WTF?? can someone help me out...

Boom! The classic potato gun harnesses the combustion of flammable vapor. Show us your combustion spud gun and discuss fuels, ratios, safety, ignition systems, tools, and more.
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kingjames488
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Mon May 21, 2007 10:02 pm

Yes, but its also a very weak spark.
I can hardly see it sometimes...

I built a mini today and it had the same prob.

I think it may be a bad connection on my electrodes.
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homedepotpro
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Mon May 21, 2007 10:05 pm

maybe, id check to see if it is sparking somewhere else besides inside the chamber
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kingjames488
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Mon May 21, 2007 10:32 pm

I did, and there isnt really anywhere else for it to spark...
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MrCrowley
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Mon May 21, 2007 11:10 pm

How about the fuel ratio? How much are you spraying in? Are you venting and cleaning the insides after each shot?
From_Hamsterdam
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Mon May 21, 2007 11:18 pm

right guard does not work any more, see home page of this site.
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mega_swordman
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Tue May 22, 2007 5:27 am

This is getting us nowhere, so I feel the best way is through the process of elimination. So, what is needed for combustion to occur?

1. A propellent or Fuel:
We have already figured out this is not the problem

2. A proper fuel to air ratio:
This may be a potential problem. I don't know if you tried lowering the fuel yet

3. Enough heat to start the reaction:
I believe this could be a problem. Perhaps the spark doesn't give you enough energy.

So the problem could be in #2 or #3. If any other things are needed for combustion and could be a problem, please post it.
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." George S. Patton
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kingjames488
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Tue May 22, 2007 9:04 pm

as I said, I think its the electrodes and the fact that there old and corroded...
I have shinny new brass ones that I will install within the next few days.
I used some simular bolts from the same place with a mini I build... same prob unless I constantly twist them around, even then it's only fired once.
Id almost be better off just running the wires into the chamber...

Merged:Mod's note: Please don't double post, Use the edit button.

UPDATE: I took the screws out of my mini and just put the wires into the chamber, It works almost every time now!!
I'll try it with my full sized cannon soon.
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xpitxbullx
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Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:35 am

Is it possible that glue vapors allowed the gun to fire the first time even with right guard mixed in?

Jeff
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Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:16 am

xpitxbullx wrote:Is it possible that glue vapors allowed the gun to fire the first time even with right guard mixed in?

Jeff
Yes, I've actually seen someone do this on accident. They decided to hit the sparker right after it was built and BOOM, nice dry fire.
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