PVC sch 20

This forum is for new members to introduce themselves and tell us how they got started in water rocketry.
amartin7450
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:06 am

PVC sch 20

Post by amartin7450 »

PVC sch 20 .
Has any one tried that ?
I get good distance !
User avatar
anachronist
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 244
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 2:18 pm

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by anachronist »

Why would schedule 20 make a difference? You're just using it in a launcher, right? The outer diameter is the same as schedule 40/80, but the pressure rating is only 200psi, which is OK for soda bottles but not much else.
amartin7450
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:06 am

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by amartin7450 »

I am using sch 20 for the rocket ! Thin and light .
User avatar
anachronist
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 244
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 2:18 pm

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by anachronist »

Ah, I see. A PET bottle is also thin and light, and can withstand about 150 psi pressure. Schedule 20 pipe can withstand about the same pressure, but it's heavier than a PET bottle. I said 200 psi in my previous post, but that was for 1/2 inch pipe. Larger diameters would withstand even less pressure. Still, PVC has a somewhat higher tensile strength than PET for about the same density.

Please let us all know how it turns out! And be safe, use a long compressor hose, like 50 feet or more. And eye protection. Shrapnel from a ruptured PVC pipe will ruin your day if you're too near!
amartin7450
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:06 am

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by amartin7450 »

I am 100 feet away .
Pipe is 1" pvc sch 20 200 psi . 48 inches long with 4 fins and a 2 liter bottle inverted for a nose cone and extra air chamber !
I goes so high that I loose sight ! @ 100psi.
I will post video of the flight and other parts I use !
But first I want to redo the launch pad !
Right now the fit of bottles or my pvc water rocket is so snug I use a 3 lb weight to make it release !
User avatar
anachronist
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 244
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 2:18 pm

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by anachronist »

Looking forward to the video. Are you using any sort of recovery system, or just letting it fall back down?
amartin7450 wrote:Right now the fit of bottles or my pvc water rocket is so snug I use a 3 lb weight to make it release !
I have the same problem. I'm using a regular clark cable tie design, but the restraining collar requires a LOT of force to pull down. At least 10 pounds. I'm not sure what to do about that. I'm using a piece of 1-1/4" schedule 40 PVC, which I hollowed out a bit on the inside to fit around the cable ties, but I suspect the roughness on the inside is binding against some of the ties.

Come to think of it, my reaming out a Schedule 40 launch collar probably made it Schedule 20 on one end... but nobody sells schedule 20 locally.
-A
amartin7450
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:06 am

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by amartin7450 »

No Clark Cable tie system .
It is a 1/2" gas fitting that fits plastic bottles tight !
That's why I use the weight to eject the rocket .
lowes has the sch 20 pvc .
And yes 50 acres is my recover area for now ! But working on a recovery system ?
What do yall think about the tomy timer ?
User avatar
anachronist
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 244
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 2:18 pm

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by anachronist »

All the Lowes in my area don't have schedule 20. It's all 40 and 80. They don't even offer it online at lowes.com.

I envy your 50 acres. Where I live, it's hard to find any open space without buildings or trees.

I skipped the Tomy timer phase and went straight to electronics. I can't say enough good things about the Eggtimer Quantum altimeter, which has a servo controller built in, and also built-in WiFi so you can control it from your phone. There are servos on eBay weighing just 4 grams. Problem with the Quantum is you have to build it, i'ts a kit.

I am working on a purely mechanical apogee-detection deployment system for when I don't care about altitude and just want to have fun. That's still a work in progress.
amartin7450
New Member
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 11:06 am

Re: PVC sch 20

Post by amartin7450 »

I striped an umbrella of all metal to make a parachute ?
Looks strong and light .
I think I will use my remote for my model air plane to deploy the chute ?
Range is line of sight or at the very least 250 miles !
Ham radio operator ! KG4EDX !
" kilo, Golf , 4, Echo, Delta, X-ray !