How To Fuel Combustion Cannons & Diagnose Problems - NightHawkInLight

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Let me know how you like this video! A little more focus on education than entertainment for this one. A big thanks to my Patreon supporters! www.patreon.com/NightHawkProjects Check out the latest video from Cody's Lab which was in response to a comment I made on one of his earlier videos presenting a challenge to test recoil's effect on muzzle velocity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZfLl5Jnipuhb8U You can find all of the projects I mention in this video in my DIY Ballistics playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL1a2HkcVbmAXIlvlmv6UOJaf3D7pBC9-t

[@r1w3d]

where's Cody to watch this vid? :) both of you are awesome. stay awesome👍

[@bigfootandbananaman4746]

NightHawkInLight hello

[@Aeder42]

Loved the narration you did with yourself in front of the camera, was very natural!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Talking numbers would have been a waste of time because the amount of fuel delivered by various methods is going to vary wildly be be largely unmeasurable. Trial and error is by far the fastest method to find what will work consistently in the future.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thanks! I'm still getting used to it.

[@theCodyReeder]

5:40 I've used engine starting fluid, works like a charm without any residue! just dont try to use it with a shot of pure oxygen from a torch; I broke my wrist doing that...

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+Cody'sLab the problem with starting fluid is it's known to have a faster pressure spike than most fuels which in a cannon made from brittle PVC can cause a shock rupture. In aluminum/copper things like that it should be fine. No o2 of course as you experienced, heh.

[@theCodyReeder]

If only someone would have told that to 12 year old me; maybe I wouldn't have put some in a fire piston and thus would now have one fewer scars.

[@Brianwiz]

Cody'sLab hi Cody, I love your channel and what you do. You have really inspired me to get into chemistry. Thanks so much for doing what you do. 😄😀😄

[@dupf]

Love u cody and nighthawk

[@Papperlapappmaul]

+Cody'sLab Wait, you've put starting fluid and pure oxygen into a fire piston and ignited that mixture the same way you usually use a fire piston?! How do you still have two hands?

[@noobslayer7564]

You're so articulate and good at explaining things. What a wonderful video

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thank you!

[@bbuildingmarch7060]

i think it's his voice

[@josephgauthier5018]

car starting fluid is a pretty good fuel too. Personally, I tend to get the 50% ether blends.

[@littleship2473]

i appreciate that you recommended codys vidios cause i checked them out last time you mentioned him and now I am a fan of what you guys do

[@ElectricGeckos]

I came from Cody's lab, looks like your doing some cool stuff with tutorials. Also, your voice reminded me of How it's Made in How To Make a DIY Tornado Machine. :) I will be sticking around.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thanks!

[@ElectricGeckos]

No problem man, and you replied fast.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Love how you speak so slowly and clearly. I really should try doing that in my videos haha

[@balance_one]

That's so cool you gave a shout out to Cody's Lab. You guys do remind me of each other quite often. It would be the best to see you two standing on the Martian surface someday, shaking hands and looking back at how much you've learned and accomplished.

[@HouseholdHacker]

Awesome information.

[@idrinkwaterdaily]

hey!!!!!

[@omarberbera3337]

omg its householdhacker love ur vids

[@dragonfireproductions790]

Rest in peace mate

[@hunterbean7953]

great video, the description of why each fuel works best for each project really helps for other dyi projects.

[@ROBwithaB]

Simple explanation. Well done. Enough bangs and flames during the course of the video to keep it interesting. Thanks, Prof. (And I think that traditionally the opposite of "rich" would be "lean".)

[@TommyCallaway]

Love this video! I used what I learned from you (and backyardscientist) in my own propane cannon build. You rock man.

[@somethingelse2lookat502]

Very informative. And I'm realizing I missed some of your videos. Here we go down the rabbit hole... Will check out Cody's lab as well.

[@pigwarts]

Haha, I already subscribe to Cody and had his new video queued up when I was watching this one. Great channel.

[@Boomer8404]

I use a propane camp stove cylinder to fuel my potato cannon. With it, I take the straw tube from and air duster can and wrap or end with electrical tape to increase its diameter. This can then be slid into the center hole where the valve is on the propane cylinders flange, and when you push the tube into the valve it will release the propane gas. It took a little practice for timing, but a couple of quick squirts is enough to provide a good air/fuel mix for ignition.

[@AllChemystery]

i use a party air horn as fuel the can contains dimethyl ether. it works quite well with just a little spray. since it is entirely gas there is no residues leftover. also having a computer cooling fan inside the chamber can aid good mixing- i have not tested it but have seen one in action.

[@buckwheat7424]

I found that starting fluid (ether) in the larger potato launcher/drain unplugger works consistently well, and to understand that much like a internal combustion engine, at first while cold it does take a "richer" air mixture to fire, and once it's been repeatedly operating, then it takes a leaner shot.

[@stephensimmons2595]

Starter Fuel is ether could be used a propellant, Also check out stoichiometric ratio tables for the ratio of pounds of fuel per pounds of air for best burn.

[@Memes-XD]

you look happy as shit! you might be the only person who smiles that much, i love it

[@ArcaneCookie]

lol

[@jesusdanielhernandez6304]

Vortex Cannon looks badass, I'm gonna check it out after this

[@octavio2895]

3:00 I think that mist is mostly water vapor. Some of it comes from combustion and some from the sudden compression of air.

[@yourayneeum6964]

The mist you can see exting the muzzle of the alcohol rockets isn't actually excess isopropanol. It is more likely to be water vapour forced out of the air by the shock of the explosion.

[@shanurrahman7614]

Cody's lab suggested you.nice work

[@tequilamokkingbyrd2016]

I experienced pretty much the worst failure possible, my uncle and I used 2 sec of Yellow Mapp Gas and 4 sec burst of a Red Oxygen Tank from a cheap cutting torch kit. Getting Back on track we were launching mortars left from the 4th of July, 1st attempt didn't ignite the mixture so the mortar blew the tube apart. 2nd try was sketchy at best, the sparks from the mortar caused ignition as I was dropping it into tube. 3rd attempt was successful do to a change of ignition source,this time we used a (harbor freight tazer)500k volts. Guarantee to ignite your fuel mix when needed. There was a 6ft blue flame out the tube and 3sec later a (wabooom). 2nd design much better it launched Estes Hobby Rockets from a rail on top of tube or straight from the tube.

[@thesnowman16]

I was sent by Cody. love your video man.

[@trevorchouinard7474]

Thanks! This will help my pop bottle launcher reliability. Now I just need to figure out alcohol powered pulse jet fuel/air ratios along with jar/hole size.

[@PureChaos69]

Great explanation! Also, I was thinking, perhaps using your propane "Pop" gun, a barrel could be added to the front of the soda bottle, to allow for ammunition, like airsoft BB's or darts! Just a thought! Leaving the soda bottle on, may allow for a better pop, to propel the ammunition, and provide enough oxygen, to achieve the popping.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yep, that could work!

[@morlanius]

Hi, just thought I would say that your content looks pretty cool and that Cody sent me.

[@neilkirkley1500]

just a suggestion, bout the "lighting the end if the botttle to check the fuel/air mix" you might want to point out that occasionally, if the bottle is angled downwards, doing this can cause a jet of flame to shoot out of the end of the bottle wich I know from personal experience can cause serious burns.

[@armathalmighty1318]

Thank you scientific Shia La boef.

[@bloodsweatandtearsforeverl9833]

I have a theory, you can measure how much you need with fluid, for example the stoichiometric ratio of propane is around 16-1, fill the combustion chamber with water, take out the water and measure it, divide that by 16, and whatever number you get is the size you need to get the perfect amount evrey time, you would need a separate chamber that size to fill then dump into the combustion chamber

[@Yonatan24]

You look WAY more comfortable speaking in front of the video now! :)

[@Patte]

I reproduced the bottle launcher you showed in one of your videos.. and I had the same problem with the fuel/air mixture.. Isopropanol wasn't working at all.. Best starter for me was a little bit of hairspray in the bottle.. I'm german so the upper text could be full of mistakes.. sorry for that..

[@The_Osprey]

CodysLab brought me here.

[@xpertgrenadierist]

I have watched a few videos testing fuels and personally have only used Starter Fluid. Is there a reason you have found that caused you to avoid Starter Fluid? I've noticed with my canon's large chamber, only a fraction of a second worth of spray is enough to power a reaction, with some left over. Literally, as short of a burst as I can spray, is all that is required. This seems like a more efficient, and cheaper by the can, option. Thoughts?

[@finnaginfrost6297]

For the aerosol spray immediately over saturating a small combustion chamber, could you direct only a part of the spray cone into the container, which could (for example) half the amount of fuel added per second, doubling the time during which the stoichiometry is correct?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Sure, that could work. It's just a little wasteful and might be hard to stay consistent with how much you get in the bottle.

[@finnaginfrost6297]

Very true

[@shock6990]

You explained it so well!

[@mikedang3613]

Came from Cody's Lab, excellent videos! Also, you look like Ted Cruz.

[@soulhunter0]

Could you do a video showing how did you make that combustion chamber igniter? Or have you already did and is uploaded into your channel? Thanks for your neat and informative videos.

[@gmng4207]

This what I was looking for

[@billymonday8388]

hi nice video but what about the parabolic mirrors you showed us in previous videos. I think it would be nice to take this project further

[@locouk]

I've found the Air Duster aerosols are a flammable gas, would they be better for Air cannon projects?

[@declan.tucker8723]

I like your hypothesis

[@ThisFish888]

Have you ever tried starting fluid (diethyl ether, for starting engines)as a propelant in your cannon? Seems like it would be perfect.

[@erikmakipaa9226]

I like how your eyebrows are tilted the way that you look lil worried or skeptical

[@drumadude28]

5:09 was so helpful

[@williamforbes6919]

Butane fuel cans are really cheap and easy to acquire at Walmart, tons of fuel per can! I currently am using it as an autogenously pressurized fuel for a butane and ammonium perchlorate hybrid rocket engine.

[@helidodge]

Great video, informative. Cody sent me

[@helidodge]

Oh and subbed

[@christianainsworth8821]

For fucks sake it's someone who can explain. Thank you sir. Completely unrelated but this guy could have came in the 4th quarter, ( no one ever heard of him) and won the presidential debate. You should run for pres, I feel like American needs one of the good ole Bois

[@MilanDupal]

Hi thanks for your excellent videos! What brand/type is your propane torch? I would like to purchase similar for my workshop...

[@Nighthawkinlight]

My torch is a Bernzomatic TS8000

[@MilanDupal]

thanks

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Very good info! 🤓👍🏼

[@mike_aglione1132]

Huh, thats funny. Cody said the same thing about you in his video. Are you guys old friends?? Either way, really cool stuff. Cant wait to see more.

[@mdkanon]

Thank you for the help...

[@SpecificLove7]

Very informative

[@scottlund4562]

NightHawnLight, could you develope an automated pressurized intravenous aerosol/buteral system that delivers oxygen to Cody'sLab if there is a miscalculation the next time he drinks cyanide?

[@antonnpn9063]

Cody and Householdhacker, Hello fellows

[@Jesses001]

I find non chlorinated brake cleaner works very good as a fuel. I can get some good pressures with it, and it does not leave any residue behind. Make sure it is non chlorinated though. Chlorinated brake cleaner is not flammable...though the propellant may be so be careful with that anyway. Chlorinated brake cleaner is tetrachloroethylene and methylene chloride.

[@nathan471]

Great video!

[@ToastyBoy17]

I really love your hair

[@villiers1]

just and idea would you be able to make an acetylene cannon? for a future projects

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+villiers 1 Acetylene is too dangerous as a propellant.

[@villiers1]

Very true i'm making a small scale acetylene cannon (not in plastic) ill let you know how it goes lol. Great content by the way love your videos :)

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Even in metal I would at least avoid using oxygen with the acetylene...

[@villiers1]

this is true, the amount of volume in the chamber is so small it should get a good bang but not too much that it will blow it up, ill be remote firing it for the first time and behind a screen! im not using acetylene from a bottle as over here its very costly and you have to rent a bottle you can never own one so ill be using the calcium carbide and water principle.

[@roehle9962]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@mikelachney2812]

didnt think this would be as useful as it is

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Cool, what did you find most useful?

[@Retroweld]

Good stuff!

[@Samaker]

0:39 Damn that's cool

[@benrobert914]

You need to be a narrator with that voice

[@ScrewCrafty]

I liked this a lot

[@carlfranzabarquez4359]

can i petrol gas used in cars, if not the best be a better option as a fuel for the cannon?

[@Se7enAte]

I made a potato gun and used 91% alcohol for fuel. We put it in a spray bottle and about 3 sprays we found to be perfect. After every shot we used a shop vac to empty out excess fuel, then 3 more sprays and another potato

[@cookiesw9270]

Se7enAte nice

[@MCchomper]

Could you make a Venturi for an spray can for this purpose?

[@darius70]

What camera do you use?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

For this video I used a Sony FS700

[@redneckrussian2596]

I personally use an Idaho potato or an ipod nano.

[@edibletwix]

what about solid fuel? what does it look like and what's it's benefits?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Solid fuel like gunpowder contains all the oxygen it needs to burn in solid form, so it doesn't require being in any specific measurement as compared to air for it to work properly. It works very well which is why it's used in bullets and actual military cannons. Unfortunately it can be dangerous and in certain circumstances illegal to use for DIY projects.

[@jakea.b.2092]

He looks like a really happy lumberjack gnome.

[@Coolgoy69]

if you were to use hydrogen with a good fuel to oxygen ratio would the bottle simply explode?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yes, using any fuel along with concentrated oxygen causes it to burn too rapidly to be contained in most anything. Doing so is dangerous.

[@themeparkguy2525]

I’m working on a fueling system for a potato cannon that takes a liquid based propellant and pushes it through a spray nozzle into the chamber. Any advice?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yeah, I wouldn't use a liquid fuel. Easier to use gas, and less danger of the fuel spilling and causing a fire.

[@themeparkguy2525]

NightHawkInLight What is the chance of the flame in the combustion chamber reaching the fuel source through the nozzle?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Very small. The danger is in liquid fuel leaking/spilling from the fuel source, or pooling in the chamber where it could spill on the user upon firing.

[@themeparkguy2525]

NightHawkInLight okay thanks. I made a similar potato pistol using rubbing alcohol and learned how to get the fuel mixed correctly. I think if I use a peristaltic pump to push the fuel from the bottle through the nozzle into the chamber I should be safe.

[@dashefier]

hey to any science guy out there, would it be possible to use the repulsive force of magnets to launch a projectile

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Sure. It just takes really, really strong magnets/electromagnets to actually fire something with a good amount of force.

[@dashefier]

NightHawkInLight doesn't that sound like a good project that you should do?

[@seal_snipper9421]

I have a question I've got a good mixture of alcohol and air and and a spark. But its still no works what could it be???

[@Nighthawkinlight]

+seal_snipper 4528 If you're sure you have a good fuel mix then you probably have a weak spark. The gap needs to be smaller or the wires to the igniter shortened, or the igniter is just worn out.

[@seal_snipper9421]

NightHawkInLight thank you 👍👍👍👍

[@ferntheyoutuber9960]

U got a cool voice. It almost sounds like two voices saying the same thing.

[@thatcodexking7559]

you should shoot neon bodel rockes

[@francisfortunato7890]

i like your "in this video" hahaha

[@matthewroberts3442]

cool videos

[@oxidize3]

Atta boi Cody

[@WastedDad]

what about butane and torch

[@CW0513]

Am I the only one who thinks NightHawk looks like Ted Cruz with a beard and better hair?

[@ScumHole]

CW0513 he's like a combination of Ted Cruz and CodysLab

[@marcoabduarte]

Cody is Bae

[@greenlemon9155]

personally i use HHO gaz

[@savagewildebeest]

Unfortunately, I'm a broke college student or else I'd become a patreon supporter...

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Hey no problem! Thanks for watching

[@dalebaker6948]

imma need to build a motorcycle car mounted hot dog cooking realistic looking "howitzer" that makes a loud but muffled steam filled bang and even recoils the "gun" and cooks the hot dog all at the same time...

[@jellyfish.o4404]

mine won’t light the alcohol (airsoft mine) is the spark not strong enough. Everything is set up it won’t light. I tried heating it different levels of alcohol. Basically everything

[@Nighthawkinlight]

You need at least 91% alcohol and 60f temperture. If the spark is bright blue that means there's too much fuel in the chamber and it needs more air.

[@GobbleGobble571]

more videos!!!

[@yyhaoyue]

we have the same thumbs !!!

[@eon1166]

What?

[@FerdySmith]

....how?....

[@thepunisher3597]

starter fluid... ETHER FTW

[@drink15]

Almost look like a different person in the outro.

[@kkendall99]

I'm confused, should I be thanking you for not charging me for watching this video? I came here on the recommendation of Cody. Is this one of those channels where if you want to see the real deal you have to fork over your hard earned cash??

[@Nighthawkinlight]

All my videos are free to watch. That was a note for my Patreon supporters.

[@noahturkie5544]

GO FAYGO WOOT yeah Michigan!

[@robmckennie4203]

Has anyone ever tried rigging up a carb from a lawn mower or small mtorocycle to generate a flammable gas mixture to fuel a cannon?

[@bobbypatton4903]

Rob Mckennie the combustion chamber would need to be under vacuum for that to work

[@robmckennie4203]

Bobby Patton I don't see a reason you couldn't set it up with an inlet and an outlet, and then draw the mixture in with a vacuum cleaner or something similar. I also suspect that you could put a blower on the air intake of the carb.

[@Jl4zio]

I have been thinking of this design for awhile. Can't use gasoline in a pvc system. Gas weakens the plastic too much. could use a rubbing alcohol and increase the jet size accordingly. and yes a suck through system would charge it fine. while a blow through may need some adjustments as most carbs are designed to work on vacuum and if pressurized will leak fuel everywhere

[@bobbypatton4903]

In my opinion it's too complex and really no more accurate than adding the fuel directly

[@robmckennie4203]

Bobby Patton "too complex", see: fun

[@stevez2158]

I used a propane torch to make a potato gun and the back pressure from the blast broke the torch nozzle.

[@stevez2158]

No visible damage, but there was internal damage.

[@RickBoat]

Too large a chamber.

[@HaydenLau.]

You sound like Ryan Haywood

[@goldenduck7294]

I filled a tall candle with isopropyl alcohol and lit it(:

[@2451star]

lighter fluid is good, but expensive

[@tblbaby]

Whenever I exercise caution, it just pisses it off ... Sally

[@fabianstahlberg6808]

How old r u? u look like 25 but already have grey hair

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Nearly 27, but I've had gray hair since I was 18.

[@fabianstahlberg6808]

U're awesome