ESU Smoke Unit Manifold for Heljan Class 37

Here's a manifold I created to link up the ESU 54678 smoke unit I'd installed in my Heljan O gauge Class 37 using the standard mounts included by Heljan on later models with the exhaust outlets on the roof.

Handy hint! I found the the roof panel of the Heljan can be removed with a bit of encouragement by gently pushing it from the inside and after that can be easily removed and replaced to access the smoke unit and the manifold without having to take the whole body off.

I avoided a shorter inlet connected to the smoke unit outlet with the silicon tube provided with it as I found the tube just kinked due to the angles and limited space. Therefore, the manifold inlet fits flush face-on with the smoke unit outlet, with a very short section of tubing (about 6mm) keeping them lined up and forming an airtight connection (heat the silicon tube in some boiling water for 30 secs if you're struggling to fit it). I've found that this alone (and the fit with the roof when closed) is enough to keep the manifold in place, but you may wish to stick the bottom of the manifold legs to the chassis, or even re-model them to something more substantial. Please repost here if you do remix it!

I've tried to maintain a permanent drop to try to avoid any condensation pooling and allow the smoke unit to be refilled just by dropping smoke oil through the exhausts, but as the angles are very shallow you might want to give the loco a slight tip when refilling just to help the oil on its way. I'd also suggest giving it a bit of time to run through the manfold, especially if you seem to get less smoke from the exhaust port you've (just) filled up from. I've also increased the ESU smoke unit temperature to 105% but left the fan setting unchanged to keep the clag nice and thick.

This took many hours, many reprints and a lot of swearing along the way, so hopefully it will stop other people having to go through that pain, but I'd love to see improved remixes if anyone's so inclined!