Something weird with fuel

[MisterSteve124]

Before I built my cannon I saw on the forums that the less fuel you use the better. So when I was using mine I figured the same thing. But whenever I put a small amount of fuel (Right Gaurd) in the chamber it either doesn't light or just gives a little pop and the potato goes like 20 feet. On the other hand whenever I spray a lot (like 10 mississippi seconds) there is a huge bang and the potato goes super far(just the way I like it ). Can anyone think of any way to use less or to fix this? Also my gun is about 7 feet long(3 foot 3" chamber and 4 foot 2" barrel.

Thanks

[Shrimphead]

Less can be better, because if you use too much, it won't light right. The same thing happens if you use too little like you described. Just use the amount that works the best.

[MisterSteve124]

But my point is I have to use like a ton for it to shoot well. And I don't want to use like a ton. My screws for the igniter are near like the front of the chamber (near the barrel) because the wires wouldn't reach any further. Also I was talking to my neighbors friend (he's an adult) and he was saying he made a potato gun and use ether as a propellant. I'm not really sure what ether is but isnt it like gasoline sort of?

[jrrdw]

NO NO NO don't use either!! Is't way to powerfull. Try useing Axe under arm spray. Right Gaurd isn't made the same anymore, which is why you can't get a big shot out of it, probly.

[Shrimphead]

Why not use ether, tons of people do with no problem. I can't really be any more powerful than propane or gasoline (which happen to be as powerful as each other).

[jrrdw]

Either is way more cumbustiable. I've seen starter fluid blow cylinder heads apart, and before you say well thats starting fluid, remember starting fluid is mixed with different oils to lube the cylinders. There for makeing it a bit weaker then straight either.

[MisterSteve124]

Actually if you correctly read my post jrrdw then you will realize all i was asking was what was ether because someone else told me they used it. And Right Gaurd works fine it takes them a while to change their formula. The bottle says 1998 and I just bought it. It actually works better than axe. I don't plan on using ether anyway, I don't even know where to get it.

[plumpthumb]

If I may suggest why not try a can of Airwick room deodorant? I switched to it after a string of bad firings and was rewarded with a loud crack and one destroyed potato! I only gave two short sprays and it worked liked a charm. It's cheap as well at $1.49 for a large can where I live.

[jrrdw]

OK, i missread, either as far as i know was made for antisteadic, stopped useing it for that due to side affects, (bad head achs, amnesha, nausea, prolonged blured vision, dehighedration, ect.....). Is also hard to handle saftly in large quanities.

[MisterSteve124]

so where do you get it? and is it like gasoline except more combustable? Anyways does anyone else know why have to use a ton of Right Gaurd to get it to work?

[jrrdw]

Do a web search, you probly can get small quanitys from hardware stores, maby even high performance auto parts stores. But i wouldn't waste my time fooling with it when other fuels are readly available for cheep price.

[MisterSteve124]

ok i guess i'll just try AirWick and a couple other air fresheners. I still think its cause my chamber is 3 feet long.

[rna_duelers]

and try to have ur ignitor towards the back of the chamber,having it close to the barrel restricts power because the flames burn in the oposite deiction if u ignite it at the back the flames burn towards the barrel making a better shot.

[spudshot]

find some generic deodorant at the dollar store, most have the same ingredients as right guard, they work great, and they last a long time, starting fluid would be a good fuel too, though the new stuff with the oils in it seems to gather on the chamber walls, and after a while if you leave the chamber open and press the ignitor you will get a fire in your chamber, its kind of nice though since it cleans out all the shit in the chamber

[jrrdw]

I wonder if the pvc reacts the same way as metal under heat stress? Or close to it. The burning out of residuals may put slightly prolonged heat stress on the chamber.

If you cool it down fast does it make it brittle?

If you let it cool down naturaly will it maintain structrual strenth?

I don't know much about pvc pipe, i've never been a plumber.