To quote Wikispud... " When it comes to pilot valves, bigger is always better."
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_e_wink.png)
Ok you can say it... You should just build a piston valve!
Well to that I say HA!!! I am, but like everything else I do I don't like just copying something so mine is turning out unique. Well for now I still like sprinkler valves.
Ok to the point. This was the first cannon I built so forgive the primer stands. I never posted this Cannon because I didn't think it was really worthy, but I did want to show everyone the modification to it sprinkler valve. At first I thought I was probably being a little crazy. Until it worked that is! Man what a difference, especially with the short barrels. Well check out the photos, they pretty much speak for themselves. I don't think you could get a sprinkler valve to open any faster without pulling a vacuum on the pilot valve. Which I also plan on trying.
No my current setup is not very ergonomic, but this was only a test to see if it worked. I plan on adding three of these to my triple valve launcher. The Launcher now makes a Bang instead of pop when it is fire. In fact the valve opening is quite violent. No more traditional orbits valve honk even at low pressure. Trigger response is instantaneous. My range increased after this modification from about 100-110 yards with my 1.5" barrel to about 125-130 yards with a potato at 100 psi. My 42" 1/2 sch 40 barrel will sent a 280 grain .58 cal lead round ball through 3/4" plywood @20 yards and with my 15" long golf ball barrel I can penetrate 1/2" plywood at about 20 yards. I get pretty close to 200 yards at 100 psi with golf balls. Golf balls are definitely one of the better projectiles.
Cannon...
Valve: 1" orbit sprinkler valve
Pilot: 3/4" orbit sprinkler valve modified for pneumatic triggering.
Chamber: 12" of 2" sch40
barrels: 20" of 1.5" sch 40, 42" of 1/2 sch 40, 24" of 1" sch 40