Your smoke stopper is lying to you. Here's the truth.

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A smoke stopper is supposed to tell you when your quad has a fault that would smoke your electronics. So why do they sometimes light up even when nothing is wrong? The answer is more obvious than you think.
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-- TABLE OF CONTENTS --
0:00 - Intro
1:05 - Three different types of smoke stopper
1:40 - Shorting a lipo safely
2:28 - Light bulb smoke stopper works differently
3:25 - The big problem with smoke stoppers
4:16 - Why your smoke stopper is lying!
6:39 - Light bulb smoke stoppers can also lie
7:33 - How do you know if your smoke stopper is lying
9:37 - Conclusion

[@JoshuaBardwell]

To everybody saying, "Just use a multimeter." Multimeter are great and I show in this video how to use one to detect faults. But multimeter cannot protect against all faults. What if you have a battery plugged in and you are testing the FC with a multimeter and you accidentally short circuit two pads with the multimeter probe. Smoke stopper will save you. What if you have an ESC that is damaged so it's going to smoke the motor as soon as you plug in? Smoke stopper will save you. So please, please stop with this macho "I don't need a smoke stopper" BS. If you don't want to use one more power to you. It absolutely has a place though.

[@pattivanblindflug3052]

That already happened to me! Fried a FC with the Multimeter! 🥺

[@nashfpv2986]

I don't use one but I always recommend them. The 3 melted FCs I have are proof of why you should use one lol. I'm just cheap lazy and reckless

[@smoke2584]

yep. fried my fc-esc-vtx on that plugged lipo while doing the multimeter. lol

[@user-yk1cw8im4h]

why are u guys probing a fc when power is connected tho, that’s just dumb

[@CidFFVII]

Your not supposed to use a multimeter while power is on anyway. Only if your checking amperage and that is a protected circuit in the multimeter

[@Lozoot2]

Joshua Bardwell is... _The QuadFather_ _"lipos are a dish best served un-puffed."_

[@JoshuaBardwell]

WHY DID IT LIE TO ME. I TRUSTED IT.

[@trevorimpulsebuyguy6398]

I'm Henry Rollins and your going to learn YOUR A LIAR smoke stopper

[@strattonford2557]

The music killed me lmfao

[@markcloudchaser874]

I don't fly FPV yet, but I know not to fly it with a smoke stopper lol, thanks to you JB 👊💯 a mean its common sense

[@BaldmanFPV]

At least its lying in the safe way lol.

[@lordhenrix1510]

My smoke stopper tripped while testing In The motors tab at 75% throttle. I removed the smoke stopper and smoked the motor in the back. Any tips to get me flying again? I have a 4 in 1 hglrc zeus35

[@SkyCandyVisuals]

How in the hell did you stay serious without laughing in that first minute is beyond me 🤣🤣

[@JoshuaBardwell]

images.app.goo.gl/yQYrgY61uxYLEUf68

[@cj691]

I highly doubt this was a first take.

[@SkyCandyVisuals]

@@JoshuaBardwell 👏👏👏bravo encore!

[@wjadams2]

@@JoshuaBardwell GENIUS!

[@wearemany73]

@@JoshuaBardwell bravo 👏 Sir Bravo 🎉

[@pattivanblindflug3052]

Omg! Joshua, did you really plug the Lipo to a 9“ on the bench with props on? Kids, don’t try that at home! 😱

[@scottwilliamson3210]

No props on the bench!

[@Gosuminer]

Ambitious indeed

[@Trial4life]

The smoke stopper would have prevented the props from spinning too fast, as he explains at 09:21

[@vhfgamer]

Oh calm your tits. The drone was upside down. It's fine.

[@patriciascheer6531]

@@Trial4life Yes, that is right! But at 4:11 he removed the smoke stopper!

[@padmanabhabanerjee4334]

Joshua Bardwell - I am going to give you a lesson you cannot refuse !!

[@andrewut7ya511]

Lmao re-FUSE

[@padmanabhabanerjee4334]

@@andrewut7ya511 I wanted to do the pun without the stress on the fuse 😁😁. You made it more obvious.

[@BuddhaFpv]

i was literally just using this vifly smoke stopper and wondering why it was tripping, even on kwads that i knew were good to go...makes sense thanks!

[@BetweenFloors2]

Thank you just the video I was looking for

[@DougEfresh.]

Good to know thanks. Awesome shirt BTW!!

[@GhostRyderFPV]

Part one was published May 22, 2019. That's how you know Josh cares.

[@steigj]

nice color grade and post, and that's just the start. Thanks for the excellent info.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Thank you too!

[@segpie]

That was very informative. Excellent video. Thanks Joshua. 👍

[@rockcityfpv9117]

That intro was PRACTICED!

[@MorganHill8]

Thanks Josh I bought the smoke stopper after you made the first video about it. I built my first quad and it's tripping every time. I will go check a few of the things you mentioned in this video.

[@B3NSipodtouch]

Keep up the great content I can’t wait to meet you this weekend brother!

[@melmar4224]

Wow Bro some of your intros put a smile on my face when I've had a bad day

[@chrisB_OG]

YES! Excellent video pal

[@flowstate_link]

I built my lightbulb smoke stoppers by just joining a couple together in series. Have not had any issues with this approach. Basically in series the lightbulb style smoke stopper will work fine. For me this worked well as I started on 4S and then when I moved to 6S primarily I just built a second one. The nice thing about this approach is that it also works with 4S and probably lower cell counts. The big thing for me is it is very large and clear no wondering if the settings are right … just remember 4S one light bulb 6S two lightbulbs 💡

[@GenixxFPV]

HOW DARE YOU STEAL A PINK POWER PACK!!!!!-YRZ

[@Dannyk636]

ENTERTAINMENT GOAT!!! Amazing skit in the beginning lol

[@FPSDROP]

Lol, 3:24 when he casually takes out that 9" quad :D made me smile more than intro :D

[@HolaACchillin]

The best intro ever! Top work dude!

[@GregQuillen]

Yea I had a quad that would trip when esc played music 🎶 its 1A setting was really like 0.8A and would trip. I have that vifly it is so great.. love the power button.. Also have the small single ones

[@PitchoDrone]

Long time video but ... Best intro ever ! 😁

[@sburnham3]

love the background music ....

[@fpvnips7657]

I use a desktop power supply. Start with voltage at 0 and slowly ramp up while watching the current draw. The only way to go for me!

[@scooterfpv8864]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 YES! Love the intro brotherman!!! 🙌10 !!! Darn skippy I use the ViFly smoke stopper on any of my new or rebuilt builds. OR the bulb technique. Something is better than nothing as David says.

[@wearemany73]

I’m not going to tell JB what’s what cuz he’s the GOAT but maybe the technical term he was searching for was “internal resistance” 🤓 Great Video🙂❤️

[@loganishere4760]

THE INTRO. Amazing.

[@stevebienkens38]

Total badass.. you gonna learn something today.. 😅 love the bot shirt 💪

[@IoFPV]

I was waiting for this video

[@jocthranduil]

lol that's the best intro :) I just bought my vifly today :D but I want to make your ultra smoke stopper box with switches ^. ^ Thanks for sharing

[@tylerharrisfpv5066]

3:00 BUBBY'S BATTERY

[@l1nuser]

Quality of the intro straight outta hollywood

[@neilfpv]

The GodFather! Nice one Joshua! Btw, I just did a continuity test on my quadcopter. There is a continuity. You said it's not good if I'm not mistaken. However, I've been flying this quad whole time. Oh caps!

[@toddmcclure757va2]

Mine has done that too...I use the vifly2

[@joshuayoung6286]

I always check continuity first…. Most chargers have power output modes you can set voltage and current and will trip if either exceeds the limit. Great alternative to a smoke stopper.

[@KATchUL8rFPV]

Soo helpful and soo glad I already realized smoke stoppers are kinda bs lol only 2 I ever had smoked were both connected to smoke stoppers when it happened. At least if using one now people can use this knowledge to help determine if a fault or normal.

[@roadrunner63]

Hilarious Intro love it.

[@FrancoFlights]

Yeaaa it also doesn't always stop the smoke!! I was given a bad ESC from the factory and one of the FETs on it was a little off. I didn't notice until I saw the magic smoke, while using a smoke stopper. I guess It was still pulling under an amp : (

[@rumbatimba]

Wow! You have a career as an "Actor" Awesome! FPV is a Bonus!

[@Giroworm3D]

'who got to you?' loved the intro lol :D

[@lanegrippy1054]

The music in the beginning, went into stealth mode for some Zombie killing lol

[@The.Meat.Sweats]

Lol holy moly that intro was great

[@neail5466]

I believe the whole concept is to minimise the damage, upto a point when it's still repairable- like better than blowing up a trace on the PCB.

[@4DCResinSmoker]

Quads with low internal resistance (Whoops & 1S Quads) can appear as electrical shorts. While really large quads with high start-up currents will trip a Smoke-Stopper. Trick is to know a enough about electronics so you know what to expect for the "scale" of quad your working on.

[@Swissler777]

Love this intro!

[@swatafpv1183]

Best start :D

[@eraguate]

LOL! You will soon get proposals from Hollywood and a nomination to the Oscar's

[@tizio5103]

The first time I came across this, I was attempting to test motor spin direction on a smoke stopper. Took about a half hour to figure out my dumb mistake.

[@kcmoto6507]

Anyone else notice ViFly misspelled blue? Green, no problem. Red, easy. Yellow, nailed it. Blue, “BULE”.

[@DronePlayground]

Best intro 👍👍

[@jessjoshwyatt3571]

Haha love the intro!

[@GordianHubclan]

Great video! Loved the Intro With 2x the lightbulb smoke stopper, it should work fine with 6S batteries, or?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

If they are in series yes.

[@stevefox3763]

I run my bench from an ATX psu, it shuts down super fast if there is a short / current spike, no need for any other device.

[@douglasyoung3992]

2021 was a tough year for all of us but you were pretty harsh on that 3157 bulb Josh

[@miquelmarti6537]

coolest t-shirt ever!

[@3dprintingworld756]

Haha banger video as always. Keep flying 😁

[@olibpics]

@joshua then how to test the esc before burning the motor? Can you test the motor spinning direction with the smoke stopper?

[@izzlate]

Most epic JB intro ever! :-D

[@evelfpv]

The best intro ever 😂

[@pitchitfpv]

you can press and hold the on/off button on the vivfly shortsaver 2 until the yellow light turns off and begins to bink and then press the button again to adjust the current sensitivity to low/medium/high and then press and hold it again to exit.

[@buttertoasttv2066]

I just love that intro😂

[@MrSofu]

A good alternative if you don't want to purchase a smoke stopper is to use a Lab bench power supply, you can regulate the voltage and current you want to feed to the drone and it's very useful for other electronic projects. You can find a simple one for quite cheap.

[@duffs1080]

Love the skit 🤣

[@boshuajardwell2097]

You deserve an Oscar for this intro 🤣🤣🤣

[@OMikeG]

I'm watching this video right now with a smoke stopper in my hand and sweating profusely.

[@spchips]

Gotta start linking your shirts

[@FlaemmchenFlame]

This is great :D

[@VideoBoat]

Josh, this same thing had me going, because I hooked up my Roma, to set it up in BF.. What I didn't know is that either BF or the default settings of the FC starts to make the motors sing around 6:20 or so.. it must be a lost beeper locator. it freaked me out because it was fine until it happen at the same time when setting up a friend's Roma.,, That's when I noticed the time similarities..

[@farmersfpv5489]

Loved this intro. Legit had me laughing out loud hard.

[@jacksonannesley112]

This video probably saved me hours of headache😂

[@MrStreetboy80]

I was about to tear apart an esc because of throttle trip! I didn’t even give it a thought it tripping out when I throttle up the motors 😂 I guess a 2 amp fuse smoke stopper wouldn’t like throttle current, it’s an heli s esc so i switched wires to reverse a couple of motors instead of messing around with heli s suite and thought I screwed it up! All motors now spin correct and smoke stopper doesn’t trip just being plugged in so il go with that.

[@theHotpointHoodlum]

So scary! I will never be the same

[@FlyturboKwad]

I’mJoshua Bardwell and your going to unlearn something today!

[@TweakRacer]

My ViFly Shortsaver v1 is useless. Trips on the 2A setting just powering up a 4S 5" build with a Vista and large low-ESR cap.

[@jas-FPV]

The little iflight chargers have a constant current power source, also perfekt as smoke stopper Also you can test a 6s copter with as little as 8 volts. If there is an issue, you will find it anyway….

[@dalemurray6834]

never used a smoke stopper, never had a problem, double and triple check everything. although I do close eyes and pray when I plug in. might get one after the first burn out.

[@LeonMatthews]

For the light-bulb and the short-circuit, there may be 3A flowing, but also there is a very low voltage across the short circuit - that means low power dissipation (I * V). Most of the voltage is now across the bulb (it has to go somewhere...).

[@SirLedfoot94]

Man, wish I had this video last week, had this exact problem for a bit lol

[@stefanobetti8182]

Hi Joshua! Question out of context: seeing your review of the attitude v6 I guess you've tried them for a while, do you think it makes sense to put the foxeer wildfire instead of the original diversity module?

[@tomengman]

Heh, try this with KISS 4in1 ESC and 2208 motors, the bulb pulses to the ESC boot voice :D Confused me pretty bad for a few seconds..

[@leninegarcia8391]

Hi Joshua, I have a problem with my drone. I have a 5 inch quad, it is a lumenier QAV-S jhonny fpv edition, with Iflight 2208 1800kV motors, with 5×4.8×3 props. Every time I fly it, the motors get very hot. Also, when I do flips, it oscillates a little bit and it tries to do a strange mini powerloop. I'm flying with the stock PIDs, stock filters and with rpm filtering. How can I solve this problem? I need help please

[@jumpstartfpv]

I just use a lower cell battery to check the same quad. If the quad runs on 4s I power it up the first time using a 3s. If it's 6s I still use the 3s to power it up. And that tells me if it's the motors and vtx that are causing the smoke stopper to trip or if there is actually something wrong.

[@scu-dub]

I just couldn't stop thinking about macgruber lmao.....

[@boactech3076]

I love my lab powersupply. It can limit the current 👍

[@clazy9222]

I have the same problem as you with the big quad, but on my 5" with 2a? But nothing happen whktout the smokestopper, it flys normaly, is it possible, that a motor or the smokestopper is beoken or something like that?

[@Moonknight_FPV]

Insighful and funny 😂

[@djilly75]

I noticed mine does it when I use a 6s. So I use a 4s when testing

[@Raven187FPV]

I have built about 30 quads without a smoke stopper....but I build super slow and use a magnifying glass to check for issues. Lucky I guess :D

[@JustInvertedFpv]

I've been building and flying since 2015 and I've never had a smoke stopper. I'm just careful, take my time and inspect all joints with a magnifying glass/reading glasses to make sure there are no shorts or blobs. In all that time I've only fried one esc on an early zmr250 build because I had the esc sandwiched between the plates and left a wire exposed that touched the carbon fiber. I feel like that's a pretty good track record.

[@OlegShevtsov512]

And probably you avoided sh..ty components

[@MrDimm666]

Joshua, can you PLEAAASEEEE tell how to add a buzzer and a GPS to the Rekon 3 Nano Long Range? I just bought one, and I do not want to loose it in a bushes. THANKS

[@TheRoybert]

SpeedyBee stack did this. It sends an initial 12v instead of 9v. That must be causing the stopper to fuzz. Power interrupted BECAUSE of the stopper. Fires up and functions correctly with stopper removed.

[@bbblllaaaj]

So, if my fc boots up fine and after i solder up my vtx it trips my smoke stopper, that could just be amp draw from the vtx tripping the smoke stopper?

[@cj691]

Voltage drop and current all come in to play. I prefer a multimeter and knowing how to appropriately use it.

[@xNightRage]

best intro ever :D

[@Dav2112]

My KISS setups that I have motor buzzer emulation enabled trips my smoke stopper

[@360vroomers]

Is there any advantage to using a smokestopper compared to a multimeter? TIA

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Smoke stopper can protect against transient failure modes. Such as if you short circuit the ESC with a screwdriver after plugging in.

[@xerovolume3321]

Best intro

[@alwayshathbeen3340]

Lol, fantastic! How relevant!!