Posted 06 August 2008 - 08:20 AM
Alright guys, a small update. There was a wiring problem in my gun; only one battery was really connected. I redid the entire schematics, and will edit in a better version soon. Some good news: The 3-4+ shots per second I was getting for results were just from one battery! After they're both securely connected, it's now more like 6-7+ shots per second! It's scary fast. I'm seriously considering just running the Vulcan off of one battery. To go through a 50 shot chain in 7 seconds is insane and unnecessary.
For those at the war, you might have seen the Vulcan. I had it out early, and it killed itself before we even started. I had it breechless deodorant clipped for the war, but that's not what I'm going to do with it. Anyway, I did figure out the problems.
Mainly, the foam I had used to cushion for impact on the plunger head slid off from the lube and closed up the plunger tube. The solution? Epoxy to make it hold better, and make SURE you clean that plunger head, if not the whole assembly in hot water to make it free from any lube at all. having the entire air passage stopped up made my darts not fire at all.
Also, the plunger tube got really dirty. It got sand in it some how and the lube just grabbed it all. I don't see a permanent solution for this really. I just plan on keeping it clean after every war.
Anyone who remembers me saying that something was rattling around: I left a random part in that I was previously using to tinker around with, but is otherwise unnecessary for the gun to work. It was basically a piece of the removed rotation mechanism that I left in when I was trying to fix it. No harm done there.
To anyone is may concern: With the battery replacement, be very careful not to tug on the wires too hard. It may weaken the connections. As of right now, my ground wire pulled out of my motor circuit and needs to be re-soldered in. So just be careful. I used a small piece of tape (avoid hot glue as it could melt the wire's insulation creating a short [destroying batteries and potentially the motor]) over the wires' exit hole on the inside to minimize their movement.
Here's a serious thought: Keep the AR in. If it doesn't affect ranges, it can't hurt, right? It wouldn't actually help in this case. I have a theory that the two prong AR has something to do with holding the links of the chain, but I'm far from sure on this one. Too late for me anyway. But the pros of leaving it in would be stopping sand, more cushion for impact, helping against dry fires and misfires, and potentially a more consistent firing, if my theory is true.
Teehee.