these are vacuformed... so just a plug ... but you can split the plug and make an insertable center section to give 2 different plug options ... just have to watch for possible seams
Did that to make my gearing, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. We want a WINNER, not just something to sell and see a rookie fail. We will make a great kit for the beginner, and then we will look at the more experienced builders. This build is so fricking lite that we are looking at grams and trying to save weight so anyone can build it. What we don't want is a rookie to pass on the fletcher because others have said the gearing is better... Good news is, as they get experience they can gut the fletcher and put the internals into a gearing.
Update: Real life getting in the way, but we are making progress. Solenoid is too heavy with the plugs, so we are going to a poppet setup. Will be making a 3d printed poppet holder, so expect a change next week. Looking at going from the BC micro pump to the other pump (with a few modifications), update on that soon. 3D printed holder as well.
I would think that by the time you add a Poppet, a holder, and a servo you would be very close. What is the weight difference? Love the work you are doing here. Lots of stuff that can be applied to other small builds. Keith
Here is an aluminum option with four set screws holes. Beware though, it oddly only comes with three set screws. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVSEARCH=Aqub7908
Working on the poppet version, this could save over 30 grams and a lot of rookie cash. No solenoid and firing card needed for this version. Prototype:
There is a Futaba microservo that provides plenty of torque to actuate a MAV-2 at 150psig. From Clippard it's 24 oz-in to actuate. Can't remember the model number of the servo but I have one in the shop if anyone is dying to know.
the hobbyking micro servo i had in the shimakaze worked fine on the poppet as well. high tech something something. they are like $6 but do require conformal to be put on.
I'm really enjoying this thread. I'm also working on a lightweight valve suitable for destroyers. I had hoped to have it tested by now, but just have not found the time. Anyway, I've posted my version in the resources section in the hope that it might support the project if you need a back up to your valve.
That is really thinking outside the box. Outstanding! Will download and print to test and provide feedback. This is another example why this forum is so great for the hobby.
That is a really nifty (and as Lou said, "Outside the Box") idea. My only possible issue w/ it is the failsafe mode. With a poppet, default is closed. Pinching the line to the gun for control means default is open. I could see a loss of signal or some other glitch causing your spurt gun DD to have a "mad minute" when you least want it (on the bench, or before battle starts, pointed at friendly, etc)
It would usually be set so that the valve is closed in the neutral position. I'm not sure that really addresses irnuke's concerns. If a glitch causes the servo to turn, it can fire the gun. But that's really no different than a servo actuated poppet. If the servo arm breaks or servo arm screw strips out it will empty your tank quite fast. Personally, I think the barrel safety pin is a very good thing.
The pump holder is in as well, very tight fitting. The black base is glued to the boat hull, the pump slides in. The black small plastic is the hold down (doesn't need much). Assembled
A couple things on the pinched house firing solution. Make sure and have several spares at a battle. Bending plastic over and over and over will at some point cause it to fail. Should be very easy to replace lake side. The ship should be stored with the hose not pinched or the hose will not want to open up fully when the pinch is removed. I would think one point of failure will be a small leak through the hose into the gun. Not enough to fire but enough to hear and leak out all the CO2 in the small tank. A quick listen should be given when air is turned on. If this is used for a single shot gun will the response of unpinch to pinch be fast enough to fire the gun correctly. Slow open/close might cause spurting or double/triple BBs. Less concerned with a spurt gun as it is supposed to spurt. All items that should be able to be worked with to make a good idea a good solution.
Its a start, and if we can get repeated success a boon for the small ship category. possible that it will need to come with the caveat to change the hose between battles or end of the day depending on use. 2016 will be the test year for the Fletcher, an hopefully we will see a lot more interest in the hobby with a cheap "ish" entry boat. As we all know, once you are on the water you are already planning your next super ship.
