RodC - this is the link to the Heng Long instruction page that has info on the smoke generator. I believe there are multiple versions of the SG - don't know which one you have. The photos is one of my older units.
Lew

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1507808/Heng-Long-Sherman-M4a3.html?page=13#ma

LewZ,
Yes it is. That said, one could Y harness the switch with the ESC for the SG. Because of different trip points, I would probably use a servo expander OR look for an electronic switch with an adjustable trip point. That way you could turn on the switch as you engage the ESC for the SG.
The easiest option I have found is to use a computer radio and play with mix options.

Is the ESC switch on another channel? Lew

LewZ,
In response to your question, YES. I usually hook up my SG thru an ESC which allows me to vary the smoke output. I also put the ESC thru an electronic switch so that I can turn the unit on/off, why? because I have found that with the ESCs I use that dead center(off) is hard to find. I have also put the fan on a switch. I mix the fan switch with the ESC switch, but I can run the fan alone if I so choose.

Hi Lew
Have a look at this it may be what you are looking for

https://www.youtube.com/@designdenes7400

Hi
RodC as LawZ said black smoke is the holy grail, as to your post (2/4) to wiring your sg the heating element should work no mater which wire goes to the pos or neg, as for the motor it is the same as any motor we use.
The HL SG's use a 7.4 volt system.
The smoke oil I use is just High Quality Smoke & Fog Machine Liquid from eBay, some times I may mix it with some glycerin.
Fred

Thankyou LewZ. You just triggeted some recollections of things i had read eatlier. You description is quite appt. Yes, years ago i had an HO switcher tjat used smoke fluid. My wife-at-the-time objected to me stinking up our 900-sq-ft bungalow, i eventually learned to run it less often & for a shorter time. Tje oil came in a tony squib, but it took years to burn it all when you seldom use. Next weekend we are driving over to the Hamilton Steam & Technology Museum. They will hav a shallow pond filled by hydrant, with scheduled events to give everyone a turn on the water. There is also a steam train on the property. Last year one gent had a really good water-mister in a tug, & it produced steam for a long time...not merely the 5 to 10min that we often see.

RodC, I also have a few HL SG's laying around, but from a few years ago. (I have too much stuff !) Was going to use them in my boats but didn'tget to it..

HL does sell the fluid. Some have tried baby oil (stinks a bit) and I believe that you can also use model locomotive fluid as well. HL notes not to overfill their SG's.

I rarely use my SG's in my tanks as when moving on the ground unless one is close it is not very visible.

Also, black black smoke is the holy grail of model boaters. Over 20 years ago I wanted to build the ironclad Monitor but without black smoke it would only look tied up to a dock.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA ♥️

I bought a HENG LONG smoke generator intended for a tank which is diesel. It has been sitting in my incoming tray through months and months of other projects. My understanding is that I can use vegetable glycerin mixed with distilled water as smoke fluid altho some suggest using vape fluid. I wud really like to hav black smoke, you know, " rollin' coal ", billowing black. No instructions with the smoke unit. Any advice ???

With all the discussion on smoke, the smoke generator (SG) seems to be always connected to the throttle or a switch. Has anyone used a separate channel to viarably control the SG seperate from the motor(s)?

I noticed that when tugs and towboats start moving with a tow (like out of a lock) where they produce a lot of smoke. That starts to settle down as the tow is accelerating thereby reducing the load on the engines. Under normal conditions, modern engines produce very little smoke while moving continuously where the fuel/air mixture is more efficient.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA 🇺🇸 ♥️