeter. Just ordered my Tyro kit off Bangood and really looking forward to the build. Crack on buddy.

[@aenochfpv9863]

Well done sir! So funny! Thoroughly enjoyable and informative and precisely why I contribute on patreon. You’re a real service to the community and we’d all be a lot less knowledgeable without you. Thanks for taking us all along on your journey..it’s a great ride! 👍

[@dvmdoc]

Your genuine cracking up is making me crack up Joshua....!!!

[@jackd6134]

Needed a smoke-stopper for the smoke-stopper... This video alone is a reason to support Joshua. Will check my Patreon account.

[@seandolan]

Ha LOL I love how real your vids are 😁😊 Thanks for the update 👍 You provide a great service Joshua ✌️💕😎

[@MrPsyfresh]

I have to thank you Joshua, i have like a month on this excelent World of Fpv, bought my Taranis and now practicing on DRL simulator waiting form my fat shark HD3 with rapid fire, Cross Fire Mini and all my Quad Parts to arrive this week. everything i learn i learn from you so far. Ones am able to make some more cash i will definitely suport you on patreon THATS A PROMISE!! Much Respect from Guatemala!!

[@HDgodfrey]

(To other viewers: click his vendor links and then bookmark that page. Then user that bookmark to start all your shopping at said vendor. Super easy way to help him out) To JB: Ive never seen you so tickled. I'm going to get fired for laughing. You made me look crazy (at least I'm going to blame you) love your content! Keep killing it!

[@RCinginSC]

Although after about a dozen builds, I've never had a problem, I think I'm convinced to build a smoke stopper. Thx 🤘😁👍

[@MatsGF]

Your laugh and giggle on this was worth it alone. Keep up the good work I learn so much . Thanks!

[@afrog2666]

One more use for a smoke stopper: discharging a pack down to nominal voltage, if you charged too many packs and suddenly you`re not using them for instance after a crash, bad weather, or uhhm, you fell and hurt your wrist or something :o Sure, many have that function on their charger(s), but many don`t. 12V halogen bulbs for desklamps etc. also work, but they can get REALLY hot, so keep that in mind ;) Also, use a multimeter or voltmeter so you know where the voltage is actually at, shouldn` t have to mention that, but here I am, mentioning it :p

[@DanRogers1985]

Multimeter + smoke stopper is what I use to test every new build. Along with testing as I build to make sure each component works.

[@AlexReschka]

One of my favorite videos you have done lol

[@DOOMRiderfpv]

Dude I love your laugh 🤣

[@vampcaff]

I just plug the battery in and watch the fireworks!

[@ObsequiousV4]

I absolutely love the real time reaction of the smoke stopper mistake. Good old electricity

[@jeremiedupont8696]

Thanks for the tip! Building 2 right now! And I just love that T-Shirt!!!!!!

[@mathieuf.2788]

Made one right after my first build... I had to cross my fingers with that one but not any more. I used a 3 amp circuit breaker after reading an article on Propwashed.com. Two worthy notes from the recent past, 1- I smoked an FC with the smoke stopper on (the FC must have had some damage and shorted using less than 3 amps since it didn't trip), 2- I was puzzled after checking motor directions with the smoke stopper on, not anymore since I now have learned that operating one motor at a time at the low speeds I used wouldn't draw more than 3 amps. Thanks a bunch and I had a really good laugh with you.

[@speedophile5]

Best Bardwell video ever!

[@sparrow082]

Oh I absolutely agree with you! I Cote every solder joint after they've cooled with conformal coding regardless of how good of a soldering jod I've think I've done. I had the tiniest blob of solder from a +5v pad which was right next to an positive ESC pad, they weren't touching but they were closed enough when I plugged in hey 16 volt battery they might as well have been one pad, and wouldn't you know it those kind of shorts don't show up with a multimeter. 🙃

[@KrotowX]

It happens more than you think :) Me once did a stunt with XT60 battery connector soldered in opposite polarity in middle of night. And quad didn't fried only because one of battery pads on flight controller board had cold soldering and fell of on battery connecting. Looking over boards with zooming lens after soldering tiny things should be a mandatory habit for every DIY-er.

[@zanpekosak2383]

A computer PSU has intergrated short circuit protection and can output 3.3V 5V and 12V. You can get 7V or 9V out with correct plug placement. Its an awesome tool for every drone maker.

[@bytewelder]

Great video! I followed the steps and made my own smoke stopper 👍

[@nyvinchenz9430]

I'm sure someone said this those are blinker bulbs but thank you for the tip and if you burn out one side just switch the wires to the other pole of the bulb

[@Jamesn-js1zp]

Great video and a good laugh. Though, I once borrowed 2 brand new 25-watt smoke stoppers to a friend and it still beets me how he managed to smoke two new top-range 4-1 ECS, one straight after the other...the smoke stoppers didn't prevent the smoke from happening. Therefore, from experience 3 amps is still plenty enough to create smoke and my lesson learnt from the experience is that I triple check my solder work and inspect everything under a scope before plugging anything in.

[@du4-fpv777]

I needed a smoke stopper a few days ago. I'm making one now.... And knew about them 2 years ago when you came out with the first video about them... I'm learning... Sometimes the hard way.

[@PowerScissor]

Who knew a short circuit could bring Joshua so much joy. I know what I'm getting him for his birthday...

[@JohnFSmitheugene]

Now that was truly a great video. Damn, you do work hard at thinking things through, or even all the way through. I did not know about using one as a battery protector on the bench. I did not know that you could "safe" your drone on the bench with props because it won't let enough current to flow to make the motors run fast enough to hurt you. Sort of like it converts the Whirling Blades of Death into the Spinning Polypropylenes of Ouch. So, yes, I learned a lot somethings today. Awesome stuff! Thank you very much.

[@ByeJon]

I also use mine with the “Discharge +” setting on my Reaktor charger to boost its built in discharging ability. It’ll boost it from 1-2amp to about 5amps discharge, just by adding the one bulb. 💡

[@crazzydutchman]

Learnt something today. 10/10 will eat here again.

[@sxt9169]

Lab power supply is the way to go. Set up a current limit like 1A and you can even troubleshoot the short circuit by touching and feeling which component is hot.

[@starsstripesjacket]

I used to be an auto tech so i have a ton of those bulbs sitting in my toolbox, now i can put them to use :)

[@WilkieaSt]

Thanks just made one it pulls 2 amps at 4S! Have previously smoked 2 FCs and an ESC so am glad to have come across this video. Cheers

[@zanpekosak2383]

I was really lucky at one point during calibration when I did the rookie mistake and was trying motors with my props on. The third motor, my mouse slipped and it shot full throttle at my hand. I had a lot of cleanup to do after and luckly BF's great protection shut the motor off when the quad tilted to much. I can see that if I had this it would save my hand that day.

[@mrtrendizzle]

I found out heat expands metal and a short circuit is not visible while cold but once you apply power and that short is warmed up enough to expand the short is created and causes issues. Found this with my computers motherboard. Would work just fine when first powered up, but as soon as i tried to load say Chrome my PC would trip and shut down (PSU protection) Tested with a multimeter and everything was fine.... Only worked it out when my PSU failed to trip and a small section of my motherboard burnt out that connects a few capacitors together. The short was a small dent in the board itself and separated while the board was cold.

[@talksickFPV]

I’m a little late to this.. but just wanted to say wow! I bet that was quite an “ah-ha” moment… This is good information to have in my mental troubleshooting archive. And good job on actually figuring out what the culprit was there!

[@subzero674]

Awesome, thanks! I LMAO when the polyfuse thing smoked. I imagine the light bulb would have saved a quad I smoked with a stray screw two weeks ago.

[@awaitingthetrumpetcall4529]

I just subscribed because you know how to repair quadcopter PCB's and I can always find something I want to know about. What just occurred to me while watching your video is that I should be able to compare a DIY ESC signal to a commercial ESC signal on my '2 channel' oscilloscope. I obviously can't see all three phases at once but I can copy, save and then overlay a composite trace which would allow me to see the third 120° phase. At that point I should be able to compare the behavior of the commercial ESC with my DIY circuit... But first, I have to make a 'smoke stopper!

[@hcarltonadams]

Built one after watching and it already saved me.

[@michaelwilkes0]

i learned a new hot glue and heat shrink trick :)

[@jonnitheeagle1153]

How to get smoke... Buy a start smoker lol😂 It killed me...😎

[@rokiesinclair]

Thanks for the Lesson, i break my first Stack even i know theres something wrong with alot of mosfet and mostly people even the seller insisted that my Quad is Ok, and guess what, my ESC is gone now. My next purchase of FC stack shows the same pattern like previous accidents, something wrong beeping from Multimeter, finally the seller agreed for refund...looking for the good FC now. thanks for the video

[@noobFPV]

I got one of those smoke sto.. starters as a gift from Aliexpress. I'm a gonna disassemble it for parts.

[@vhfgamer]

I made one JB. But I didn't use one of dem fancy modern bulbs, but the kind I use in my car. The 1157 bulb.

[@shakeyjakefpv7855]

I just wanted to add that if you go to a junkyard, the day time running lamp socket on a 90s -2000s truck houses this bulb so you can change the bulb if it blows.

[@DivisionRc]

Perfect timing. About to finish my. First 5” build and the scary part is coming up. I bought a smoke stopper but might go make one myself now

[@elvedinzdionica9732]

Automotive glass fuse that comes in housing with spring inside is also a solution, it's mainly used for audio systems on cars but works on quads too.

[@FLHTdriver]

This is really easy to make and it saves lots'O $$$. You can also use a 0.5 amp inline fuse, easy to change if you do have a short.

[@8B1tbreaks]

I can’t count how many times I’ve watched this dude lol I’m f*n rolling over here 🤣love your laugh, man, you sound so tickled hahaha

[@tekeraq]

This is a fire extinguisher that puts outs fires.... haaa kind of :) Now the DYI smoke stopper great idea, learned something new today

[@spokehedz]

Honestly, I'd make a couple of super long wires for the constant current power supply, and have a smokestopper on the end--the bright light is way, WAY more noticable for quick reactions--and not a weak alarm beep, if your power supply even has one. So even to those guys (Me) with a constant current benchtop power supply... Why not make some long cables that will protect you even further? I'm just getting into FPV, and i'm seeing a lot of good advice on this channel.

[@nathaniel7238]

3:26 "You're really fillin' me with a lot of confidence, Doc."

[@williamwellisch960]

Thanks Josh, finally made one right before testing my new build!! Fingers crossed...

[@A3Kr0n]

People used to use that technique with a light bulb to prevent them from dying while working on vacuum tube projects back in the old skool days.

[@pkvillager]

The best tool I have never used... Thankfully I have only killed 1 ESC and 1 VTX not using a smoke stopper in over 4 years in the hobby. While just a month ago or so I killed a Rush Race VTX under volting it :( due to a bad solder bridge...

[@MouwDown]

Joshua bardwell, I feel like you were thinking of a post I made on RDQ group on the facebook . Lots of opinions on there. I went ahead and purchased a light bulb version because of the advise you gave me on there.

[@slaggedfpv599]

That made my day that little blooper.. Still a great video, very informative..

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Oh, man, you were having WAY too much fun with the defective polyfuse smoke stopper. :D

[@borg1874]

Hey Joshua, great video with comic relief. I actual made a deluxe model smoke stopper with a rocker switch for low and high voltage uses. You can find Bill Anderson's deluxe smoke stopper video on KZbin. Best regards...

[@Kageitenshi]

Made a smoke stopper out of an automotive 2A fuse with XT60 connectors a couple weeks ago to set up a F722 5.5" quad. As I was verifying motor directions and RX settings using a 12V 30A PSU, I accidentally touched the positive alligator clip to the negative lead on one of the ESCs, despite electrical tape around most of the clip, popping the fuse. Could've gotten ugly and expensive without it, had it touched some other exposed part.

[@throughtube8693]

4:17 annnnd subscribed! From my own experience, I chose too small a wattage bulb for a 10 inch build, that I really didn’t want to smoke, and the light was turning on just from the audible beeps the motor makes (for context, it was two 12v - 4 watt bulbs in series) Initially thought something was wrong so disconnected the battery really quick, but now know better the SS is an indicator, current limiter, AND a fuse so it's safe to leave connected. Probably put myself through a lot of extra work, but in the end better safe than sorry.

[@MikkoRantalainen]

Get some bulbs designed for trucks because those can deal with 24 V. Just select small bulbs (e.g. instrument lighting bulbs) if you want to limit the current more.

[@jas-FPV]

Add a switch ! Makes it even better to turn off fast or binding frsky

[@Hijo-del-Chico]

Sorry man I don't understand very good English, but I love the quads, your possibly explain my for what is necessary? I don't understand all right!! Thank so much bro!

[@Frosttyy12]

I need that shirt !

[@allengerhard9513]

I just want to say thank you cuz that's the greatest video I have ever learned. I've got your bored and you're 4 in 1 and I love it. Although I did Smash one ESC so I had to replace the 4 in 1. Keep up the great work I enjoy it

[@allengerhard9513]

May have worded that wrong either way this video definitely helped me

[@allprocontrolsandmanufactu9212]

Just to point out... If you use a higher cell battery, your current cap will go down, not up. ohm's law, Amps = Watts /Volts. And your in a series circuit so current is the same at all points and voltage can differ. This is why you get better flight times with a 6s over a 4s at the same amp rating.

[@carrboro_chapelhillfpv2442]

Wow, the arm with smoke stopper is an idea I have never thought of.

[@simonsaucy]

Thanks for the video JB I was just wondering how to do it. BTW that laugh is so funny 😂.

[@rocheuro]

thanks for that nice tip Joshua!

[@jeroeniemans]

This is so hilirious, whenever im down imjust looking this episode to crack myself up!

[@pippifpv]

Great video. Once reversed the battery leads on an 4i1 esc. The multimeter didn't notice, but a smoke stopper might have saved my esc

[@MCsCreations]

Hey, Joshua, a tip: cut the black wire and solder a switch in the between. 😊 It helps a LOT to bind and so on. 😃 I made one this way, but I used a light bulb holder. Easier to change in case of any accident. 😊

[@frankbarajas]

Great tip!

[@MCsCreations]

@@frankbarajas I even recorded the step by step process, speaking in Portuguese and English... But I couldn't finish the video yet. 😕

[@frankbarajas]

@@MCsCreations Finish her off bro, it doesn't count until the deed is done...But then I again, I'm famous for not finishing stuff...lol

[@MCsCreations]

@@frankbarajas The problem is that I can't speak straight right now... Long history, but because of the robbery that entered my home and attacked me in late 2017 I ended losing a few of my front tooth... I'm having to put implants and so on. 😕 So, until I finish it I can't do much. 😕

[@frankbarajas]

MC's Creations - Oh wow, I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. From my own personal experience I can say it can take a very long time to fully recover, if ever, from things like that. Hope it goes well for you my friend.

[@AndreySemjonov]

There is a solution for 6S :) Just use 4S battery (if you have) for new builds etc. It works fine for me.

[@AngryPepper1964]

Joshua, I’m new to fpv and want to say I love your videos and thank you for sharing your knowledge. If I want to start building my own, could you recommend any books or learning materials of how to start the building process. Thanks.

[@psychwardfpv4353]

Thanks JB I definitely learned something today! Using your link to order 2 from RDQ.

[@jasonstotts895]

I basically use a 3 AMP blade fuse instead of the bulb, seems to cover all my bases regardless of the quad I'm working on. They're built the same way you built the light bulb version.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

If you use a fast-blow fuse, then this is okay, but the problem with it is this: you hit the arm switch one time, or your motor beeper draws too much current, and bam, you blew a fuse. Now you're out a dollar or fifty cents or however much the fuses are. Every time you blow a fuse, you have to have a spare on hand or your smoke stopper doesn't work any more. The light bulb version works basically an infinite number of times.

[@kllngii4892]

I use a lab power supply as a smoke stopper and it works great.

[@stevefox3763]

Powering up indoors with the props on, I can relate to that. Had a plane with an 800w motor swinging a sharp 12" prop come at me in my living room and put me in hospital. Arm received 22 lacerations in about 1/10th of a second, 18 of them very deep, scarred for life but I still haven't learnt my lesson and never remove props out of laziness lol. I am more careful about where I am in relation to the prop whenever power is involved though and ether secure things down or make sure I'm behind it (most of the time) but did recently take a huge chunk out a couple fingers with a 450 quad that I accidentally armed and had to choose face or hands, the hands lost ha ha.

[@copypastor]

Thank you Josh! But, that does not stop the 'smoke' from 5V components: RX, Camera, and then BEC on FC (!) etc. And I think it is much easier to mess the 5V wiring. VBAT wiring is usually pretty straightforward.

[@therustyfareye]

...the giggles, hilarious...🤘🤣

[@MrRolloTamasi]

I just use my lab power supply - it also limits the current. And shows voltage and current. Perfect for bench work on a quad.

[@kanenstuff]

Thanks for the vid i have a 3157 and will try this as my old smoke stopper wasnt up to the job cheers

[@MikeJackman]

Bench Power supply. The quad only needs ~300 - 500ma at startup. Also, super convenient, you don't even know what you can use it for until you have it.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Not easy to transport though.

[@MikeJackman]

​@@JoshuaBardwell Yeah I saw you mentioned that. I still take it to multi-day events. However, the utility of it can't be overstated. It's a must have have once you get to the soldering your own boards stage.