Water Rocket Update

[DogLover]

Sounds cool!!! I hope it works. I remember that an early system I used included a reed switch, from what I can remember, it didn't work, but it relied on the pull of gravity just after apogee. An epic failure to say the least!

-DogLover

[DogLover]

I got three new tomy timers for $1 each from Michael's. I used a "50% off 1 item" to get all three for $2.64, including tax. Not a bad deal!!! Jo-Ann Fabric's might have similar stuff I don't know. Here is a picture:

IMG_2560.JPG

Now I just have to put it in my rocket and launch it after lunch. I can smell water rocket exhaust in the air!!!

-DogLover

[DogLover]

Launch aborted.

-DogLover

[DogLover]

Bench tests showed that the system I spent all day yesterday working on is a piece of crap. A complete rebuild is needed. No launches for a few weeks most likely.

-DogLover

[Muzza]

Vaguely recall reading during one of my many internet info gathering expeditions that internals from rotating toys are better than walking toys for Tomy timers, as the walking toy's internal mechanism doesn't have any limiter on it, the wobbling action of the toy acts as an escapement mechanism. When you smash the toy to bits to get the bit you want, you may find it goes way too fast for what you're after

[DogLover]

That is weird I heard that the timers from the walking toys worked better! I think I heard that on this forum. I might be wrong. All I know is that I got one of motors to work perfectly for the no-electronics allowed release system that I have put together. I have not had a single failure during bench tests. I think it will work well. Anyway, I am going to try to post pictures soon. I plan to try a launch Saturday morning around 7:00 or 7:30.

-DogLover

[U.S. Water Rockets1]

Hi Doglover,

It looks like your deploy system may be a little heavier than you would want in a water rocket. It could really reduce the maximum altitude you can reach. Also, since you have built it from spare parts if you ever break it in a crash, you will probably not be able to repair it because you can't find the same parts. You also limit your deploy system to one rocket or you have to make all of your rockets modular in some way so they can share the same single system and move it from rocket to rocket.

We suggest you use an Open Design water rocket deployment system like the ServoChron™ 2

http://www.wra2.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10702#p10702

With this open system you can make a very lightweight servo deploy system from commonly available parts for under $10 complete.

With the price point driven so low, you can make multiple rockets with their own deploy system. Check it out!

[DogLover]

Hey U.S. Water Rockets1,

Right now I have only one 2-litre rocket. But I do plan on making more as soon as I have enough bottles. Right now I have about 5 bottles. I am going to start splicing soon. Anyway, the system I built actually is quite light. Here is a picture of it:

IMG_2576.JPG

It only weighs 3.2 oz (91 grams). Compared to some other systems that I have built, it is fairly light weight.

As for the electronics that you mentioned, yes I did consider the Launch Pad, but I wanted to come up with a system that didn't cost me anything. Also, I couldn't find a link to where those Launch Pad's where sold.

I am quite happy with my new system, which worked perfectly on the test I did Saturday. Unfortunately, my bike pump mysteriously broke at only 80 psi, even though it was rated at 170!!! I am now looking for a new pump. I would get a scuba tank, but they are a bit more than I want to spend. I couldn't find any for less than $100. So for now I am looking to get a $20 AAA car pump at Wal-Mart. Here is the link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/AAA-250psi-6- ... r/16641398

-DogLover

[Brian]

The pump you are thinking of buying may be just as bad as your previous hand pump. Cheap pumps often suggest such high pressures but will burn out before they even get close to those pressures. They are usually very slow and it will probably be worth buying a decent pump instead of breaking lots of cheap pumps.

[Nick B]

I am quite happy with my new system, which worked perfectly on the test I did Saturday. Unfortunately, my bike pump mysteriously broke at only 80 psi, even though it was rated at 170!!! I am now looking for a new pump. I would get a scuba tank, but they are a bit more than I want to spend. I couldn't find any for less than $100. So for now I am looking to get a $20 AAA car pump at Wal-Mart. Here is the link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/AAA-250psi-6- ... r/16641398

-DogLover

awe dude...

Dont get that.

Get another bike pump. Or fix yours. What broke on yours?


I have a buncha bike ones and even the 15 year old ones that were supposedly only good for 60 psi, I use to get 130/150 pounds.


maybe we can walk you thru a repair on your broken bike pump.

[DogLover]

After further research into that pump, I decided that it was not the best choice. As far as the bike pump, it just so happened to be my dads. Since he had just got it, he decided to return it. I do still have the first bike pump that I used for a while. Its hose exploded at only about 60 lb turning a bench test. I don't know if it can be fixed or not. I would ideally like to get a scuba tank, but I lack the funds. Snap!!!

-DogLover

[Nick B]

Older ones the hoses are junk. The rubber gets old and falls apart.

Get some ice maker tubing and two small hose clamps from your local hardware store, and fab up a new hose with the old hose head.

That should net you 120 psi, easy.

[Azriel]

quick rule of thumb; thinner tubing can withstand higher pressures, materials and wall thickness equal.

[Nick B]

Older ones the hoses are junk. The rubber gets old and falls apart.

Get some ice maker tubing and two small hose clamps from your local hardware store, and fab up a new hose with the old hose head.

That should net you 120 psi, easy.

this is a cheap fix ....bty...

[U.S. Water Rockets1]

Hey U.S. Water Rockets1,

Right now I have only one 2-litre rocket. But I do plan on making more as soon as I have enough bottles. Right now I have about 5 bottles. I am going to start splicing soon. Anyway, the system I built actually is quite light. Here is a picture of it:

IMG_2576.JPG

It only weighs 3.2 oz (91 grams). Compared to some other systems that I have built, it is fairly light weight.

As for the electronics that you mentioned, yes I did consider the Launch Pad, but I wanted to come up with a system that didn't cost me anything. Also, I couldn't find a link to where those Launch Pad's where sold.

I am quite happy with my new system, which worked perfectly on the test I did Saturday. Unfortunately, my bike pump mysteriously broke at only 80 psi, even though it was rated at 170!!! I am now looking for a new pump. I would get a scuba tank, but they are a bit more than I want to spend. I couldn't find any for less than $100. So for now I am looking to get a $20 AAA car pump at Wal-Mart. Here is the link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/AAA-250psi-6- ... r/16641398

-DogLover

Hi Doglover,

You can buy the TI MSP-430 Launchpad from a number of places. Google shopping has q good list of places you can get it.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=oQG&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=msp-exp430g2&oq=msp-exp430g2&gs_l=serp.3...16869.21451.0.21720.9.6.0.3.3.3.1889.7405.8-4.4.0...0.0...1c.mIRNKofm5WM&cid=13700769925767016290&sa=X&ei=jDQCUO3CEaXy0gGdhJ3pBw&ved=0CLsBEK0E

You really can't beat the $4.30 price, and if you are clever you can just buy one board and use it to program the microcontrollers and air wire them or breadboard them on your own and you essentially get the electronic timer function for under 50 cents (the cost of the controller). Remember, the firmware for ServoChron is a free download.