OK so I have been lurking here on the site for some time and this is my first instructable. This was my second launcher the first was a modification of the one from "This Old House." I used a ball valve instead of the complicated zip tie design. No offense to that design, but it just seems a bit much and possibly prone to failure. I admit freely that this design is not the cheapest but it fit my needs for form and function.
Please remember that the act of pressurizing a vessel can be dangerous and even deadly. If you are not sure if something is correct or doubt your construction in anyway, DO NOT USE IT.
USE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF PRECAUTION AND COMMON SENSE.
This instructable is for information only and I assume no responsibility for your actions after reading it.
Please remember that the act of pressurizing a vessel can be dangerous and even deadly. If you are not sure if something is correct or doubt your construction in anyway, DO NOT USE IT.
USE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF PRECAUTION AND COMMON SENSE.
This instructable is for information only and I assume no responsibility for your actions after reading it.
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Signing UpStep 1: The Basic Design
I wanted the launcher to look spacey, I liked the way rockets looked from the early space program, so I built the unit vertical and tall instead of horizontal and close to the ground.
I wanted to be able to use both a bike pump and an compressor or compressed tank so there is both a schrader valve and a compressor fitting.
I wanted it to be electrically controlled, so I used a sprinkler valve and and string of 3 9v batteries to power the valve.
The most important thing I wanted to change was how the bottles were placed on the launcher, because they are 1/4 full of water other designs required the entire unit to be tilted down for loading. I thought this was dangerous since it allowed the possibility for an accidental horizontal launch if the system was primed. So I made a sort of quick change system that allows for much faster cycling and more fun per minute!!!
I wanted to be able to use both a bike pump and an compressor or compressed tank so there is both a schrader valve and a compressor fitting.
I wanted it to be electrically controlled, so I used a sprinkler valve and and string of 3 9v batteries to power the valve.
The most important thing I wanted to change was how the bottles were placed on the launcher, because they are 1/4 full of water other designs required the entire unit to be tilted down for loading. I thought this was dangerous since it allowed the possibility for an accidental horizontal launch if the system was primed. So I made a sort of quick change system that allows for much faster cycling and more fun per minute!!!
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The bottle spout will rest on the coupler.
What we do is fill the bottle with water about to where the bottom of the label is, insert the "quick change", invert and screw into the launcher. A small amount of water will leak as you prepare to launch.