Mini Hovercraft From a Dead Computer!

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Introduction: Mini Hovercraft From a Dead Computer!

Hi! this will be my entry for the dead computer contest. In this instructable I will show you how to make a small hovercraft using parts from a dead desktop PC!

Step 1: Step 1- Parts & Tools

Parts

>A 12 volt, 0.14 amp cooling fan
>Fan pipe thingy (in the picture it is the bottom black round thing). or a plastic can of equal diameter to the fan. (has to be at least 3 inches deep).
>erector set pieces (optional)
>4 9-volt battery clips
>4 9-volt batteries
>electrical tape

Tools

>pliers
>screwdriver
>Swiss-army knife
>soldering iron (or tin foil and even more electrical tape)


Step 2: Step 2- Aquiring Parts

To get the parts out of the pc you have, unless you already have, is pretty simple.

>open up the computer with the screwdriver (or Swiss-army knife)

>locate the part inside and remove it or rip it out violently. (the former is preferred as ripping can cause damage to parts)

>the erector set pieces I used are mostly for show. you can use screws instead of them or even glue if you like. it doesn't really matter.

>the 9 volt clips can be gotten at your local radio shack

Step 3: Step 3- Assembly

>the fan can be glued on top of the fanguide thingy/can.

>if you have the other rector set pieces you can put them on the hovercraft

>the 9 volts can be glued to the side of the fanguide thingy/can.

>now use your soldering iron to attach the 9 volt clips in parallel so the voltage is coming out at 36 volts. that will run the fan way higher than it is supposed to be but it is worth it.

>if you have done all this, it should be able to float about a milimeter above the ground. if not increase or decrease the the distance between the fan and the ground.

Step 4: Step- 4 Have FUN

when it is all complete you can take it to a basketball court and kick it around like a gigantic game of air hockey. HAVE FUN!

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    30 Comments

    0
    darrenhall
    darrenhall

    9 years ago on Step 4

    Now that's cool - I love folks who make stuff from trash or revamp broken things.

    Big respect.

    DZ

    0
    azrathud
    azrathud

    10 years ago on Step 3

    Attach the batteries in series to create a higher voltage. When you attach the batteries in parallel you increase the amperage but the voltage is the same as one battery. see http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/voltage.htm

    0
    martzsam
    martzsam

    Reply 10 years ago on Step 3

    oops. I forgot this instructable was even here. I was thinking of deleting it because it is so bad.

    0
    azrathud
    azrathud

    Reply 10 years ago on Step 3

    The creation itself isn't so bad, but your explanation(pictures / video) is a little lacking.

    0
    wamper95
    wamper95

    11 years ago on Step 2

    what kinada fan is that?

    0
    martzsam
    martzsam

    Reply 11 years ago on Introduction

    It's a fan ripped from an old computer. I've since found that either styrofoam plates or a disposable pie pan work great for hovercraft. The styrofoam is cool because you can shape it into cool crafts. Just make sure you run the fan at the minimum twice its nominal voltage.

    0
    wamper95
    wamper95

    11 years ago on Introduction

    i really want to know so that i can make one but with Styrofoam plates.

    0
    akeeksha
    akeeksha

    11 years ago on Step 2

    can we replace the 9 volt clips with any wire?

    0
    martzsam
    martzsam

    Reply 11 years ago on Step 2

    If you have to you can solder the wires straight to the battery...

    BUT- there is a specific danger to soldering directly to batteries. Batteries will heat up faster than you think and EXPLODE. I recommend just buying the 9 volt clips at radioshack for 3 dollars.

    0
    Doctor Freeman
    Doctor Freeman

    Reply 12 years ago on Introduction

    what im trying to say is do you have to use a desktop, laptop or can you use both

    0
    martzsam
    martzsam

    Reply 12 years ago on Introduction

    Oh, i see. I havent used one from a laptop, so I wouldnt know. I imagine u could.

    0
    eulaliaaaa!
    eulaliaaaa!

    13 years ago on Introduction

    This looks like something from an old Macgyver episode.

    0
    eulaliaaaa!
    eulaliaaaa!

    Reply 12 years ago on Introduction

    Because there was this one episode where he was trapped in this top-secret-underground-base-type-thing and that looks like the little laser-shooting-heat-seeking-security-robots.

    0
    Mudbud
    Mudbud

    13 years ago on Introduction

     This is awesome! But I dont have that round top thingy. What could I use to replace that? Anyyway Its still cool

    0
    martzsam
    martzsam

    Reply 13 years ago on Introduction

    the round top thingy is just an extra bit to keep your fingers from being sliced off and is totally optional.