our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Discussions about rockets, construction materials, adhesives, nozzles, nosecones and fin design.
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thunderrockets
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our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by thunderrockets »

here are some pictures from our new waterrocket car , its not yet finished but tell me what you think of it.
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Brian
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by Brian »

looks great, you need a brighter place to take your pics for better quality.
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U.S. Water Rockets1
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by U.S. Water Rockets1 »

Brian wrote:looks great, you need a brighter place to take your pics for better quality.
It looks like a camera phone took the pictures.

However, the car looks really promising, and we can't wait to hear how the test runs went.
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ackroyd
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by ackroyd »

Hi, I have accepted a challenge to build a water rocket racer to carry one person in three weeks time. I have funding and the means to manufacture bits. I already have a racer to put the propulsion on.
I need help with the propulsion. Can you help please?

Is it best to use water of brine?
How many nozzles are best?
What is the size of the nozzle aperture?
How is the gas best released?
Is there a diagram of a De Lavel nozzle?
How much water is used?
How much gas is used?
What p.s.i pressure is used to expel the gas?
How is the pressure achieved?
What are the best materials to use?

Anything else we aught to know?
Any diagrams out there?

Thanks so much. I will provide you with a video.

David Ackroyd
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rockets-in-brighton
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by rockets-in-brighton »

ackroyd wrote: Hi, I have accepted a challenge to build a water rocket racer to carry one person in three weeks time. I have funding and the means to manufacture bits. I already have a racer to put the propulsion on.
I need help with the propulsion. Can you help please?
Ask these guys: http://www.gottalaunch.com/index.html, they sometimes post on this forum too. They were working on a water rocket car on the same scale (ie can carry a human passenger) but I'd bet their budget is more realistic.
Cheers
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Tim Chen
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by Tim Chen »

Is it best to use water of brine?

Water is probably the best because it is easy to get and doesn't require mixing or additives and doesn't pollute or hurt the planet.

How many nozzles are best?

It's not the number of nozzles, it's the area of the openings. Many small nozzles = 1 big one. With a lot of small nozzles, you might have to make a very complex pressure system and release system.

What is the size of the nozzle aperture?


If you're going to shoot a human you'll need to be pretty large to overcome his weight. Something the size of a couple fire hoses would be my guess.


How is the gas best released?

A big valve that opens quickly, like a butterfly valve. A valve that opens slowly will allow the air to come out too slowly at first and will waste pressure until you screw it open far enough to matter.


Is there a diagram of a De Lavel nozzle?

Don't waste your time. Water doesn't compress at any reasonable pressure, so there's no benefit to these C/D nozzles.


How much water is used?

33.33%


How much gas is used?

66.66%


What p.s.i pressure is used to expel the gas?

As much as you can safely put into your pressure vessel. Since you are going to have a human onboard then you should be very careful of the pressure you use is not going to burst the tank. The more pressure you use, the faster you can go.

How is the pressure achieved?

Some kind of industrial compressor or compressed air tanks like SCUBA divers use.


What are the best materials to use?

As light as possible. Use plastic and aluminum where possible. I'd look at racing bike parts for the chassis and controls and brakes.

Anything else we aught to know?
Any diagrams out there?


Not many people have tried this on a large scale. There are a number of people doing small scale experiments.


Thanks so much. I will provide you with a video.

Cool! I look forward to seeing what this is all about! Good luck!
Tim Chen
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thunderrockets
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by thunderrockets »

i thaught braniac also did someting simmilar , instead of bottles they used empty beer cans.
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Team Seneca
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by Team Seneca »

thunderrockets wrote:i thaught braniac also did someting simmilar , instead of bottles they used empty beer cans.
They should use a beer KEG!
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thunderrockets
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Re: our new water rocket dragster v3 (xl)

Post by thunderrockets »

maby an empty 40 liter propane tank?