Ghetto Propane

[PCGUY]

<div align="center">GHETTO PROPANE

Provided By Boogieman - <a href="http://www.advancedspuds.com/">http://w ... ds.com/</a>

This is the fabled "Ghetto Propane Meter!" Okay, so it's not too fabled, but it is recent project. The purpose of this meter was to make a cheap yet accurate fuel meter. I was going to make the meter a little differently, with a small water bottle for the meter section. It was basically this:

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/ghettosketch.jpg">

Preliminary Sketch

After much consideration, I scraped the completely "Ghetto" idea and chose to go a more practical route. Much to my dismay a 1/4 inch ball valve was added to the assembly as were a few other upgrades. The final product was inexpensive, yet somewhat sophisticated.

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/ghettofuel.jpg">

<img src="http://www.spudfiles.com/official_pics/ghettofuel1.jpg">

The meter eliminates expensive fittings such as brass hose barbs used in my other propane meter. It also uses one valve instead of two. In order to reduce overall length 1.5" SCH 40 PVC was used in place of a smaller metal meter pipe. The meter pipe, when at this size was supposed to be slightly under 1". The 2 end caps together were about 2" long, so I had to fill about half of the section with Durham's Water Putty. I am quite pleased with this meter, and since the POSmini spud gun was a failure, I will be revamping the meter pipe to a longer length for a different gun.

Inexpensive doesn't always mean cheap! Luckily I do have a discount at work, and the ball valve and pressure gauge was salvaged from an old project. All prices are retail, but with good scrounging abilities you should be able to pick up some of this stuff a lot cheaper.

Some ideas for future "Ghetto Propane Projects" that you may have:

Try copper fittings, galvanized stuff is really expensive, especially adapters. You will have to solder the stuff, but I estimate that you could make one for half the cost.

Plastic Valves?

Torch Head from garage sales/pawnshops/Ebay?

Provided By Boogieman - <a href="http://www.advancedspuds.com/">http://w ... /</a></div>

[Scotty]

Hey bro have you ever heard of M.E.K. ? It's a great liquid fuel, an organic solvent that is used in painting, surfboard making, it also used as the solvent in pvc cement,evaporates very quickly and goes booom! M.E.K.= Methyl ethyl ketone.

[pyrogeek]

The problem is that it would dissolve PVC. It could weaken the cannon, or weld your cap on. And it may not all burn up, and end up setting your cannon on fire.
Just stick with gaseous fuels like the majority of us.

[Scotty]

I am using a PVC chamber however i also made it with a a wall thickness of 8mm with a roll of duct tape to make me feel better!
It is only just under 400ccm with a 440mm barrel, however it does pack some punch with a 16mm bore. Brass slugs work choice.
the end cap was made with Acetal as was the threaded plug that holds the ignition lance (BBQ Piezo).
Anyone have any idea of the burn rate of the M.E.K?

P.S. It can put a hole through a tin fence at approx 25m, is that good or is it a toy? Cheers...

[Bluetooth]

Duct tape does nothing. It will do nothing to stop PVC shrapnel.

[frankrede]

I am using a PVC chamber however i also made it with a a wall thickness of 8mm with a roll of duct tape to make me feel better!
It is only just under 400ccm with a 440mm barrel, however it does pack some punch with a 16mm bore. Brass slugs work choice.
the end cap was made with Acetal as was the threaded plug that holds the ignition lance (BBQ Piezo).
Anyone have any idea of the burn rate of the M.E.K?

P.S. It can put a hole through a tin fence at approx 25m, is that good or is it a toy? Cheers...

Did you just ignore his post?
GO back and read it.

[zeigs spud]

i think this is getting a little off-topic lol.
nice meter looks easey to make and use.