http://codenamedaedalus.com/2009/10/22/the-first-of-many/ Crafting Wings Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:47:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://codenamedaedalus.com/2009/10/22/the-first-of-many/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Aaron Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:47:11 +0000 http://daedalus.hackr.net/?p=18#comment-46 woops; I meant it only filled up two 30 gram balloons, for a total of 60 grams. woops; I meant it only filled up two 30 gram balloons, for a total of 60 grams.

]]> http://codenamedaedalus.com/2009/10/22/the-first-of-many/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Aaron Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:45:49 +0000 http://daedalus.hackr.net/?p=18#comment-45 I'm dealing with the helium price tag as well. I've purchased the el-cheap-o Balloon Time canisters at Wal*Mart, but they literally only filled up two 60-gram balloons. I'm trying out a 200 gram balloon for my first payload, and I bought two so if I need it I'll have 400 grams of "balloonage" :-). This weekend, I tried and suceeded in making my own hydrogen! It's not that difficult to make, but certain precautions must be taken. There are several benefits to hydrogen vs. helium...for one, it has more lift capability than helium...also, it is far cheaper to obtain. I have been successful with making it on a small scale and filling smaller balloons, however, when trying to fill a 36" weather balloon it was impossible to both use the ice-water bath (to keep the heat from the reaction from getting out of hand), and keep things from getting too slippery to seal off the balloon. I'd get the balloon halfway filled up, and then my hands would slip and half the air would go out...at some point, the sodium hydroxide would also start eating away at the latex, so I need to set up a kind of apparatus to keep them separate...I think I've figured it out and will let everyone know. Also, be sure to stay away from ALL sources of flame and spark (no smoking, lol) and do this OUTSIDE. Failure to be extremely careful will likely result in injury or potential death....anyway as I get this figured out, I'll tell everyone how I did it. With a nearly unlimited & cheap form of hydrogen, we should be able to build some really nice unmanned balloons. I’m dealing with the helium price tag as well. I’ve purchased the el-cheap-o Balloon Time canisters at Wal*Mart, but they literally only filled up two 60-gram balloons. I’m trying out a 200 gram balloon for my first payload, and I bought two so if I need it I’ll have 400 grams of “balloonage” :-). This weekend, I tried and suceeded in making my own hydrogen! It’s not that difficult to make, but certain precautions must be taken. There are several benefits to hydrogen vs. helium…for one, it has more lift capability than helium…also, it is far cheaper to obtain. I have been successful with making it on a small scale and filling smaller balloons, however, when trying to fill a 36″ weather balloon it was impossible to both use the ice-water bath (to keep the heat from the reaction from getting out of hand), and keep things from getting too slippery to seal off the balloon. I’d get the balloon halfway filled up, and then my hands would slip and half the air would go out…at some point, the sodium hydroxide would also start eating away at the latex, so I need to set up a kind of apparatus to keep them separate…I think I’ve figured it out and will let everyone know. Also, be sure to stay away from ALL sources of flame and spark (no smoking, lol) and do this OUTSIDE. Failure to be extremely careful will likely result in injury or potential death….anyway as I get this figured out, I’ll tell everyone how I did it. With a nearly unlimited & cheap form of hydrogen, we should be able to build some really nice unmanned balloons.

]]> http://codenamedaedalus.com/2009/10/22/the-first-of-many/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Scott Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:44:50 +0000 http://daedalus.hackr.net/?p=18#comment-2 I'm outside Chicago and doing this project as well. So far I've collected the phone, boostmobile phone plan, parachute, camera, duracell charger and cooler. I bought two duracell chargers if you want to give me cost for it. I need the balloon and helium. Thanks for the info on the balloon. I wish they had a forum, email me if you want: skreyer #a.t# gmail ,c0m I’m outside Chicago and doing this project as well. So far I’ve collected the phone, boostmobile phone plan, parachute, camera, duracell charger and cooler. I bought two duracell chargers if you want to give me cost for it. I need the balloon and helium. Thanks for the info on the balloon. I wish they had a forum, email me if you want: skreyer #a.t# gmail ,c0m

]]>