Super Soaker Central forums

Prof_Slammin · 06-08-2006, 08:12 AM

I'm trying to make a series of gun for my tech exposition in my Jonestown Battles (see water fights section). Would anyone know how to make a good working pressure gauge, as well as the equipment I will need.. A pressure gauge would be helpful in certain ways (in a way it can tell how fast the water is going and give you a good overview of the gun's performance).

Silence · 06-08-2006, 11:57 AM

It's hard to build a pressure gauge yourself, but they are fairly cheap and can easily be attached to PVC tubing. You should note that a soaker isn't the best of the best just because it has the greatest pressure--focus on efficient designs (linear flow) and battle practicality.

You might want to wait a year or so before you actually have Jonestown Battles...for now, there might be the Northeastern Regional Water War, and you could just have an informal battle with your friends. Good luck, though...

Prof_Slammin · 06-08-2006, 03:18 PM

I was thinking the same thing with the Jonestown Battle so I'll see if I still want to run it. But for the pressure gauge, atleast I know where to put it. I'll try this plan.

Ben · 06-08-2006, 05:34 PM

Your best bet would be to buy an existing pressure guage. I own maybe 5 or so different ones simply because they are so useful (three are on a single water gun too). You can buy pressure guages typically where air compressors are sold at home improvement stores, and you will need a coupler to attach the 1/4" thread to 1/2" thread.

Building your own pressure guage would be hard and not very accurate. Calibration would be difficult and inaccurate. A home-built one also would be more expensive likely. Stick to an existing pressure guage.

Prof_Slammin · 06-09-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben

Your best bet would be to buy an existing pressure guage. I own maybe 5 or so different ones simply because they are so useful (three are on a single water gun too). You can buy pressure guages typically where air compressors are sold at home improvement stores, and you will need a coupler to attach the 1/4" thread to 1/2" thread.

Building your own pressure guage would be hard and not very accurate. Calibration would be difficult and inaccurate. A home-built one also would be more expensive likely. Stick to an existing pressure guage.

I can probably some at Home Depot or Walmart because the have a home improvement section. So how exactly do I put on the gauge to make it work.

Silence · 06-09-2006, 12:05 PM

I've never exactly used a pressure gauge, but I can imagine how it would work...

You add a reducing tee somewhere between the ball valve, the PC, and the second check valve; and one of the legs of the tee has an ID of 1/4". There should be a smooth female adapter on the pressure gauge, and you just coat both surfaces with primer. Then, after several hours, coat both with cement and press them together, twirling the pressure gauge a bit to ensure that the glue is spreading around and creates a strong seal.

Prof_Slammin · 06-09-2006, 12:16 PM

How much do you people think that a pressure gauge would cost. I want about 2 because I want to make APH and WBL.

Silence · 06-09-2006, 12:37 PM

First of all, you should be able to distinguish the pressure of a WBL by looking at the analog pressure gauge in the Schrader valve as you pump. However, if it is to be a MS WBL, then you might need an additional gauge--unless, of course, you carry and/or pump the Schrader valve.

I wouldn't imagine that this costs too much...certainly no more than $5-10 (don't hold me to the estimate, though).

m15399 · 06-09-2006, 01:49 PM

No check valve between the gauge and the PC's. If there was one, the pressure would go up to the pressure in the PC's and stay there for the rest of eternity.

Silence · 06-09-2006, 01:53 PM

No, I said to put the gauge between the check valve and the PC (or after the PC, for that matter); not to put the check valve between it and the PC.

Ben · 06-09-2006, 03:10 PM

Last time I checked, a pressure gauge costs $7 here locally. The brass fitting that converts 1/4" ID threaded pipe to 1/2" threaded pipe wouldn't cost more than $3. Pipe thread tape won't get worse than $2 if you get the most expensive kind. That's essentially all you need to attach a pressure gauge to a 1/2" female threaded spot.

You do not need 1/4" PVC or anything of that sort. It is easier and cheaper to simply use a small brass fitting to convert the sizes.

Connecting them together is so obvious when you have them that if I had to explain it, I'm quite confident that you wouldn't be able to do it anyway. Just apply the thread tape and screw everything together well.

I'll get a picture once my digital camera starts working.

Prof_Slammin · 06-12-2006, 08:29 AM

It would be really helpful if you were able to take pictures of a pressure gauge. I never knew they would cost over $1because all they do is take pressure. Don't get me wrong I know they are useful, but why do stores, that have so much money, make you pay so much for one little piece of a huge puzzle. Funny thing is, Walmart says "low prices, always". Tsk, gimme a break.

Ben · 06-12-2006, 12:09 PM

That is a low price.

A pressure guage contains a lot of little parts and machining those parts obviously costs money. The pressure gauge also has to be built to handle high pressures. These are good accurate pressure gauges as well. They are calibrated to be correct within a certain limit usually. Cheap pressure gauges do exist such as those in the Super Soaker water guns, but those are little aside from a spring in a tube with a gear to turn a dial. Those gauges don't last very long.

Why do PVC couplers cost more than a penny? Those cheap capitalists are making $0.19 for a penny's worth of plastic.

Prof_Slammin · 06-13-2006, 04:14 PM

I was wondering if a oil pressure gauge would work because there's a local shop, but that's all it has (accept for voltage gauges).

Ben · 06-13-2006, 04:42 PM

Any shop will have more than an oil pressure gauge, even a car shop. I am sure that there are differences between the two gauges, but I am unsure of the differences. I can not tell you definitively whether or not an oil pressure gauge will also work correctly for air pressure.

Car shops typically have a section for air compressors and air tools. Home improvement stores typically have a section for air compressors and air tools. Even Wal*Mart's car section has a great selection, in fact, their prices typically are much better than Lowes' or the car shop's. You're not looking in the right places (hint: they're almost never in or near the same section as PVC).

06-08-2006, 08:12 AM	#1
Prof_Slammin Junior member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jonestown,PA Posts: 13 UserID: 689	Pressure Gauge I'm trying to make a series of gun for my tech exposition in my Jonestown Battles (see water fights section). Would anyone know how to make a good working pressure gauge, as well as the equipment I will need.. A pressure gauge would be helpful in certain ways (in a way it can tell how fast the water is going and give you a good overview of the gun's performance).

06-08-2006, 11:57 AM	#2
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,293 UserID: 576	It's hard to build a pressure gauge yourself, but they are fairly cheap and can easily be attached to PVC tubing. You should note that a soaker isn't the best of the best just because it has the greatest pressure--focus on efficient designs (linear flow) and battle practicality. You might want to wait a year or so before you actually have Jonestown Battles...for now, there might be the Northeastern Regional Water War, and you could just have an informal battle with your friends. Good luck, though... __________________ Forum rules

06-08-2006, 05:34 PM	#4
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 6,054 UserID: 1	Your best bet would be to buy an existing pressure guage. I own maybe 5 or so different ones simply because they are so useful (three are on a single water gun too). You can buy pressure guages typically where air compressors are sold at home improvement stores, and you will need a coupler to attach the 1/4" thread to 1/2" thread. Building your own pressure guage would be hard and not very accurate. Calibration would be difficult and inaccurate. A home-built one also would be more expensive likely. Stick to an existing pressure guage. __________________ email: / Forum rules / Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email with a water gun question if someone else could answer the question. Post at the forums. You will get a response from me along with others' views or ideas.

06-09-2006, 12:05 PM	#6
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,293 UserID: 576	I've never exactly used a pressure gauge, but I can imagine how it would work... You add a reducing tee somewhere between the ball valve, the PC, and the second check valve; and one of the legs of the tee has an ID of 1/4". There should be a smooth female adapter on the pressure gauge, and you just coat both surfaces with primer. Then, after several hours, coat both with cement and press them together, twirling the pressure gauge a bit to ensure that the glue is spreading around and creates a strong seal. __________________ Forum rules

06-09-2006, 12:37 PM	#8
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,293 UserID: 576	First of all, you should be able to distinguish the pressure of a WBL by looking at the analog pressure gauge in the Schrader valve as you pump. However, if it is to be a MS WBL, then you might need an additional gauge--unless, of course, you carry and/or pump the Schrader valve. I wouldn't imagine that this costs too much...certainly no more than $5-10 (don't hold me to the estimate, though). __________________ Forum rules

06-08-2006, 03:18 PM	#3
Prof_Slammin Junior member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jonestown,PA Posts: 13 UserID: 689	I was thinking the same thing with the Jonestown Battle so I'll see if I still want to run it. But for the pressure gauge, atleast I know where to put it. I'll try this plan.

06-09-2006, 12:16 PM	#7
Prof_Slammin Junior member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jonestown,PA Posts: 13 UserID: 689	How much do you people think that a pressure gauge would cost. I want about 2 because I want to make APH and WBL.

06-09-2006, 01:49 PM	#9
m15399 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 224 UserID: 495	No check valve between the gauge and the PC's. If there was one, the pressure would go up to the pressure in the PC's and stay there for the rest of eternity.

06-09-2006, 01:53 PM	#10
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,293 UserID: 576	No, I said to put the gauge between the check valve and the PC (or after the PC, for that matter); not to put the check valve between it and the PC. __________________ Forum rules

06-09-2006, 03:10 PM	#11
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 6,054 UserID: 1	Last time I checked, a pressure gauge costs $7 here locally. The brass fitting that converts 1/4" ID threaded pipe to 1/2" threaded pipe wouldn't cost more than $3. Pipe thread tape won't get worse than $2 if you get the most expensive kind. That's essentially all you need to attach a pressure gauge to a 1/2" female threaded spot. You do not need 1/4" PVC or anything of that sort. It is easier and cheaper to simply use a small brass fitting to convert the sizes. Connecting them together is so obvious when you have them that if I had to explain it, I'm quite confident that you wouldn't be able to do it anyway. Just apply the thread tape and screw everything together well. I'll get a picture once my digital camera starts working. __________________ email: / Forum rules / Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email with a water gun question if someone else could answer the question. Post at the forums. You will get a response from me along with others' views or ideas.

06-12-2006, 08:29 AM	#12
Prof_Slammin Junior member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jonestown,PA Posts: 13 UserID: 689	It would be really helpful if you were able to take pictures of a pressure gauge. I never knew they would cost over $1because all they do is take pressure. Don't get me wrong I know they are useful, but why do stores, that have so much money, make you pay so much for one little piece of a huge puzzle. Funny thing is, Walmart says "low prices, always". Tsk, gimme a break.

06-12-2006, 12:09 PM	#13
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 6,054 UserID: 1	That is a low price. A pressure guage contains a lot of little parts and machining those parts obviously costs money. The pressure gauge also has to be built to handle high pressures. These are good accurate pressure gauges as well. They are calibrated to be correct within a certain limit usually. Cheap pressure gauges do exist such as those in the Super Soaker water guns, but those are little aside from a spring in a tube with a gear to turn a dial. Those gauges don't last very long. Why do PVC couplers cost more than a penny? Those cheap capitalists are making $0.19 for a penny's worth of plastic. __________________ email: / Forum rules / Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email with a water gun question if someone else could answer the question. Post at the forums. You will get a response from me along with others' views or ideas.

06-13-2006, 04:14 PM	#14
Prof_Slammin Junior member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jonestown,PA Posts: 13 UserID: 689	I was wondering if a oil pressure gauge would work because there's a local shop, but that's all it has (accept for voltage gauges).

06-13-2006, 04:42 PM	#15
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 6,054 UserID: 1	Any shop will have more than an oil pressure gauge, even a car shop. I am sure that there are differences between the two gauges, but I am unsure of the differences. I can not tell you definitively whether or not an oil pressure gauge will also work correctly for air pressure. Car shops typically have a section for air compressors and air tools. Home improvement stores typically have a section for air compressors and air tools. Even WalMart's car section has a great selection, in fact, their prices typically are much better than Lowes' or the car shop's. You're not looking in the right places (hint: they're almost never in or near the same section as PVC). __________________ email: / Forum rules / Read this page before emailing me.* Do not send me a PM or email with a water gun question if someone else could answer the question. Post at the forums. You will get a response from me along with others' views or ideas.

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