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no boom

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:54 pm
by Stumpy
Built my first propane cannon, no boom. Made a bigger ignition chamber thinking it needed more air. Still no boom. Put a few items in to mix the fuel/air around a bit, no boom. Lights fine when the barrel is unloaded, but as soon as I load ammo, no boom... Tips?

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:11 pm
by jrrdw
Stumpy wrote:Lights fine when the barrel is unloaded, but as soon as I load ammo, no boom...
Makes me think it's still to rich, needs more air. Try fueling it with half as much fuel...so on and so on.

Welcome to Spudfiles.

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:59 pm
by Stumpy
Success!!!

Just gave it a 1/2 second twist on the torch and POOF. After so many failed ignitions I forgot to aim the barrel somewhere safe and took out a can of pipe glue on the shelf.

I'm using a small propane torch with the trigger type igniter, which gives a weak spark. I will be browsing the forums looking for a better spark and a different fuel that requires less shaking - it's heavy!

Feel free to post any links to expediate my searching.

~Stumpy

jrrdw wrote:
Stumpy wrote:Lights fine when the barrel is unloaded, but as soon as I load ammo, no boom...
Makes me think it's still to rich, needs more air. Try fueling it with half as much fuel...so on and so on.

Welcome to Spudfiles.

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:11 pm
by jrrdw
Stun guns work really nice for ignition. You can shop at our sponsors Launchpotatoes.com or Ultimatespudgun.com. They will have different ignitions to choose from. Think about getting a chamber fan and metering system.

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 1:32 pm
by jimmy101
Like jrrdw said, a chamber fan and metering system is more important than a new spark system.

Metering can be done with a syringe, and only costs a buck or two. (search the forum for how to do it.) Not as much bling as a pipe + regulator based setup but just as accurate and a heck of a lot cheaper.

Rummage about and find a fan. An old computer CPU fan works well and can be run form a 9V battery.

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:41 pm
by Stumpy
jrrdw wrote:Stun guns work really nice for ignition. You can shop at our sponsors Launchpotatoes.com or Ultimatespudgun.com. They will have different ignitions to choose from. Think about getting a chamber fan and metering system.
That would be pretty cool but I don't think canadian customs would appreciate me shipping that kind of equipment over here to bc, they really don't want us arming ourselves. Oh maybe I should tell them it's for a propane cannon, yeah RIGHT!

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:45 pm
by Stumpy
jimmy101 wrote:Like jrrdw said, a chamber fan and metering system is more important than a new spark system.

Metering can be done with a syringe, and only costs a buck or two. (search the forum for how to do it.) Not as much bling as a pipe + regulator based setup but just as accurate and a heck of a lot cheaper.

Rummage about and find a fan. An old computer CPU fan works well and can be run form a 9V battery.
I have the syringes and fans on hand, I will try to hide out in the workshop and get er done today while the boss isnt watching. The metering systems seems bulky and less portable and I will be hiking around with this.

Happy Friday SpudHeads!

Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:32 pm
by jimmy101
Stumpy wrote:I have the syringes and fans on hand, I will try to hide out in the workshop and get er done today while the boss isnt watching. The metering systems seems bulky and less portable and I will be hiking around with this.

Happy Friday SpudHeads!
Cool.

If you want a really tiny fuel supply and meter you can use a disposable butane cigarette lighter ($1), or a butane refill cartridge, or a long handled butane lighter (the long handled is nice since it has the perfect piece of tubing already in place).

http://www.inpharmix.com/jps/Fuel%20Met ... ghter.html
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http://www.inpharmix.com/jps/Hacking_lighter.html
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