Big Bertha Air Cannon

[Lentamentalisk]

@potatoflinger:
A triggered burst disk would be terrible for this. The entire reason for him using the sprinkler valves is that they open slowly enough, and he can time them, so as to have a gradual increase in pressure, to not rupture the balloon. A burst disk cannon would obliterate a balloon... The real increase would come from more timed valves, or a much longer barrel.

[pizlo]

short and thick does the trick

GAGHH why did you put that image in my mind!
damn you! you chodechomper!

[ericthepoolboy]

The tank is so huge because I got it for free on craigslist, and he who has the biggest wins . As for all the valves, what do you guys mean my modding them?

The barrel is the length it is because of the ease of transporting it. I have another 20' section of 4" PVC that will attach to the end of the existing barrel. The barrel can also be changed out for a different size since it is threaded into the manifold using a 2.5" male adapter.

As for moving this thing, the original plan was to make it a tow behind with a hitch and everything but that would have required highway rated tire and it just wasn't worth it. The day that we had to move it I loaded it up in my lifted truck and headed down the freeway. The amount of heads we turned was ridiculous.

And I love the comments guys. If you guys have any more idea for improvement i would love to hear them.

[MrCrowley]

This is a guide on <A HREF="http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/modding ... modding</a> a sprinkler valve.

When you don't need it to shoot water balloons anymore and you want performance, then you could stick a far better valve on it, like a piston or burst disk valve. And you would only need one valve if it's big enough, not 6

[potatoflinger]

@potatoflinger:
A triggered burst disk would be terrible for this. The entire reason for him using the sprinkler valves is that they open slowly enough, and he can time them, so as to have a gradual increase in pressure, to not rupture the balloon. A burst disk cannon would obliterate a balloon... The real increase would come from more timed valves, or a much longer barrel.

I meant after the contest was over and he wasn't launching water balloons any more.

[jr]

erick you have no clue what kind of monster you have built....... with that much air you could do all kinds of mass destruction. Modd your valves... you'll be glad you did!


All in all that is one awsome cannon. And I am verrrry jealous!!!!!!

[Eddbot]

that thing is like a piece of artillery, very nice

[kablooie]

Wow, that cannon is BEASTLY. Very professional, with a longer barrel it would be even more insane, although the problem of where to shoot can be a big one. I have the same problem (on a smaller scale). What happens if you get pulled over with that in the back? lol.

[ericthepoolboy]

Getting pulled over while transporting it was one of my biggest fears so we tarped it and took the barrel off the first time but decided to just show it off to the world the second time. I still wonder what a cop would say if I was to get pulled over with that in the back of the truck and the barrel sticking out 5' from the end of my bed.

[Thursto]

WOW very nice indeed!!!

i like the looks of all the valves, you should have it the whole way down the tank like 6-7 valves on each side so you'd have 12-14 valves :evil2:

that would be totaly INSANE!

but the way it is now its just INSANLEY MASSIVE!!!!

i really like this thing!!

great paintjob and control box adds a great touch(s)

power would signifacanty increase if you had a longer barrel. But with a piston :S i dont know, i've never heard of a 6" pressure rated piston.

~ Thurston

PS. DAMAGE PICS/VIDS!!!!

[frankrede]

This cannon could be easily modified for better performance valve wise, while still retaining electronic ignition.
You would have to mod the valves and use 1/2" or 3/4" sprinkler valves as pilots and use the solenoids on those valves for your electronics.

[ispudder]

which button is the FIRE button?

[MaxuS the 2nd]

Did you read the original post?

There are 6 individual buttons, he can either press individual ones at a time, or as imagine..He can set it to fire all at the same time.