Atvan's APH

Build a homemade water gun or water balloon launcher and tell us about it.
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wetmonkey442
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by wetmonkey442 » Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:26 pm

The thing is people assume that turbulence will automatically decrease range. Turbulence causes loss of lamination that will result in decreased range, but this can be remedied by an external laminator, which is what atvan is planning on building. What this means is that you can get away with a less-than-ideal PVC layout if it means increased ergonomics/reduced dead space, as long as you make sure to laminate the stream somewhere farther down the line.
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atvan
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:40 pm

I'm going to test how much the laminator helps, different types of power style from GnG. Btw it is already built. It is the thing with the purple duct tape. The laminator does slow the stream down, so it is better to start with it as laminar as possible. Better to have something work fine than to break it and then fix it later along.
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New Guy
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by New Guy » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:01 am

I need to build a laminator for mine. Hmm.

I didn't pump it up to 200psi- I hooked it up to our air compressor for the sake of playing with nerf darts. I have my forward pc set up with a service cap so I can go between different variations. I currently have the standard cap on and the garage got "cleaned" so I have no idea where my other caps all ran off to.

I believe the pvc check valve was pushed out of alignment by the pressure. Pretty sure I saw somewhere on it that it was rated to 250psi, but being a Home Depot unit I dunno if I buy it. The main body is all ~400psi rated and the pressure chambers are rated at 250.

Where can I find a pic of your APH, Atvan?

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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:48 am

Assuming that you realize that it is not yet done, the previous page has some of the pictures of what the general layout will be. Tomorrow I should be able to cut and sand to my heart's content, and probably get the gluing in as well. Stats, then, should definitely be up by the weekend, hopefully by Friday. FYI, my blog will have essentially the same as I post here, but in more layman terms, along with more pictures, or at least links to them. I will, however, reserve at least a few pictures for here and iSn.
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DX
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by DX » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:34 am

It's not just the turbulence - I'd rather stockpile the water right there in the bottom of the PC rather than keep it bottled up higher. The back of the tee is essentially dead space, but it didn't appear to affect the shot in N00b Killer or the Ugly Duckling gun. Keep in mind that the image I posted is well over 4 years old - if I were to make a homemade with that design today, I'd make the back end of the PC step down as quickly as possible. 3" to 3/4" in one go. Yes, that fitting exists, it's just not the easiest thing to find. Still has dead space, but until someone finds a reducing tee that starts at 3", we're stuck with some.

I'm not even convinced that the bent design without the large tee is better ergonomically. I like having the weight down lower. My first APH was a dual chamber traditional and it was wicked top heavy when the PCs were full. Lower center of gravity, more stability. Of course, these are homemades - it takes effort to make a brittle design and no matter how big the PC is up top, they don't jiggle. My 4" PC on APR 4000 was only held down by the old style 3/4" tee, but it was pretty solid. It may just be personal preference for bent with large tee vs bent.
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atvan
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:09 pm

The primary reason was to allow for a wider range of firing angles. This design should go from -45° to 45° for the majority. The only reason I would need to shoot at a different angles is for a scare tactic, seige, or fun.

Also, for a tracked pump, do you recommend 12 or 18 inches?
Last edited by atvan on Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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wetmonkey442
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by wetmonkey442 » Wed Aug 10, 2011 1:03 pm

I've never had a pump that was longer than 8". It's just not practical, imo. That means for a tracked pump the total length will be 16" to allow for the guided section.
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Wed Aug 10, 2011 2:30 pm

I'll probably make the pump shaft one foot, because it might help, and if it still works fine if I don't use the whole thing. It may be useful in some situations. Plus, it will evenly devide my dowel into 3 peices. 8 doesn't go into 36 evenly. And that would really bug me. I guess I could go 9 inches. I'll think about it.
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:12 pm

I made the pump shaft 1 foot long, like I said, but forget about needing to attach the handle. So it will likely be about 9 inches of throw. The tracked pump idea is gonna work, woohoo. I got all the peices cut out. Sadly, I got the wrong size of some of the peices (o-rings and the bushing). I might still be able to glue today, however, if my dad grabs what I need on the way home.
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wetmonkey442
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by wetmonkey442 » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:41 pm

Any updates?
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:49 pm

I got all the pieces I needed, and got all the pipes cut. I should be able to solvent weld this weekend, and get stats Sunday or Monday. I won't get the backpack until later though.
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-G-JiV-
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by -G-JiV- » Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:46 am

O yea :D

Good luck! SHow some pics and a video if possible :)
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by Fatalness » Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:47 am

Hey, I dont have much in experience for homemades but good luck! it sounds great!
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atvan
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:41 am

Thank you. Dunno yet when I will be able to glue.
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atvan
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Re: Atvan's APH

Post by atvan » Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:00 pm

Still haven't finished. I dunno. When it is nice, I play disc golf. When it is rainy, I can't glue. Need to get back into water guns, kinda out right now.
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