The M480 - Crowley goes Hybrid [Update 24/01/10]

[MrCrowley]

I've finally done it, I've built a bloody hybrid. And boy am I glad I did so.
I built this thinking it was just a more efficient way of reaching high pressures with a valve that delivers pure performance. But I did not expect this kind of performance.

I built this over the last week, using parts I had previously bought for a hybrid but had never got round to actually finishing the damn thing. I'm really happy with how it turned out and I suggest that if you feel you are capable of making one these, go for it. Once you understand the science, they're great.

I've tried up to an 8x mix, will eventually go more when I get round to it.
I've modified the union by grinding off the lip as I was having sealing issues. Now this seals with anything i've tried so far: foil, plastic and soft drink cans.

Specifications:
Chamber: Various 1.25" fittings
Chamber Volume: 480ml (as of 21/01/10, 463ml)
Fuel Meter Volume: 35ml (as of 21/01/10, 26.6ml)
Fuel: MAPP Gas
Ignition: 100,000v stungun
Operating Mixes: 4x-10x
Barrel: 20mm x 1000mm and 15mm x 1300mm copper barrels.
Union Size: 3/4"
Burst Disk Material: metal disks cut from disposable cooking trays.
MAPP Fuel Meter Pressure For 1x Mix: 10PSI (as of 21/01/10, 13PSI).

Upgrades:
Remote igntion...would be nice

Latest Video (24/01/10):
[youtube][/youtube]

Test firing:
[youtube][/youtube]

Damage Video:
[youtube][/youtube]

[inonickname]

Nice, about time! Not to large either..

Update us when you have done some damage..

Good work

[LCTChamp]

Nice hybrid! I can't wait to see same damage pics/videos. I'll probably start working on my hybrid in the next couple weeks.

[FishBoy]

Nice, now get us some damage pics! I actually looks a lot like mine, but slightly smaller.

[Ragnarok]

Neat. Nice simple design - nothing more complex than it has to be, which should keep it relatively maintenance free... but, presumably, still powerful.

Still that doesn't mean you expect me to be rushing after you to build a hybrid any time soon though. Just doesn't appeal right now.

Now, as you can probably guess, I too would love to see some damage pictures or videos.
Just don't get in a fight with your neighbours to bring us such material though!

[Carlman]

nice work mate! Cant wait till the damage! like allready said nice and simple

[frankrede]

Nice!Looks great

Reminds me of that period of time when there were alot of small diameter hybrids being posted on this site, you know back when spudblaster15 used to post.

[suburban spudgunner]

Nice. Can't wait to see the damage.

[starman]

Compact and well laid out unit there. Are you planning to hand hold it while firing?

Does this mean you have been seduced to the combustion dark side...? Now, we need to get Rag on the combustion/hybrid route...where's that Darth Vader guy.........

[Combustion Monkey]

Very clean. I think that was the nudge I needed to get my half done hybrid finished.

[Ragnarok]

Now, we need to get Rag on the combustion/hybrid route...

They don't really appeal because of the extra attention they need before firing (burst disc, venting and fuelling, some of which are fairly precise processes, and all of which are time consuming) unlike a pneumatic which is essentially "add some air".

Now, I do have a couple of plans for hybrids in my ideas folder. I'd very much like to build them, but they would require machined parts, which is what's stopping me getting involved with them at this point. These designs are designed to "fix" the problems with hybrids, making almost all the processes automatic, so that the user doesn't have to bother with it.

Indeed, the best of the ideas would actually be capable of going fully automatic to about 1500 rpm, which (as far as I know) would make it the fastest cycling launcher out there* - be it pneumatic, combustion or hybrid. Which would be cool - but like I said, I don't currently have the resources to make these things.

*Before anyone says "But BBMGs are faster", BBMGs don't cycle.

[mark.f]

Nice one Crowley!

It does remind me of that time whenever people were building small hybrids left and right. I guess you're just a little late building it.

[jonnyboy]

Nice hybrid, I think yesterday some people were talking about how you should make one. Why do you call it the m480?

1500 rpm, which (as far as I know) would make it the fastest cycling launcher out there

I'm not sure if this counts as cycling but jsr got his blow forward breach to cycle fast enough that it couldn't load ammo. I'm not sure what the exact rpm was or if it was even calculated.

@rag
Are you talking about a 1500 rpm combustion or hybrid? Designing a burst disk holder that will work at 1500 rpm sounds tricky. Maybe you should talk to larda he could make it on your behalf...besides who wouldn't want an automatic hybrid?

[MrCrowley]

Thanks for the comments everyone

Nice one Crowley!

It does remind me of that time whenever people were building small hybrids left and right. I guess you're just a little late building it.

Yeah, that's when I started to plan this more or less. It's very difficult to get anything other then a 1/4" nipple or a 1/2"-1/4" male adapter in brass in NZ, so I had trouble keeping my fuel meter on the small side. Thankfully tapping the gauge into a 1/2" tee worked.

Compact and well laid out unit there. Are you planning to hand hold it while firing?

Does this mean you have been seduced to the combustion dark side...? Now, we need to get Rag on the combustion/hybrid route...where's that Darth Vader guy.........

I'll probably hold it for 4x mixes and work on something more remote for 7x mixes. The cannon can either be held like shown in the pictures, or laid flat so it doesn't really matter


Possibly, I do have to say that the feeling of it actually working was similar to that of my first piston valve. Combustions are just so much more expensive to make, just because of their large diameter fittings will cost me about $20USD each, if not more.

Reminds me of that period of time when there were alot of small diameter hybrids being posted on this site, you know back when spudblaster15 used to post.

Yeah I got a lot of inspiration from SB15 and his designs, the Hybrid Fueling 101 helped a lot also.

Nice hybrid, I think yesterday some people were talking about how you should make one. Why do you call it the m480?

First name I thought of. The M stands for MAPP gas and the 480, for the volume of the chamber.

[Ragnarok]

@jonnyboy: It's designed as a hybrid - and who said it used burst discs?