SpudFiles

I think my parents are starting to give into the propane idea, am i able to make the propane system myself because i really dont want to spend 84 dollars on joels at http://spudtech.com/detail.asp?id=42 if i am able to make it myself where would i find the parts, and what lengths and sizes is everything?

http://www.burntlatke.com (might not be back up) and your local hardware store, go at it.

is there a certain size it has to be ? like what pipe and fitting size, also how long is the body of it?

I just say go to your local hardware store and see what works out for ya. As for how long your meter pipe should be. Latke has a nice tool to calculate that, it might be floating around elsewhere too.

post your chamber length and width and ill give you the length and width of your meter pipe. i would reccomend making your meter pipe out of 1/2" steel pipe if it is a 4" chamber, 1/4" if its a 2" chamber for a mini. i wouldnt reccomend using 3", becuase its just a bit cheaper than 4" and is alot worse due to the decrease in area

As Beebs said, give us the length and diameter of your combustion chamber and we'll tell you what size meter pipe to use.

If you want to be REALLY accurate (best results, but hard to do) fill your combustion chamber (just the chamber, not the barrel) with water and measure exactly how much water that is. Then you'll know the exact volume of your chamber.

What you need is a propane torch head ($10), some pressure rated flexible tubing ($5), two ball valves ($15 tops), some brass pipe ($3) (or steel, but at my local hardware store brass is cheaper), a hose barb ($3) a threaded street elbow ($3), and a regulator is nice but not required ($15). You'll also need some hose clamps, Teflon tape, and two wrenches.

The regulator makes the propane tank put out a constant pressure all the time. Without a regulator, the pressure can go up on hot days or down on cold days, and the pressure will get lower as the tank gets empty. I don't have a regulator on my propane cannon right now. It doesn't really bother me, I just use two "shots" on cold days and one on hot days. If you can afford a regulator it makes things easier, but it's not required. I'm going to get one next time I'm at a hardware store

Here's a pic of my propane system, which cost about $35 total:



The duct tape is just to insulate the spark wires so they don't zap me.

A few tips:

Use lots of Teflon tape on the threads for every connection. Before you install the system on your canon, test it underwater in your bathtub to check for leaks.

Tap the propane system into the chamber where there's two layers of pipe, not just one.

When you thread in the street elbow, first drill a hole that's a bit too small for the elbow, and then use a wrench to screw the elbow in. Use Teflon tape on the threads. After you have it in, put some epoxy (or superglue as I used) around the outside to prevent leaks.

Use hose clamps on the hoses to keep them from leaking, and screw them down TIGHT.

I used some metal strap (like the kind you use for strapping furniture to a wall) to strap the propane system to my chamber. This is just to make sure it can't wiggle or come loose. You could also use huge hose clamps or even duct tape.

Hope that helps.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

well, what tools would i need for this? because doenst the steel pipe need to be threaded on the end? or does it come pre threaded for the fittings? Also dont i need a gauge for the thing i see yours doesnt have a gauge?

The only tools you really need are two wrenches and teflon tape. Brass and steel pipe both come pre-threaded, so use whichever one is cheaper at your hardware store.

I told you, a regulator (which has a gauge) is nice but not required. It makes the cannon more consistant, but it will work without it (like I'm doing right now).

MEASURE YOUR CHAMBER so I can tell you what size meter pipe to use!

You're welcome

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

really appreciate all this help guys, ok well for my chamber, i dont really know what a good size is to be honest ,so a suggestion would be awsome, i am going to use 4 inch pipe if it truly doenst make sense to use the 3. So, suggest away, i love the shape of the blue flame and that nuker thing someone found if someone could give me a length for that kind of thing.

Since were on the note of propane injection, I got my gun all planned out and everything. I am doing the same propane system but with reg and guage, how do I know when to shut off first valve, sounds kinda of lame question.

pete zaria, do you use unmetered propane? you should really hood a meter up to that, itll make each tank last much longer and will meter more accurately

Ok i decided im going to make the chamber 1 foot long if that will work alright.

Pete Zaria wrote:The only tools you really need are two wrenches and teflon tape. Brass and steel pipe both come pre-threaded, so use whichever one is cheaper at your hardware store.

I told you, a regulator (which has a gauge) is nice but not required. It makes the cannon more consistant, but it will work without it (like I'm doing right now).

MEASURE YOUR CHAMBER so I can tell you what size meter pipe to use!

You're welcome

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

Don't listen to him about this, his idea won't work consistant at all (sometimes it will fire like crap)

You need a Regulator to use Propane right or your gun will only work at certain temperatures... Propane liquifies at about 92psi at a certain temperature, if the temperature changes it liquifies at different pressures...

A meter pipe filled to 92psi and one filled to 60psi will make you gun go from perfect firing to not at all...

You need to get a regulator and set the pressure of the Propane from abou 30psi to 60psi and make your meter pipe the right length going off of that...

what length should my meter pipe be if i make my chamber 12 or 14 inches, i dont know which would be better.

i used 4 inch long x 1/2 inch pipe in my cannon

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